CHAPTER IV
THE DEAN OF MANCHESTER
The Very Rev. Edward Craig Maclure, D.D.
A MODERN DIOCESE AMONG THE TEXTILE WORKERS.
“Life must always be a compromise between common-sense and the ideal—the one abating nothing of its demands, the other accommodating itself to what is practicable and real.”—Amiel.
Bradlaugh's Testimonial—A Dean opposed to Party Spirit in Church Affairs—Prayer-Book or Comprehensive Churchman—Broad Views engender Criticism—Scion of a Well-Known Lancashire Family—The Brothers Maclure: One decides for the Ministry, the other for Commerce and Politics—Goes to Oxford with Scholarship—Rows for Brasenose, Head of the River—Ordained by Dr Pepys—At St Pancras, Curate to a subsequent Dean of Lichfield—Back in Lancashire—Leaves Burnley for Rochdale—Makes His Mark as an Educationist and Parish Priest—The Rewards: Appointed Hon. Canon, Rural Dean, Archdeacon and Dean, the Last Two within a Fortnight—A Curious Jumble: represented as Grandson of His Nephew and Son of His Younger Brother—Great on School Board Work—Manchester Protestants protest against Ritualistic Tendencies—Dean stands Firm—Church and Labour—Unyielding though Friendly Attitude towards Dissenters—Thomas de la Warre's Contribution to the Church in Lancashire—The Brothers Maclure and the Restoration of “Th' Owd Collegiate Church”—Establishment of the New Diocese—Insufficient Clergy to cope with
73
