BISHOP JENNER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2565, 25 March 1869, Page 3

BISHOP JENNER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sin—May I ask you to publish the accompanying letter which appears in the Guardian of January 15,1865. It was called forth by the publication in England of the report of a meeting of the Rural Deanery Board of Otago and Southland, convened for the special purpose of considering the report made by Mr Carr Young to the Rev E. G. Edwards on the subject of Bishop Jenner. Ihe resolution agreed to at that meeting, after long consideration of the whole correspondence between Mr Young and the Bishop, concludes in these words:—" Having read the Bishop of Dunedin's letter to his Dean, dated the Ist July last, which, in effect, emphatically disavows any such intention (namely, to introduce changes), this Board does not feel justified in the face of that assurance in endeavouring to dissuade the Bishop from undertaking the charge of his See."

The minority afterwards proposed a resolution requesting the Bishops of New Zealand and of Christchurch to endeavour to complete the endowment in England," that when the new Bishop arrives be may have sufficient maintenance." Bishop Schvyn's letter, November 28, 18G8, says distinctly that Bishop Jcnncr's declaration of obedience to the General Synod is entered on the minutes of the Managing Commission of the New Zealand Church signed as Bishop of Dunedin. Your obedient servant.

Sir:,—l cannot but fear, from w!:nt I read, that my old and dear friend the Bishop of Dunedin is misjudged by many persons; and I wish, without entering into the elaborate correspondence aud proceedings which have arisen, and without blaming any one, great or small, to call attention to several facts :

1. Whatever irregularity there may have been in the mode of appointment, the Bishop had nothing to do with it. The offer was made to him by the highest authority, and simply accepted. 2. There was not, and could not have been, any concealment on his part either of principles or of tastes. He was well known in the diocese of Canterbury as having been curate to Mr P. Mur-

ray, and to Dr Mill at Brasted; and subsequently by his marked line, when Minor Canon of Canterbury. He was known also by his connection with societies and publications'which promoted Catholic music and hymnology. He was known all through Kent, and far beyond it, as Precentor of the Choral Union.-He could not have disguised his view's if he wished. . But those who know him know also that it would have been still more impossible for him to wish such a thing as concealment. The Bishop's character is transparent. Truth, candour, joyful openness and fearlessness shine in his face, and sound in every accent of his voice. If he tried to dissemble, he could not. Neither could he try. His self, which is truth, expresses itself in truth. 3. This ought to assure people that he will certainly keep his repeated promises to force his dreaded views upon no man. 4. But the diocese has a guarantee antecedent to these promises—namely, the Bishop's gentleness and consideration for others.

Painful as the discussions have been, I can forgive them all for having elicited those golden words in his letter of the 28th:- " Whereas my own taste lies to a great extent in the aesthetics of divine worship, I think I am hound to be very watchful, lest by indulging this taste to the disregard of the prejudices of others, I should fatally offend those among whom I _ am appointed to minister. On this principle I should feel it my duty to abstain from many tilings which I should otherwise think it desirable to introduce, so that, no vital doctrine were involved." How few are there who are thus on their guard against themselves, and who restrain themselves within themselves out of charity! The fact is, if I may let out the secret, that the real danger to the Bishop's opponents lies in-his loving and loveable character. He will win them in spite of themselves.

A few years hence, if God wills, and many will be ashamed of their present vexation and cowardice, and will be thankful that their opposition did not prevail to the hindrance of a blessed work in Christ's Church; and to the discouragement of that fearless conduct which is so essential to the office of

a Bishop. W. E. Heygate. Southend, Essex, January 11,18C7.

P.s.—Should any persons fancy that the Bishop is an unpractical man, aud lost in aesthetics, I would, observe that they would have soon changed their minds had they seen him in his parish cricket-field, or keeping the daily school of Preston for six months without the help of a master; or had they seen him, as I have done, with the village lads seated around on the lawn after service on Sunday, listening to him as he read to them, and supplied them with innocent pleasures and improving thoughts. He is thoroughly practical.