PLAIN TALK FROM THE PULPIT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 232, 30 September 1902, Page 3

PLAIN TALK FROM THE PULPIT.

(By Telegraph.-Own Correspondent)

HAMILTON, -this, day;;

The Rev. H. D. A. Major preached a farewell sermon in -St 7' Peter** ' Church on Sunday night.' He expressed his intention of speaking plainly, and said the chief weaknesses "of those taking a leading part in Church: matters were narrowness" jaaid ex* clusiveness, and if they wished th* Church to prosper an (alteration would have to be made. They would have to be inclusive not exclusive. Exclusion seemed to have betTi. the avowed intention of a certain see*, tion of church people here, and. had produced most . disastrous ... effects. They not only deterred- many from becoming good churchmen, but. Introduced strife with most damaging results. They should get rid of petty scrupulosity, and welcome all who would take an interest in church. work. There also existed a social exclusiveness which was much to be deplored. He denounced political intrigue, and said Church ini_ttter« should be separated from local polities. Intriguers in the past had tried to use the church for political ends, and had used it to' harm a politdeal opponent. Factiousness had also been shown by a minority, who endeavoured to thrust their views on the majority after the latter had expressed '.their opinions in a constitutional manner. When the minority determined to fight to the bitter end tljley (created disgust amongst church people, weakened the Church, and disgraced It.in the eyes Of every. Christian body. Unless these weaknesses were uprooted, no matter what his successor's physical _, efficiency might be, nothing but bitter disappointment could be looked- forward to. When it came to his turn to leave he might have been hasty aud wanting in charity, but be asked forgiveness for his shortcomings, and expressed an earnest hope that in the future better feelings would .prevail •than in the past ■ . —» '■ *.