ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 259, 31 October 1919, Page 7

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

(To the Editor.) J Sir, —Although not a parishioner, and t therefore fully recognising that I am;'l running the risk of being accused of s "butting in," I am, however, a citizen of , Auckland, and as St. Matthew', has a always been considered a citizen', church, ] I take my chance of whatever censure ( may be hurled at mc. The news appearing that the Rev. Jasper Calder was not nominated for the vicarship is to mc, as I daresay it is to hundreds of ( others, a blunder, as well as a poor 1 return for the splendid wort achieved ! by him in recent years. Who, I ask, has j been responsible for the full church every j Sunday evening, the very atmosphere of ' which does one good on entering (and I attend fairly often), the hearty congregational singing, and. the good sermon. •; Well, sir, the bulk of these large congre- ! gatione attend because they like the curate; he talks to and touches them in , a homely yet convincing style, with a i result that "he who runs may —I I am, etc., ; F. J. WHITTAKER (To the Editor) Sir, —It is not quite clear from your ; columns whether the Bishop and his two , nominators or the St. Matthew's Vestry are responsible for the unhappy situa- '. tion which has arisen with regard to the much-desired appointment of the Rev. Jasper Caider. On the one hand I will not readily believe that the Bishop will ruthlessly oppose the genuine wishes of the real and regular worshippers of the church. On the other 'hand, if the Vestry are not entirely unanimous onthe subject, then a section of them is taking up the position of a government who would force some legislation on the country immediately after the people had declared against it by referendum —and by an overwhelming majority at that. This is a question not of personalities, but it involves the violation of a great democratic principle. I am well aware that this principle has not Obtained so far in the Anglican Church, hut one may safely say that the time has now arrived when it must do so. I hope the decision will not be arrived at hastily, because it is obvious to all thoughtful people that this decision will be "recorded as a precedent." Now sir, St. Matthew's is the People's : church, Mr. Calder is- the People's parson, - and the "Star" is the People's paper; need I say more.—l am, etc, |l E. A. DUNCAN. i '"'Church Member," writing on this ' subject, says:—-"I care nothing for the letter of the Church Law on the subject i of appointments, but at least lit should not prevent the proper authorities from , falling in with the wishes of the regular J congregation. It seems to mc that no one should know hetter than the local > church members which clergyman is . best suited to the reeds of the people."