CIRCULAR LETTER FROM BISHOP GRIMES.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10538, 27 December 1899, Page 6

CIRCULAR LETTER FROM BISHOP GRIMES.

His Lordsrhip Bishop Grimee hns addressed a circular letter to his clergy und people on tiro subject of the war and the .Patriotic Fund. In the course of this letter, he writes:—"lt were needless, even were it possible, to go into the origin of that fearful war. A* far as we can judge with the facts before vi?. the Home Government were forced to take up arms in defence of the outraged rights of those whom they were bound to protect." What we do know with «ad certainty is that thousands of our own kith and kin are now fighting at the call of theii Queen and country to defend those rights. We know, too, that many have been struck down on the field of battle whilst nobly doing their fluty. Many a home will be desofute, many a father or mother, sister ol brother, relative or friend will be cast down with the deepest affliction this holy season. Hhall not our hearte go out to them in eorrow and sympathy in the midst of their distress 1 H*vo we not recently ehown the world a grand object lesson, revealing the fact toe often forgotten, that true loyalty and patriot. i»m are bounded by neither geographical, political, nor even religious divisions? Whc could behold without admiration every Bri< tish colony, even the remotest, rallying round tho Mother Country in the hour of her awi nnd her children's distress? Was it sot the spontaneous outcome of a loyal patriotism, unparalleled in the annals of any nation, undent or modern? Wa* it not a marvellous sight to see millions of minds, waiving everj other consideration, social, political* oi racial, gladly merging all into the one nobl« eacred feeling of love and sympathy toward! those allied to them by the great band oi brotherhood? Have we not, reverend deai Father and beloved children in Christ, made common cause with our fellow''colonistel Assuredly we have. Dow not there utillre main a noble task to fulfil? While «o manj near and dear to Uβ are risking their livei at tha call of duty in a foreign land, shoulc we not lift up our hearte in pmyer and wrpplication to the God of Mercy, the Princ< of Peace, that fresh disasters may be averted the atrocities of war aoou cease, and peaci be restored? I know well no words of mine are needed* to remind you of your duty in thie respect, nor need I exhort you and you] devoted flock to be generous in helping th« Patriotic Fund, ret on foot on behalf of the widows and orphans, or other survivors o! those who may lave fallen in battle. Though I have reason to know that some of oui people have already contributed to the Fund started in their respective localities, I hereby authorise a special collection to be made in all the churches in the diocese at a date to be appointed by the rectors thereof. The proceeds of this collection may be handed over to the local Authorities in each parish or district." Tlie Bishop goes on to reconv mend that prayers and requiem masses should be offered for the souls of the faithful slain in battle, and states that a solemn requiem with this object will be offered in the proCat htnlral during the annual retreat of the priest*. . . . ■