CLERICAL ORICKET ON SUNDAY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11413, 25 October 1902, Page 9

CLERICAL ORICKET ON SUNDAY.

With reference to the declaration by Bishop Julius, of Qhidstchnreh, at the Ade. kide Oiflmrb. Congress thast lie would as soon go oirt and play a game of cricket with his flock as preach to them from the pulpit on Sundays, *h© following letters (says "Oriel," in the Melbourne "Argus") have come to hand: —

The Archbishop of Lai Lai writes: — "I am quite in accord with my brother of Ohristchurch an the view that >he takes of fckis important master, and I <am even inclined to go a step further than he does. I wish to state without reservation -tihat I would much sooner play a game of crkket with my flock, provided thaib they were not all"absolute staffers, than preach to tihem on Sundays, or any other days." The Dean of Dingo Gully writes: —"The movement in favour of a rational Sunday has received strong support in this district. Last Sunday, in addition to "the usual cricket match,- there was a boxing contest between two of the churchwardens. An interesting go resulted in favour of the Hght-weight, who sent his opponent "to sleep with a smashing right-hander on tie point, in my capacity as referee, it was my painful duty to count out the beaten man. A billiard tournament has been arranged in cefaneotion- -wiJth ou-r church literary association, and bowk and pingpong will be introduced after the aext quarterly meeting. The church funds were never in such a flourishing condition before."

The Archdeacon of Gobbagumbalong writes in a more depressed vein. He says: —"In consequence of the Episcopal direction that cricket matches should be held on Sunday afternoon, under the direction of the church officers, I regret t<f state that we lhave suffered serious afflictions of late. The precentor is at present laid up with a split knee-cap, owing to a fast one tramping on an indifferent .pitch. The organist, was unable <to take this place at fche instrument last Sunday morning, as (he had severely injured his thumb ia endeavouring to stop a hot one from the enrate at point. My verger, I regret to cay, has gone on strike, on account of having been given out leg-before-wioket en tihe Jast diocesan match, and there are indications that unieee the episcopal direction is repealed it will not be possible to keep the church open much" longer in this district."