DUNEDIN METHODIST MISSION

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21714, 22 February 1936, Page 22

DUNEDIN METHODIST MISSION

TO THE EDITOR OF TEE PRESS. ' • Sir,—lt was with great- regret that I read that portion of the report of the Methodist conference in "The Press" this morning* dealing with the Dunedin Central - Mission's acceptance of money received from the Government for little comforts for elderly folks at Christmas time. Mr Neale had nothing to do with the raising of ths money, but was only asked to distribute it. This is not the first time that criticism has been levelled at him by

some of the Methodist clergy in Christ- ° L had the privilege of being closely, associated with Mr L; B. Keale when fie was carrying out the Christchurch work among the distressed families in, Christchurch. Exception is taken to the method by which'' the r "ifidney- "was raised, but there is a wide divergence of opinion in this matter. Urgent cases need extraordinary methods. When Christ was on the earth He at one time turned water into wine. How would the Methodist conference (who I take are prohibitionists) view a circumstance of this kind in these days? The nanie of the Rev. L. B. Neale will long be remembered when those of his critics are forgotten. Can any of his clerical critics say that the methods of raising money for church purposes are right or scriptural, e r g., bazaars, fancy fairs, jumble sales, etc • This was clearly demonstrated when He drove the traders out of the Temple. Let those who are inclined to criticise clean their own doorstep'before condemning others.—Yours, - etc., . . , D. K. HABERFIELD. . February* 19, 1936.