PASSIVE RESISTERS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 837, 8 June 1910, Page 5

PASSIVE RESISTERS

A CHURCH APPOINTMENT. CONGREGATION IN REVOLT. Tclecraph—Prssß Association—Oopyriehl Sydney, Juue 7. • The bulk of the , congregation of another Anglican Churcil (St. John's) is in revolt against the appointment of a new rector. Resolutions have been carried at a meeting of the congregation protesting against the arbitrary action of the nominators and pledging themselves to passive resistance, withholding any assistance—monetary, personal, or. othVrwise. ST. JOHN'S, GLEBE. LIVELY MEETING'OF PARISHIONERS. The journey to the Old Country pf nfV U l -*- ove y> rector of St. John's, ulebe, Sydney, led to tho appointment as his locuinjenens of the Rev. Clive Statham, and the death of the veteran clergy, man while on his travels made it necessary that Someone should ,be appointed permanently. This has led to parochial trouble over tho choice of a successor. A meeting of parishioners was held recently to consider the position, and never 111 tan history of the parish have they had such a meeting. Not only were scores compelled to stand, but large numbers blocKed the aisles and doorway. People 1? ] d been in church for months rolled up. The proceedings were, vory animated, and the entire matter received a pretty thorough threshing out. A number of prominent local men spoke, and some at considerable length. Spoken to by a reporter 011 tho subject before the meeting began, one gentleman said the real object of the meeting was to show that a vast majority of the communicants and seat-holders wished Mr." Statham to remain with them permanently. Hei had endeared himself to his flock during the last sis months in a marked degree, and the-increased attendance at church services and other gatherings connected with St. John's bad shown him to be exactly tho man wanted for the post. His ministrations had been notably acceptable to young, and the number of young men now connected with and attending the church was ■ greater than it had been for very many years. It would be a viry strong man indeed who would be able to take Mr. Statham's place'successfully. '

At a subsequent meeting of the board of'nominators the choice,fell upon the Rev. E. G. Cfanswick, of Castle Hill. It was pointed out that though Mr. Statham was an admirable young man, there were other excellent clergymen with prior claims to preferment, and the congregation was not in possession of all the facts of the case in order to come to a conclusion.

The position, briefly seems to be that the bulk of the .congregation favour the appointment of Mr. Statham, but the majority of the nominators (that is, the persons, representing the parish and diocese, in whose hands the selection rests) have'chosen the' Rev. E. G. Cranswick tor the position, and Mr. Cransivick having signified his acceptance of the offer, the Archbishop has accepted the presentation.

This sudden decision came as a surprise to the parishioners, who had arranged a deputation to wait on the Archbishop to put the case for the congregation before him.