BISHOP WILSON.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1095, 6 April 1911, Page 6

BISHOP WILSON.

APPOINTED ARCHDEACON OF ADELAIDE. CRITICISM AND REPLY. The Right Rev. Cecil Wilson (who recently resigned the, Bishopric of Melanesia) has been appointed Archdeacon of Adelaide ami rector of St, Andrew's, Wnlkervillc. The Anglican clergy of Adelaide—of r, section of them, at all events—are (says the Sydney "Daily Telegraph") engaged in a, controversy with the Bishop of Adelaide (Dr. Thomas) respecting the appointment of "an Englishman"' to tho archdeaconry. Jt is considered by those who are making the complaint that this position would have been satisfactorily tilled by a.local man. Tho Rev. Canon Po=le. in an open letter, took exception to Bishop Wilson's appointment on the ground that it deprived the local men of their chances of promotion. No doubt has been expressed as to the ability of Dr. Wilson to perform tho duties, but objection is taken to tho importation of clergy for these and similar positions. Bishop Thomas, replying to the open letter of the Canon, says that the Canon looked at the matter from ono point of view only, and that not the highest, to his n-ind. Tho suggestion that promotion claimr. first place in tho thoughts of the clergy is, according to the Bishop, unjust and unwarranted. It was his duty to consider not only what was for the material benefit of his clergy, but what was also for tho spiritual benefit of tho whole diocese. Bishop Wilson having served the Church, not merely in church or diocese, was worthy of a whole-hearted welcome anywhere. Another danger, the Bishop of Adelaide sawin tho open letter, was that many of the hard-working clergy of the diocese might say after reading it, "We Englishmen arc not wanted nor welcome in Australia." Dr. 'Thomas was sure the best Australians would appreciate most warmly the work of the English clergymen, and that they knew how to value at its trno worth their readiness to go where they were sent, and to do the hardest work very often for little pay. «