AN APPEAL FOR CLERGY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10059, 1 May 1915, Page 6

AN APPEAL FOR CLERGY.

"NO CALLING MORE HUMAN."

"There is no more serious question affecting the work of the Church in New Zealand as well as this parish than the supply of clergy," said Rev. 11. G. Rosher at Ail Saints' annual meeting last evening. At present New Zealand is a long way from supplying a sufficient number of her own men or her best men. There is little or no encouragement given by parents to their sons to enter the Ministry—mainly, no doubt, because they think they can do better from a financial point of view in other walks of life. There is the further reason that the work of the Christian ministry is strangely misunderstood—and yet there is no calling which makes a greater 'demand for the best men and for all round men—and there is no calling more human than a clergyman's.

"This lack of personal service makes the demand all the more reasonable that the means shall not be lacking to provide men from Home or elsewhere, if they can be obtained, and that every assistance shall be given to those who are trying constantly to do two men's work. The work of a parish of this size and importance involves a large amount of correspondence and general organisation, not to mention the time which ought to be given for the preparation of sermons, addresses, classes, etc., or to the visitation of the sick, in their homes or in hospital, etc.

"It cannot be a matter of surprise if with so many irons in the lire it is well nigh impossible to keep in close personal touch with a population of some 14.000 which is ever changing, and scattered over 250 miles of roads, and in eight separate districts—and to do it all against wind and often against time on a push bike, f am speaking from a fairly arduous experience, and would suggest that amongst the equipment of the parish a small 'motor should in due course find a place, if much physical strain and precious time is to be saved.