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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 17 February 1915, Page 3

The following letter from the Bishop of Nelson, under date December 24th, 1914, was read yesterday, the 14th inst., by Archdeacon' Grace at morning service in the Anglican Church, Blenheim, which we publish as it is of general interest. It is addressed to Rev. J. Hornby Spear, Hon. Sec. Selwyn. Mission Launch, who has been engaged since last September in collecting subscriptions for that Fund both on the West Coast and in this Archdeaconry. The total amount collected to date stands at £135, of which Marlborough is credited with £75. The Bishop's letter is as follows : At the Rectory, Tvexford, Ireland, 24th Dec, 1914. My Dear Mr. Hornby Spear, While, I was travelling at a rapid rate in England I received your letter of the 21st telling me your success on the West Coast. I feel very grateful for your self-denying labour, and my only anxiety is about your bodilv 'health. The sum of £44 "from the West Coast is admirable. X have written to Mr Newman to thank him for the kindness he showed you (Messrs Newman- Bros, who run the Motor Service between Glenhope and Westport gave Mr Hornby Spear a free return Pass between Glenhope and Westport whilst he was engaged in collecting there for the Mission Launch Fund). It seemed as you set out that God directed and blessed your way. The visitation of places which you knew in past years was very pleasant, and I am thankful to know that you were received so well e\erywhere. Your letter of 3rd November is now to hand, and I find that you have increased the amount to nearly £6O. Your journey have be?n most apostolic, and I shall never forget your enthusiasm and the encouragement which it has inspired in me. My chief anxiety is about your health, I hope most sincerely that you have not suffered in your "journeyings oft". We have now been seven weeks in England""and I have preached or lectured (sometimes twice or three times) in Wellington, the Queen's Hall, R«d Bill, Birmingham, Woking, ..Finchtey, Gloucester. Clevedon, .S'idmouth, Torquay, Plymouth, Beckenham, and Maidstone."Mrs Sadlier and I have come here for the Christmas holiday to visit my uncle, %vho is Archdeacon of Ferns. We are due at Southport on Sunday, the 10th January, when I open a thTee months' campaign. My list is a-very long one. and the work will be heavy. We° are both keeping very well. We spent two delightful days at Canterbury with the Archbishop and Mrs Davidson. v Although I was very doubtful of the wisdom of mv leaving Nelson I .am not so now. It 'is quite clear to me that the Society was right, and although it is earlv vet to speak of success in my own special objects I am justified in saying that already there are indications that tiv visit will not prove a calamity to tne Diocese, of course much will depend on the next three months. But I have very substantial reason for being thankful already. I am. etc., Y"ours faithfully, William C Nelson. Rev. Hornby Spear leaves on Tuesday, the 16th inst., for his old parish of H'avelock and the Pelorus, where he hoDes "to considerably augment the Mission Launch Fund.