MR. CORNISH ON THE ST. THOMAS' CHURCH AFFAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6329, 1 March 1882, Page 3

MR. CORNISH ON THE ST. THOMAS' CHURCH AFFAIR.

TO THE EDITOR. !SiK,—ln this morning's issue appeared a letter signed by "A Well-wisher," one who prides himself on his knowledge of St. Thomas' affairs from the beginning. He says the place was intended as a school, and only for that purpose was the money raised. Tills is not true, and the action of a vestry in later times would prove what I say. But it is a very small matter to me what it was intended for. I know for what it has been used, and if only a school, does it not seem strange that the vestry should sanction the erection of another school upon the same allotment? But perhaps he is not aware of that, though very likely one of the principal ones to sanction it. Perhaps, too, he does not consider it a breach of faith to tell people at an annual meeting that the services would be maintained, and a month after to discontinue them. And docs he imagine, by so doing, and because there is plenty of room at St. Matthew's, that he will bring them there ? If so, he is mistaken. What I meant by the service costing nothing was that as they were not paying for any service, I felt sure there were those whose love for their Church would gladly rather give their service than see it closed, perhaps if not iu St. Matthew's in some of the adjoining parishes. In conclusion, if the late incumbent five years ago saw the necessity of a second church or school, surely now, with an increase of nearly one-fourth in population, it is much more needed. I regret very much that St. Matthew's is not crowded. It ought to be. lam also sorry to know that the Sunday-school, instead of numbering, as it did five years ago, 400 scholars, now ouly numbers about "2G0.—1 am, &.c, J. H. Cornish, E.C.U.