THE ANGLICAN HOME MISSION FUND. MR. FEWKESLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9218, 22 November 1888, Page 3

THE ANGLICAN HOME MISSION FUND.

MR. FEWKESLEY.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir,— may be too late for regrets, but at the same time, as one of the country clergymen of the diocese, I very much regret that the Rev. W. Beatty's motion on the Home Mission question was not carried. I think that had that motion come on earlier in the session, ere almost half the lay and clerical members of the Synod had left for their homes, that it would most certainly have been passed, and, apropos of this, such an important question should not have been shelved to the last hour of the session. Nothing could have been clearer than Mr. Beatty's motion. Had it been carried, its effect would have been this, that of the total receipts of the Home Mission Fund not less than one-half, perhaps more, would have gone to the country districts. The effect of the Archdeacon of Waimate's resolution is, that going on the basis of last year's receipts, the country districts will receive only one-third of the total receipts, viz., one offertory in the year, and the receipts of the general fund less the special grant of £50 from England for Katikati. The organising department will receive two-thirds— namely, the proceeds of one offertory in the year of all the offertories received in outlying districts where there is no resident minister, and the total receipts of the Home Mission Society. No wonder that the organising clergyman "approved" of the Archdeacon's amendment. Last, but not least, a rival organisation has been created, into which it will be virtually an impossibility to prevent the personal element from entering. Deeply regretting the result of last night's iivision. —I am, etc., A County Clergyman. P.S.—How confusing the two expressions " Home Mission .Fund " and "Home Mission Society " are. Would it not be better if they were styled Clergy Sustentation Fund," and "Itinerating Clergyman's Fund," respectively ?—A.C.C.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In reference to a letter signed " Fewkesley," myself, for one of the many correspondents, never intended any insult to the clergy. As for Archdeacon Dudley, whom I have known for years, and who has been a friend, no one would regret more than myself anything that would cause him pain ; and if the Archdeacon's letter and extract had been published a day earlier, my letter would never have appeared. Hence the danger of delay. What I intended to convey, and what 1 now think, is as follows : —It was a misfortune for Mr. Upton, who is a prominent member of the Synod, to have made the remarks he did about keeping the Sunday, when so many are doing wnat they can to get the young trained to keep it holy, as commanded ; also, when he did make the remarks, for some of the clergy not to have answered him, which has since been shown by Archdeacon Dudley they did ; therefore that part of complaint in my letter is done away with. In reference to some preaching for money, my meaning is this : that many innovations in some -churches are creeping in, and money is constantly asked for, partly to pay for them, when it might be used tc help the poor clergy in the out-districts, where it is so much needed, and go in more for the spirit, instead of the letter, and not bo drive people away from the churches. I have the opinion of good men, and clergy too, upon this matter. As for myself, lam partly a Radical—do not feel upright inclined to become worse. I snail not write any more upon this subject whatever is said. If Mr. Fewkesley would like to meet a Radical, and have a discussion, he will find my address at the Herald office.—l am, &c., Nemo.