ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11823, 28 November 1901, Page 4

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

The affairs of St. Matthew's parish have of late been so much before the public that considerable general interest is taken in the result of the meeting of parishioners to be held to-night. There will no doubt be a fuller attendance of .those immediately interested than is usual in parish meetings. The object of the meeting is to consider the position of the parish in view of the resignation of the vicar. That resignation, as is well known, was sent in because Mr. Gillam began to despair of the position, and saw only a vista before him of litigation and annoyance, which would have been intolerable to him personally and would have greatly hindered anything like satisfactory work in the district. The situation has now completely changed. How far the change has been brought about by Mr. Gillam's action and his resignation we need not now discuss. The cause of his resignation was as we have stated, and certainly was notbrought about by any feeling of disagreement between Mr. Gillam and his vestry or the members o£ the congregation of St. Matthew's. On the contrary, Mr. Gillam is highly esteemed as a preacher and as a parish clergyman, and we believe that in the action he has taken in respect to the new church he has with him the almost unanimous approval of his congregation. Mr. Gillam has, however, sent in his resignation, and we understand that it has been accepted by the Bishop. The position is, therefore, somewhat complicated. We can scarcely think that Mr. Gillam, who has not been for long in St. Matthew's, would desire to leave at the present time, knowing that the strong desire of the congregation is that he should remain. There is now every prospect that the church will have a successful course before it, and will be one of the most important parishes in New Zealand. On the other hand, the congregation are exceedingly anxious that he should remain, for the purpose of carrying on the good work that he has begun, and also because they have no desire that at the present time they should be plunged into the harassment and worry consequent upon a vacancy. And in regard to one of the principal of oui city churches, it is natural that there should be a considerable amount of feeling amongst the genera 1 public. We think we may venture to say that that is entirely in favour of Mr. Gillam remaining in his present position. We do not profess to be acquainted with the details oi how the resignation may be cancelled. But we presume that if there is a strong expression of opinion from the congregation Mr. Gillam will intimate his willingness to remain, and that the parish nominators and the diocesan nominators will concur.