BISHOP COWIE'S SUCCESSOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12027, 25 July 1902, Page 7

BISHOP COWIE'S SUCCESSOR.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— I understand that it is proposed to "import" an Australian to fill the vacant bishopno of Auckland, might I ask the clergy and synodsmen of Auckland,, why they should go out of the colony to select the new bishop, when we have such men in.the colony as Dean Harper, of Ohristohurch, and Dean Fitchett, of Dunedin ? Each of these gentlemen is in every way fitted for the position, and each has that gift most essential to a good bishop, the gift of eloquence. Auckland is at; present sadly deficient in eloquent preachers, and the presence of a preacher of Dean Harper's calibre is urgently needed. From what I have been told neither of the bishop-designates has the power of drawing" people to church.. Further, is it known to the synodsmen that both the "Revs. Pvitchard and Smith are strong .High Churchmen . (in ;■ fact, rod-hot Ritualists), and. that the latter conducts his "< services on Roman Oatbplio linos, with acolytes, h/aly safcer,

and a procession headed by the cross? England is at , present in the ■■■ throes of a Bitu&Katio revival, a revival which points to the return of Popery. Let us beware of such a revival, and let it not be said as to this case that " a prophet is without honour in his own country."— am, etc., ANTI-RITUALIST. "