STRIFE IN A CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19201, 15 December 1925, Page 14

STRIFE IN A CHURCH.

SYDNEY RECTOR'S TRIALS. " A VERITABLE HORNET'S NEST." DISPUTE REGARDING DANCING. [FEOir oca OWN coerespondeni. 3 SYDNEY. Nov. 26. There are bitterly contending factions in the Anglican parish of St. Mary's, Balmain East, and serious trouble has developed there. " I have dropped into a heritage of trouble, a veritable hornet's nest, into which any rector who might have succeeded to this parish' would have fallen. It was in existence already when I came, owing to the bitterly contending factions in the parish." This explanation was vouchsafed by Rev. Frederick Kellett, M.A., the rector, who just now is engaged in defending himself and his parish from what, in military language, might be described at a massed attack. Mr. Kellett is a quiet, inoffensive man, a clergyman of 20 years experience, with high ideals as to the responsibilities of his sacred calling. He has only been rector of St. Mary's for five months, but they have been stormy and distracting months, and unexampled in his career. His ministry hitherto has been in quiet, peaceful parishes. In agreeing to exchange the restful parish of Springwood, on the Biue Mountains, for one in the heart of a great industrial centre, he little reckoned that be was forfeiting the "harvest of a quiet eye" for one of eel* siastical turmoil and strife. Yet, 50 ft proved. Injunction Badly Taken, The rector quickly discovered that he had come into a parish absolutely at cross purposes. His first cognisance of trouble was when he prohibited dancing in the Sunday school hall. Unpleasant rumours were afloat, which may or may not have foundation in fact. Mr. KeDstt, holding that a rector's first concern should be for the spiritual welfare of his parishioners, considered it to be his duty to "avoid even the appearance of evil.*' He accordingly informed all whom it might concern that, if they must have that form of recreation, they must taks it in some hall other than the school hail. "Ths church must be a church and not used for anything unspiritnal," was his explanation. Conflict of Authority. This injunction was taken with 'a bad grace by some of the parishioners, who showed their resentment- in unmistakable ways. The rector had arranged for a young people's mission to be held in the church. Some of the parishioners organised opposition gatherings, which were held simultaneously in the school halL This raised the question of authority as to the possession of the keys of the school hall. The rector and churchwardens decided that the best way to solve this difficulty was to have a new lock put on the school hall door. Discord in Sunday School. rhere was conflict of authority also as to the conduct of the Sunday school, and, as the superintendent and at least one teacher was judged by the rector to be acting in a manner disloyal to himself, he exercised the powers which he claimed were his as rector, and dispensed with their services. They declined to accept dismissal, and the situation became so acute that the Sunday school was transferred to the church, under the superin-t-endency of the rector. It is alleged that systematic attempts have been made to steal the hearts of nonpartisan parishioners away from the rector, and that, as a consequence, there have been a number of resignations and disaffection. The worst manifestation of feeling in the feud came last Sunday evening week, when, during the progress of divine service, some persons, unseen and unknown, bombarded the church root with stones and threw crackers into the buildin S- . , , Mr. Kellett says that attitude 01 officials in determining to cling to office after their services have been dispensed with is without precedence in his experience, and he had no option but to take charge of the Sunday school himself, tie believes that a section of the parishioners is trying to drive him out. Not Inclined to Get Out. " They were disappointed in not getting another' clergyman appointed to the parish, and appear to think that, u tney could get rid of me, that other clergyman might be secured. But," said Mr. Kellett " I am not inclined to get out. A lot. at clearing-up needs to be done in this and it falls to me to bear the brunt of the unpleasantness." , In confirmation of Mr. Kellett s statement that the trouble in the parish arose before his advent, several parishioners have testified that a meting 0 parishioners, held prior to Mr. Kellett s appointment, was of such an unseeml character that it could be described on).as "a howling mob." _ . It is known that Archbishop Wrigbf concurred in Mr. Kellett's action when declining to allow the school hall to b used any longer for dancing, and Mr. Kellett expresses himself as satisfied th<u he has the support and sympaih) large number of what he terms the best type of parishioners." , . Asked as to his future course of action, Mr. Kellett said: "If anything isjo t* done it rests with the higher "nthonties of the church. Tho archbishop, I stand, is arranging a meeting of th<» principally concerned, at which mtner he or his representative will Preside, to straighten things out. In the inean time I am not taking any action, one way or the other.'