DEBT UPON CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20114, 27 November 1928, Page 10

DEBT UPON CHURCH.

CRITICISM BY BISHOP. APPEAL FOR SELF DENIAL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON, Monday. Strong criticism of the action of those responsible for the debt of £4OOO on St. Georce's Church, Frankton, was expressed by Bishop Gierringfon in a sermon at Frankton last evening on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the church.

The bishop said the debt was contracted five or six years The standing committee of the Auckland Diocese should never have allowed the debt to accumulate. At the present rate of income it would take 40 years to discharge the Labilitv.

The bishop appealed to the parishioners to make a special effort to reduce the amount by £.IOOO next year. He suggested that 100 willing and earnest helpers should collect £lO each. He further suggested that a period of self-denial should bo observed. If 200 people did without tobacco and sugar for a week or a fortnight they could save something for the church. The Salvation Army had raised £35.000 throughout New Zealand in one week and much of this money had come frem the pockets of Church of England people. The army was a worthy cause, but he considered charity should begin at home, and that their own church should be assisted first.