NO PAID CLERGY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21346, 22 November 1932, Page 10

NO PAID CLERGY

SUGGESTION BY BISHOP

PREACHING FOR NOTHING

THE EXAMPLE OF ST. PAUL

[from our own correspondent]

HAMILTON, Monday

Tho opinion that thcro should be 110 paid clergy, and that two bishops, ono in the North Island and one in tho South Island, should be sufficient for New Zealand, was expressed by Bishop C. A. Cherrington in the course of a sermon at St. Peter's Cathedral, Hamilton, last evening.

" Pounds, shillings and pence figure too much in our religion to-day," said His Lordship. " After 1900 years, religion should 'bo freo. There should be men elected from the community to administer tho sacraments and preach without any payment. Tho Church could then uso all tho money for missions. " Tho Melanesian Mission has suffered a big loss in the wreck of tho Southern Cross, and through lack of funds the missionaries have to face stipend " cuts." A "cut" in Melanesia is far worse in its effects than one applied to stipends in New Zealand. If we had unlimited means we could evangelise tho whole world in 300 years."

Continuing, Bishop Cherrington mentioned that the advent of tho new Church year was at hand and ho appealed for inoro regular attendance at services and more earnest prayer.

Amplifying his remarks in an interview this evening, Bishop Cherringtori said it was very difficult to give Christmas teaching to people whose Christinas season fell in midsummer. The schools were closed and people flocked to tho seaside and other holiday resorts. lie thought that Christmas in Now Zealand should be observed in June, and Easter in September. "Christian gospel," said Bishop Cherrington, "should bo freo to all." St. Paul would not tako money for his services as a preacher. He was a tent maker. Speaking of his reference to tho need of the mission fiolds, the bishop said if every Christian pulled his weight there would be no shortage of money for missionary effort.

After 1900 years of Christianity Christian parents should bo able to instruct their children as well as a parson could. Parents also could prepare their children for confirmation. He suggested that godly men in the community should be elected and ordained to administer baptism and Communion, and also lead the congregations in church services. These men would follow their ordinary occupations and would not bo paid for services to tho Church.

Finance, concluded Bishop Cherrington, loomed too largely in Church affairs. It hindered religion.