BISHOP JENNER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2223, 22 March 1869, Page 3

BISHOP JENNER.

To the. Editor ef the Ota.oo Daimt Times.

Sir—The Rev. Algernon Gifford publishes in tho Oamaru Times a letter on the subject of Dr Jcnncr'a answers and explanations, which were not considered satisfactory to his friends at Oamaru, and he gives extract* from Dr Jennet's letter. The continued abase of the lato Archbishop of Canterbury induces me once more to meet the unjustiG • able allegations. Bat before doing this, I wish to state that 1 cannot but consider that this letter of Dr Jonner's is eminently unsatisfactory, and makes one more earnest than ever to prevent hia becoming our spiritual overseer. Dr Jenner sayn : —•' Tbe late Archbishop, as a matter of coarse, had ] for months been in the habit of believing every talo reported to him to my disadvaitaae." If thia is true, then the Arch, bisbop'a character ia grossly misrepresented in the extracts I sent you from the Bishop of London's and Dean of Canterbury's sermons. If additional testimony be needed aa to. iho character of the Arabbishop, whose condemnation of Dr Jenner was so emphatic, it will be found in the following statement l>y the Rev. Canon Bateman, Vicar of Margate, who knew him intimately for nearly 30 years: —" At hU approach all hearts opened, all prejudices flod, many helpers appeared, and Ripon. ere long, became a model diocese. I cannot tell yon how many societies he originated, how many churches he consecrated, how many schools ho helped to rear, how many clergy he housed, nor how inuohgood he did during an Episcopacy of 20 yeara. His courtesy and hospitality never failed, Ms gentleness and kindness ware unbounded, and X never heard him speak ill of a living man during 28 years. Neither would he allow others to

speak ill. He was tba tno«t tra«, the xnwit smears, tbe mart holy man I have almost ever known." And this is the man of whom Dr. Jcnnor venture*, in thi* far

dutaot land, to «*y that he, '-us nutter of course, had for months been in the habit of believing every tale reported to him to my disadvantage." The cbarga would fall harmlow at home, where tbe late Archbiahopwaa

known ; it will cause deep regret among even Or Jen&er'a friends when it reaches England, Bat though tender hearted aa * woman, be conld bo decided is the cause confided to his care. "At Leads, one of the large parishes of his first Diocese, a church was Dnill at great expense and of great beauty, by a private uvtividnil of great repute, whose name at the time was ckwefy concealed, and who by the act, set an example which ha* »ince often been followed. A metallic scroll wan fixed against tho wall with this inscription— * Pray for the sinner who batik this.' Dr Longloy refused to consecrate the church till be knew tho name of the individual who waa thus to be prayed for, and without an undertaking that the scroll was to be taken away after the death of the individual. Ho was removed from Ripon to Durham, from Durham to York, from York to Canterbury. All men sought bun, and ruch waa hi» amiability that at the elace of a long life he had not learned to say * No.' This waa tbe one •failing which wore him out, and I know no other. All others disappeared in tbe track of bis excellencies." He is gone, and leaves behind him a stream of light to guide «s in his wake. It is to bo hoped that Dr Jcnaer will regret bis expressions, twico j uttered, and do justice to * man beloved, trusted, aad revered by atL Axethkia.