RITUALISM. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6780, 7 November 1883, Page 3

RITUALISM. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—ln answer to " Fairplay," allow me to state that he has chosen a very minor part of my letter as the basis of his. If" Fairplay" had read my letter more carefully he would have seen that I did not make the sermon of Sunday week the groundwork of complaint, but merely what we might expect to follow—the sermons of previous Sundays. I have not such a retentive memory as he appears to bave (indeed he beats Macaulay), for I do not know that the_ sermon has been fublished. With your permission, Mr Editor, would ask " Fairplay," Did Mr Kerkham preach a sermon in favour of the dead, and on the following Sunday "desire prayers to be offered for a deceased brother at Home ?" Is this not strongly allied to the Popish doctrine of purgatory? He further states that tbe incumbent, admits that sorrowing friendraight still reasonably pray for the increase of the glory and. bliss of loved oneß who have departed in the faith of Christ crucified. If "Fairplay" can put any other construe-, tion upon this than praying for tho dead I must admit that I cannot. He states that thore is no such thing in the vestry or church as a crucifix. Perhaps I was slightly in error in using the words. But can he deny that there is a blessed cross in the vestry and another on the altar, and' that the sacramentalist makes obeisance to it? and I see the figure of our Saviour luming in the distance to complete the crucifix. If he can explain this, I may be able to see this in tho same light as he does. Until then I remain,— Low Churchman. If there's a hole in a' your coats, I redo you tent It; A chiel's among you, taking notes, And faith he'll prent it. November 6.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir,—l have no desire to enter into a paper warfare with yourcorrespondent "Low Churchman," but having read his letter in your issue of Tuesday, and another which appeared on Wednesday, I may say I have read both with some interest, and, I trust, also in a frame of mind free from prejudice. I fear from " Low Churchman's" tone, especially in his first letter, that he cannot claim this ; but, on the other hand, his letter is prejudiced in the extreme, showing, as it did, a want of charity and truthfulness. He states tbat crucifixes we have had for some time. This statement I deny, and I will ask " Low Churchman's" forbearance while I explain the matter to his somewhat confused mind. There is a cross standing on the communion-table, but not a crucifix ; and it is surprising to hear ono like " Low Churchman," who professes to be well read in Church matters, making this grievous mistake. Charity and truth should be tbo leading quality of Christians, and this doctrine of charity is taught through the Gospel, and also is one of the strongest graces insisted on by our Church. One word more and I have done. I will ask what has been the result and fruit of Mr Kerkham's ministry since he came amongst us at St. John's, Roslyn ? If " Low Churchman " can remember that time he knows full well that our minister came and found us without a church to worship in, no properly organised Sunday-school—without, in fact, any church machinery or means of grace. And now what has been done ? We have a beautiful church built and paid for; a large Sundayschool and ball, where we have improvement classes formed for young mcD; we have also a branch Sunday-school established at the Halfway Bush, another at Maori Hill, and I may say that at St. John the Evangelist's, Roslyn, you can have a beautiful service rendered to Almighty God which should impress the worshippers with that holy fear and reverence which is acceptable in His sight. I may add that there is a wide difference between spiritual hear* felt worship according to tbe ritual of the Church of England and the cold superstitious rite of the Church of Rome. " For what communion hath light with darkness ?''— lam, &c, A Lover os Truth. Wakari, November 1.