A CHAPLAIN FOR THE CONTINGENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11691, 26 March 1900, Page 9

A CHAPLAIN FOR THE CONTINGENT.

TO THE EDITOR. ~' Siir,—l have to ask you on behalf of tho Dunedm Presbytery to be good enough to give publicity to the accompanying correspondence. It has seemed to the presbytery that whatever has been jthe case*''in private or congregational life 'during this time of loyal sacrifice, of loyal grieving, 'and of loyal rejoicing, there has been, in' publicand m official spheres, too little recognition of God. And the presbytery as. representatives of a large Christian community think it due to, themselves, their" fellow-re-ligionists, and the cause of Christ generally that a public explanation should be made of efforts put forth by them to remedy this state of- matters in one* direction at least and of the way in which these efforts have proved, abortive. I think the' letters and telegrams speak for themselves, and need no comment. It may,, however, be pointed out that the presbytery and ;Mr Tennent were,kept ( waiting for a reply, fta the 7th February (the day they approached the Contingent . Committee) till the 15th March, when Mr Seddon sent his curt refusal, 'and that both they arid Mr Tennent were put to a great deal of unnecessary trouble thereby, and some expense. It will be apparent froma perusal of the correspondence thafr the Premier's reply might have been given on .the. same day that the application was ' made to him. So far as appears, there was no undeveloped factor in the case that necessitated time for consideration. VAt all'"' events, that there was undue delay in eend- ■ ing a reply; to the presbytery will be apparent from the fact that in a private telegrauy to the mayor on tlie sth or 6th o£. Alarch the information,, was conveyed tor him then that was hot * "sent" to the presbytery >11 the 15th. .1 dd'not*. think that anyone1 can say that the presbytery were asking an unreasonable thing, or even a favour when they asked that "Our Boys "" "who"' are going to, peril their lives, should ha«> one to accompany them who could afford tliem some help in spiritual things, especi-i ■ ally as the Government' were not asked' to be out a penny .of the eo'st; and ■ so.-Surely they may be excused if they feel / disapl pointed that the Government did not "treat them, with a little more courtesy*-^-1 am,' I. K. M'lNTrnß, Moderator. • The Manse) North Duneriin '* John M'fe's^Slikely to be,in Dunediu within the next two' or tnree days. We arc anxious ib-lukve'auv' interview with you in the Shatter .-of-'our proposal to send a chaplain to South Africa, with the fourth, contingent. Lest we should not have, the opportunity of seeing you personally,,l may .advise you of the particulars of this movement ■ More than a fortnight ago Mf ,E. ;K; C. Tennent, of the minister, of Port- .Chalmers ■'*■' volunteered his. services tb.the. presbytery."to go to the Transvaal with the fourth contingent in the capacity o{ missionary. He offered to find his own horse. The presbytery recognised :. the fitness of Mr Tennent in every respect Me is a good horseman, an ex-volunteer, 26 years of age; has had considerable/ experience : in. Christian work, and has a very pleasing address \ and presence. They unanimously agreed to accept his offer, and approached.the Qtago*and; * Hduthland Contingent and.iteinoilnt Conimitteo with a view-of obtaining -Mr Tenneht's recognition by the, Government. Tke presbytery r.greedto designate Mr Tennent '• Scripture I!?J ?'- ut) at the coihtaittee's request, substituted the word ."chaplain^ in their application. .The Otago and Southland Contingent Committee expressed themselves in favout of . our application,, and sent it.on to headquar-' ters. i,'rna.y mention here that the presbytery undertook to meet all expenses in connection, with. .Air1 Tennent's outfit, salary, aiid even passage to Cape and back. ¥c have been wait- • ing ever since for a reply, and time is limited. Un Monday the following vague rcplv; came from the colonel commanding the forces' New Zealand:—-Your recommendation of Mr Tennent has beeii noted, aiid if it is decided to- send' a'chaplain*'his application *..shall receive due consideration." On receipt- of. a copy, of this we sent the following telegram to the .Minister of Defence:—"Applied nearly fortnight'agb re Presbyterian chaplain, Transvaal. Time liini-' ted for arrangements. Please reply definitely." V*. c also interviewed Colonel PentbnV While the Colonel did not ■ exactly say so, we formed the impression ithat our application would be refused.. He suggested such difficulties as other denominations Wishing to send chaplains, the want of room on board the transport steamer etc. I pointed out (1> that a large proportion of the volunteers were Presbyterian,* \2) that we were the first to apply, (3) that Mr Tennent was approved of and recommended by the Contingent Committee, and (i) that we alone undertook to pay all expenses. Can you do anything to support our application? . "We are providing Mr Tennent with,speciallybound Testaments and a small Soldier's' Text Book for distribution among the men, and we believe that he would be the means of doing much good. 'Will you please favour me with a reply at your, earliest convenience? I am., etc., '. :,: " ■ ; --■-■: -. ■ I. K. M'liiTirsE: *. .. ■ ;. 'Wellington, March 6/1900. Dear Sir,—Your'letter of the-22nd. ult. duly . to hand with ■• reference to a proposal to send a chaplain to South Africa with the fourth contingent. I would haVjo replied sooner,' but that I expected to see you when . I was in Dunedin; but I will likely belthere againabout tho time the contingent leaves, and I may have an opportunity of seeing you then. I may tell you; however, that some time ago the .Government declined a similar application, and this being so, I am afraid there is no chaiice* of this decision being altered.—Yours truly, * ■ ■ • * John M'Kenzie. Kevl. K. M'lntyre, *~ The Manse; North Dunedin. . {Telegram 21st February.]- .'.-.•■ Minister of Defence, "Wellington,—Applies ■ nearly fortnight ago re Presbyterian chaplain. .Time limited for arrangements. Please reply definitely.—'William, B akneeman, Moderator, Dunedin. ' . . , \ , [Telegram Ist March.] ' Rev. W. Bamiernian, Moderator,*^-Your request will be considered when Ministers meet at beginning of next week.—R. J. Sedbon. ' ".'* [Telegram 15th March.] - Minister of Defence, 'Wellington,—No definite reply yet re .Presbyterian chaplain. Scarcely considerate treatment.—^Modeeator of. Peesbytery, Dunedin. . ' ..'*.' [Telegram 15th March.] Moderator of Presbytery,—Cabiuet ohly considered the matter yesterday, and a reply was at onco sent to Mr Kemptliorne, chairman, to the effect that the Government could not see its way to allow Rev. Mr Tennent' to go as chaplain to the contingent.—R. J. Seddon.Headquarters, Garrison Hall, _■ Dunedin, 15th March, 1900. Rev. Mr M'lntyre, Cumberland street. • • Dear Sir,—lam instructed by the committt to forward you copy of the .following telegram received from the Premier in reference to the appointment of Mr Tennent as chaplain: " Regret Government does not see its .Way clear to allow Rev. Mr Tennent to go with the contingent as chaplain."—Yours faithfully, Edwabd Duthie, lion: secretary. '. Tho Manse, Port Chalmers, March 7, .1900. Rev. I. K. M'lntyre. Dear Sir, —The comimtts,* of the fourth contingent say that the lists are closed, and the final selection of men made, iviid that my- volunteering would be useless.' I interviewed Colonel Webb re the fifth contingent: He says that ho has already twice as many offers as ie. is authorised to accept, r.nd it was questionable whether I could even get into carap. However, I would risk that, but-he further added that those who go will most likely have to si>n for three years. This Icr me put 3 the Matter out of the question, as it would make such a brsak in my studies as would in all probability prevent my carrying out my purpose pi entering the"■ ministry. So I have determined to let tho matter of volunteering as a trooper drop. Although I suppose there is no hopere "Biblo reader," still I would like to know tho final decision of tho Premier when it comes to hand. Thanking you and your committee very much * for persistent effort and hard work in tho mat' ter.—l' remain, etc., . . » . R. Neilson* C. Tennent.. — Eighty-fivo per cent, of the people wlri are lame are affected on the-left side,