PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ENDOWMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15301, 15 November 1911, Page 9

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ENDOWMENTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—My former letter on this subject, which appeared in your issue of September 20, was honoured by a recognition in Passing Nnlce. " Civis'a" commcnta lliereon were quite as coigmatical as his personality, which lifts baffled tho public for more than ft quarter of a isntury I have studied "Civis" for nwny years, and, if I read him aright, beneath tho crusty, satirical shell in which ho parades to the vulgar gaao, there beata a hoart in sympathy with the principlo of eternal justice. Ilis powerful pen has always ap. pcared to mo to bo wielded in U» cause of right, as seen through hi# spectacles. He pleads ignorance on thia question, and wants more light. I will try and direct him so that he may find it Lst him journey into any district where tho Presbyterian Church is interested, and pick out tho property that proclaims its need of a manager. Ho will probably find it tho most favourably situated block in tho district, and will marvel why tbo owner

did not moke soma attempt to develop ii ;fl ,« quarter of a century ago The owner'*' R name will afford him tha&nffwcr he seeks. "Urn" hw often .chastised tho Presbyterian Synod, and I doubt not to its . profit. If he can com pel iia attention to this scandal, it ooulabtf a wholesome tonic to. its smug satisfaction ~ . The clergy dearly, lovo tho "fat mam" *' I "Civis" gave somo cogent reasons why. ;'. ; Ho is a pleasant fellow to meet. Mi J'B make life agreeable, but touch Win oa-i '■.% any matter however small, that directly - ' or Indirectly affecta him m pursuit of 4 . : mooey-getting, and nee how he will shew' : i his teeth, and button up his subscription « pocket, even to the appeals of his church.- . So diplomacy links itself, to tho Kne of " ' least rosUtanco, and oowcieaco and pro* crastjuation aro wed. , 4 Let " Civis " ask any-of theeo saaya,f"£clergymen who profe« ignorance on busl-' -,V neea aifairs. and cannot eoo their way to >' move in this matter, whether, if th« pro- •*" perty belonged to themselves p&reonally, they would bo content to allow it to bo < '') managed in tho way I have indicated*, • when the application of ordinary comjnqo":- r' sense would treblo their income. ■ ■ I remember a "Passing Note'" = s<P'. rooms hing our " Oitr Fathtre " 1U which'' i '? " CiviV marvelled ot tte folijy > number of mea, individually .sensible,' "■' were capable of committing when acting: collectively. He might apply his retnaika.• . x to toe board responsible in thia caaa. f which has continued for 25 yeare to y&j mit this folly, undisturbed and secure from' . ' :■? all criticism and interference Irtm'thdsb-' -/•* most deeply interested. f I note that the Synod finds Itself in the. . wunl state of impeenniouty. Profess* / 'i; Hewitsoa |ha& been without Balary foi some ,eight months; mietaoDs and church: extension are in dire need of some thoo^ isanda o! pounde; and "soroetiing will' f r have to be done." •, . / 1 The application of a little reuse and of sound business methodi:ld'- ■'j the adraiftifilration. of the nuignificifli : , i etate beque)Ubed to the chnrch by ; early fatliera.woujd enable it fully tomee^'| it« obligatwna. Otherwise, let tlie chuzdi boldly qsk the Government to taba owr portion of Its estate at valuation and 4 P« nationals bonds jit will treble its income from tie'*- ' greater part of it If its dignity fillVnot'' permit tho Ctnuxh Board 'ftctuig-r-oyda iii-j" -.:'± its own - beet intenstq—on th«i»dvfco:«f.. an anonymous writer, I would aocept aa ... ' ! inMncHon;and give practical demttnilta>V ; i]i tion of the facts. My cloak is aeeumed tor;' j . avoid publicity in connection with a ; t«r which is no whit short of » ecindil : ' : 1> if all the facts in connottion therwithli* ; ,4 were ttvwfe puHio.— I am, etc., • , , Poor P&emnsuur. ;• ? ; Duqedin, ,November 13. . m m , A J