A POOR PARSON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 8

A POOR PARSON.

PROM THE PULPIT TO THE PICK

Recently a correspondent wrote to the Cbristeburch Press "drawing attention > to the fact that a ministen- of the Presbyterian Church at Oxford had taken up pick work. " Members of the Presbyterian Church at Oxford," he . wrote, "were shocked on seeing their ex-minister in dungarees, working with a gang of men supplying the insatiable maw of a steam itone-crusher with huge boulders. The minister states that, with a young family whose wants he is unable to supply on his meagre stipend, he has chosen to ioin the ranks of unskilled labourers, whose, work is less arduous and better paid than that of a pastor." A few days later a reporter visited the district and found that the statement was correct. He interviewed Mr G. C. J. Parfitt, the clergyman in question. He explained how the Oxford charge was situated financially, and stated that as his net salary was only £IOO per annum he found himself with his large family drifting into debt. He would have strniggled_ on. had he seen a prospect of a mansa being built, but as the committee had decided to defer this matter he had sent in his resignation and took the work which, was offering. • The reporter was inclined to agree with him when he said that he believed that he would be better off labouring for 8s per day. He would no longer be required to keep up appearances to the same extent, he would not have to entertain, and hja -would receive his pay at briecf and regidar intervals. Even allowing a fair proportion off for time lost, owing to broken weather, his wages would be more than his stipend had been. " At the least," he said, " I am showing people that service in the ministry does not preclude a man from doing hard manual work." THE OTHER SIDE. NELSON, May 25. The statement, of Mr G. Parfitt, late Presbyterian missionary at West Oxford, which gained wide publicity, drew a reply from the Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Moderator of the General Assembly, who wrote to the Colonist stating that Mr Parfitt never was, a minister of the Church, but after trying various .means of earning a living, became a home mission agent, being the first stationed in this district. He had no experience and no training whatever, and was not a successful preacher. He received not less than £2 weekly and a manse at Riwaka. He did not pass the course study required of a home missionary. Mr Parfitt entered-on the work with his eyes open, and knowing what was paid. Mr W. W. French, missionary at *Bi-

waka, who exchanged stations with Mr Parfitt, also writes to the Colonist, stating that his salary at Oxford was £l2O per annum, and he understands this was raised to £l3O, as Mr Parfitt was a married man.