THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3292, 2 September 1871, Page 3

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

♦ TO TnE EDITOB OP TUE INDEPENDENT. Sir, — You have alluded on two occasions in your columns to the serious illness of the Rev; Mr Lewis. Ifc will be remembered that a few months ago this gentleman arrived in tbe province of Wellington, and was placed in charge of fche districts of Pahautanui, Porirua, Ohariu, Johnsonville, Karori, and Makara. Anyone acqainfced with these various localities musfc acknowledge thufc fchey cannot be efficiently administered by one clergyman. The task allotted to Mr Lewis has apparently broken down his health ; tbo _ only alternative he had was neglecting a portion of his duties. I trust fchafc the nexfc Synod, instead of discussing the theological tenets of some ancient patriarch, or the opinions of some modern heretical bishop, will address themselves to the more practical task of ascertaining the amount of work the Church has to perform in this diocese, the number of laborers they havo set to do tho work, and how much of tho work is leffc undone. Speaking as a Church member in a small country district, I havo an impression — Ist. That the Church adopts unpopular modes of raising funds in small country districts, and that consequently it does nofc realise half the funds ifc might do from thorn. 2nd. That the Church does nofc make the most of the resources, such as landed property, which it possesses. 3rd. Thafc their organisation for supplying tho wants of small districts is defective. 4th. I have not seen or heard of the new Bishop of Wellington in this district, and however valuable his timo may be employed, I think he should mnko himself personally acquainted with every church congregation in his diocese. Having grave doubts as to whether the church to which I belong is doing its duty in Uiis parfc of the colony, I tako fche only opportunity I have of expressing my views, by addressing a letter to the Independent. I regret to say that the bishop and clergy of fche church of England are very unpopular in small country districts, not on account of their personal qualities, but on account of their church system, which is somewhat too conventional, and does nofc seeuro fcho support of the illiterate bufc intelligent settler. I connect Mr Lewis's illness with the church system of this diocese, because I bolieve it is the natural result of it, and if such bo tho case the system is open" to comment. — I am, &c , Magisteb Porirua, August. 27, 1871.