Correspondence.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 335, 24 November 1875, Page 3

Correspondence.

The Editor is desirous of e fiord in g everyreasonable facility for the discussion of public subjects; but it must be understood that lie lain no way responsible for the opinions oxprweed i by correspondents.

CHURCH MATTERS; TO TUB EDITOR. Sib,—As there seems to have been somedoubt and uncertainty in the minds of samewho attended the Church meeting yesterday, evening regarding the power to pledge or set I apart the- offertory entirely for one purpose, I have thought it advisable to make- the matter aa clear as possible by writing a few lines on the subject. The question was asked, " By* whom was the offertory set apart or pledged at, tint to the guarantors foi' the purpose of paying the minister's stipend?" the answer to which ie that it was bo pledged and set ap-irt by the Church Committee then existing on the recommendation of a public meeting of parishioners, and. it should bo remembered that at that timo> there had been no claim put forward for rent, the guarantee stipulating that there were no funds available for that purpose. At the } w sent time the question ie aske.l, why cannot the offertory be again pledged or set apart-, ent'roly for the snmo purposo ? to which tho answer is that it cannot be so pledged or setapart without tho consent of tho Vestry, who • have full power to deal with it in such manner • I as to them seems must proper and convenient J for church interests, and that at tho present* I time there exists a claim for rent for a parson- 1 age house which did not exist when tho first f arrangement was made, and which cannot bo | ignored by tho Vestry, who havo no alter- I native than to take from tho only funds at I their disposal for tho purpose—viz, tho i offertory—and pay it regularly for the futuro I until a parsonage is built, and some new* I order of things is established, unless, | indeed, which seems improbable, tho I parishioner* will supply special funds for the I purpose; but as an endeavor to do so has I already been tried and found to full com* I plotely, I should certainly n>t recommend t it. I I think it decidedly best for all parties,. I guarantors included, that tho moneys to pay J for tho rent and other regular expenses should § come from tho offertory, to bo supplemented, I if need be, by the usual ways and means, such I as voluntary subscriptions, Ac, that con- I t-ibutors may understand that, whon giving g to the offertory they will not bo confronted I afterwards with other unsettled claims for |j rent, &c, but in so contributing they aro J settling both claims and killing two birds with J one stone. lam convinced that had matters I been so settled from tho first, there would J never havo boon any difficulty, and contribu- 1 tiocs would havo been much more liberal, and | that tho guarantors may confidently expect I tho same in tho future. With tho increased* 1 accommodation in the new church there can I bj but very little doubt that tho offertory, j will amply suffice to meet tho claims both of J sdary as guaranteed and rent, and leave a | surplus, whereas in the past tho offertory hai J , ofc sufffjd to moot the ealary a'ono.— j Yours, &c, I Alex. Toybt, j Chairman of lato meeting. 1 Tauranga, November 19, 1875. J