CHURCH AND STATE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1122, 9 May 1911, Page 4

CHURCH AND STATE.

REMARKS BY BISHOP CEOSSLEY. (By Telceraph.-Spccial Correspondent.) Auckland, May 8. In the course of an impressive sermon at St. Matthew's Church yesterday morn, lug, Bishop Crossley referred to tho posi. tion of Church and State as follows:- ' Perhaps 1. may be pardoned if I alluda to ono matter which nas como under my notice. I wish to preface what I say by stating I am tne last to desire that my Church, or any other religious body, sliould be supported by the State. 1 recognise, and 1 cherish tho freedom, on both tides. Moreover, I come from a State in Australia veil* jealous • on, this very matter. But the matter is very; different when you legally shut up per. sons from that' liberty of choice which open life gives. When the Stato says iu varying degrees of authority you must como in here and Stay here—bo it a gaoi, or asylum, or even a hospital, or a segregated home—you by law deprive tliom, so far as the State is concerned, of religious ministrations. I understand the state has built in one of the institutions a chapel for roligous services. This is logically tho exact position conceded which I wish to plead for. That ackuowledges the principle that these people ought to receive when they desire it tiio comfort and help of religious ministrations, and tho State ought, to my judgment, in fairness and equity, bear tho mere expense of that administration by whatever religious body provided, and I have more confidence in speaking on the subject because the State of Victoria haa at all events in gaols and asylums always «o provided. Dare I hope tnat this matter may receive a renewed consideration? But should 1 fail in this my first plea, may I at least most earnestly ask that yoii would entrust us with means of extending the work already being done.