CRICKET.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1497, 20 July 1912, Page 12

CRICKET.

THE VICAE AND HIS CRITICS. . Some of the parishioners of the Eev. F. H. Gillingbani, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Bordesley, Birmingham) the well-known Essex county cricketer, have complained of the time that he devotes to the pursuit and. also the fact that it takee him long distances from home. Replying to his 'oritics in the current issue of the parish magazine, the vioar says:— ''It hag been represented to me that there is- a- feeling amongst some members of the congregation that I ought not to play cricket. I have thought out the position carefully, and would like to point out that (1) instead of taking a six weeks' holiday at a stretch, as most vicars do, I propose taking mine three days at a time. This may mean a day or two extra, but it means nearly all my Siindaye at home, and.no continued absence from the parish. (2) Cricket is-a distinct asset to me. If I go away to epeak to men, I am generally advertised, not as the Vioar of Holy Trinity, but as the Essex cricketer. I feel sure that many who worship with us regularly have originally been, attracted by the fact that I have this little gift—a gift which is rather unusual nmongst the clergy. (3) Financially, crickot is a great asset to me and to you, for since I have been your vicar I have collected <£300 from cricketers and lovers of tho game—r.nd without this assistance I could not have carried on tho parish. (4). Tho charge is often brought against the■• clergy -that they are ..not mon—that, they cannot do what other men do;:and in plays, comic papers, and on hoardings they are generally represented as emaciated, pale-faced weaklings, who are incapable of anything robust. (5) I know perfectly well that I was not ordained to play cricket. I know perfeotly well that my mission.in life is 'to touch the heads of • men and bring them back to heaven again.' This I am trying to do, and if I found my cricket a hindrance rather than a help I should give it up iinme* diajtely. (6) I would also reconsider my decision if I thought the majority of my. congregation desired it, but I think the majority realise it as an asset, and so long as I don't make it an end in itsfrlf, but only a means to an end, I am sure they would say 'go on end uiore power to your elbow.'"