CORRESPONDENCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3735, 5 July 1883, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE REV. D. SIDEY'S RESIGNATION

[To the Editor of the Daily Teucgraph.] Sir,—l was much interested and amused on reading the report of the recent congrogational meeting at St. Paul's Church in last evening's Telegrami. There were a few gratuitous statements mado at that meeting by the Eev. D. Sidey that are quite too good to be allowed to drift down the stream of oblivion, while for modest egotism his whole speech from beginning to end is second only to tho utterances of the llev. Mi- Gillies, of Duuedin, or Mr M. W. Green, of "conscience" notoriety. Mr Sidey, having , kept as complete a secret as was possible up to tho last moment his intentions with respect to the congregation that supported him handsomely for many years past, at length calls his Hock together, and places before the few who turn up at the meeting certain proposals which he virtnally ttsks them to accept nolentes valvules. I was particularly struck with one remark of Mr Sidoy's. While admitting that ho had sufficient of this world's goods (which, by the way, wo nre enjoined in Holy Writ not to lay up for ourselves) he prefaces the admission with a saving clause which makes it appear that he is "not by any moans a wealthy man." Now this at least is satisfactory to contemplate, as we all know that the chances of future happiness for the "rich" arc of the .slenderest possible description. But if Mr Sidey has sufficient means, as ho plainly hints is the case, to meet tho needs of himself, and family, why should he desire to relieve the church that has provided him with a fair proportion of those means of a sum of £.jO per annum, for which he proposes to do absolutely nothing—except graciously to receive it. I altogether fail to see why St. Puul'sChurch should agreetotliis "liberal " proposal of Mr Sidcy's, or why (unless, indeed, ho were in indigent circumstances) Mr Sidey should receive one penny piece without earning it. Imagine any clerk or tradesman stipulating to his employer what sum per year he shall receive when he has accumulated a little competency, and desires to retire or to enter some other 'sphere of life. Tho thing is absurd. Mr Sidey also made a great deal—and I think unueeessarily so—about " the burden of this church," and the " large amount of stern hard work " attached to ministering to the spitual requirements of the district. In tho name of the prophet—figs ! Where does the stern hard work come in 't Does it consist in riding from the delightfully situated Manse to tho church twice every Sunday, and paying an occasional visit to Meanee or Petaue ? Or perhaps it is hard stern work to call on members of tho church and enjoy a. little friendly chat. Why that reverend patriarch, Father Reigner, thinks nothing of walking seven or eight inilcs--beforo ever he tastes a bit of breakfast either, mark you—in the service of his Divine Master, and no word of murmur about hard work escapes his aged lips. There is now-a-days far too much rant and nonsense talked by ministers, and it remains for the people to show their disapproval of all such expressions.—l am, &c, Cyxic. Napier, July 4, 1883.