THE DUNEDIN BISHOPRIC AND DR JENNER.

Evening Star, Issue 3019, 23 October 1872, Page 2

THE DUNEDIN BISHOPRIC AND DR JENNER.

By the mail we received a pamphlet, entitled “ The See of Dunedin, N.Z. ; the title of the Right Rev. H. L. Jenner, D.D., to be accounted the first Bishop briefly vindicated with a few remarks on a recent charge of the Lord Bishop of Wellington, N.Z.” We shall now content ourselves by publishing Dr. Jeuuer’s letter accompanying the pamphlet; on another occasion we shall refer to the pamphlet itself : “ To the Editor of the Ecenluy Star. “ Sir,—l venture to send you a copy of a pamphlet recently' published by me, thinking it very desir.-ible that the statements it contains should he circulated throughout the Province of Otago. “I wish it to be clearly understood that, while there is nothing that I more earnestly desire than the true welfare of the diocese of Duuedin, I have long ceased to covet the honor of being its bishop. On one thing, however, 1 am resolved, viz., that, God helping me, [ will not cease to resist to the uttermost the unhappy policy of those misguided men who would deprive me of what i have termed in my pamphlet my historical position, as the first Bishop of Dunedin. “As to the fioi-dimnt Bishop of the diocese, he is simply an intruder, tie has no jurisdiction over the diocese—no diocesan rights—in short, no claim to the spiritual allegiance of the faithful. Vet it is true, no doubt, tlur. there are others more hlaraeahle than Dr Nevill—those, uamely, by whom he was induced, by false statements as to my rights, to accept schismatical consecration. The fact is, as is now universally felt in this country, the whole Anglican communion iu New Zealand is at present involved in the guilt of the schism. I do not think it is sufficiently realised in your Colony how entirely the great mass of Church people at Home are on my side in this dispute. My claim is supported, not by the High Church parties alone, but by the sturdiest Protestants also, “ Most of your readers are aware what are the views represented by the Hock newspaper —a journal whose very' raison d'etre is bitter hostility to what is called ‘Ritualism.’ To those who still think that this question is only one of Protestantism v. Ritualism, I commend the following paragraph, extracted from the Ruck of July 20, 1872 : “‘Bishop Jenner and Dunedin.— We have received and rea l a number of documents connected with this matter, and we do not hesitate to express our opinion that Bishop Jenner has a fair and honest claim to be recoghised as having been, up to the date of his resignation, Bishop of Dunedin, His claim is equally as good as that of any other Colonial bishop not holding letters patent. Opposed, as wc are, on doctrinal questions, to Bishop Jenner, wc claim fair play for all, and we respect Bishop .Jenner for the spirit be displayed in suncudering his position for the sake of the < hurch. Wc trust, for the credit of all parties, that justice will he freely accorded in the matter.’ “ And I would also bog your readers to bear iu mind what the justice is that 1 ask. Only this—that the question in dispute be referred to a fair arbitration. Dr Nevill is at liberty, as he knows, to choose the judges ; I only stipulate that they be competent and nnprc ; j udiced. I engage to raise no “ consequential claims.” On the pontrary, I promise to abstain from all interference with Dr Nevill, even if the award be favorable to my T view, leaving it to him and the Synod to set right perhaps by a fresh election and confirmation (not, of course, consecration) what is wrong, and to give up everything I have ever contended for if the judgment be adverse. “ The truth is, that ray case is so strong that I can afford to give odds. But what can be said of theirs, who refuse terms so obviously advantageous to them? What, but that they are oppressed with an overwhelming consciousness of moral weakness ; a conviction that their sole chance is to keep silence, as those who would say—‘You may talk as much as you please; you may make proposals and offer terms to your heart’s content —wc care not. Wo have got sion, and possession wc moan to keep, whether wo arc right or wrong.’ Is the Church of England iu New Zealand so strong that she can aff rd to take this kind of line 1 1 very much doubt it. -I am, Sir, your obedient servant, “H. S, Jenner, D.D., “ Sometime Bishop of Dunedin. “ Preston Vicarage, August 21, 1872.”