An Appeal to Churchmen.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 89, 9 October 1894, Page 3

An Appeal to Churchmen.

— The Church Chronicle of the lst inntaot han the following statement of interest to all churchmen in the Diocese : The stipends of several ofthe olergy in the Diocese are largely in arrear for the year ended SOth June last. These arrears, in eluding the secretary's salary, amount at the present date to £396- Towards meetmg this there are certain outstanding assessments, amounting to £376, and a few subscriptions. It is estimated that from £100 to £120 of outstanding assessments chief!) due from new country districts, which are unable to pay the full amounts at which tbey have been assessed, will not be rei-eived. This will create a des fioiency of like amount, to meet whioh tbere are no available moneys As a consequence, tha stipends of clergy affected by it muft remain in arrear until additional money a are received. Together with thn. deficiency there is again this year a falling off in the amount of tbe speoial offertories in aid of tbe General Church Fund, caused by the inclemency of the weather on tbe appointed Sunday. No increase of receipts ia therefore to be expected from this source. The Special Fund, inaugurated for the benefit of the country distriots two years ago, is now nearly exhausted. The utmost to be ex ptcted from it for the current year is £150 as agai out £255 for tho past year Two things are accordingly asked for : (1) Immediate donations to meet the deficiency in the receipts of last jear, and to make possible tlie payment in full of clergy stipends. (2) An increase of at least £300 in the annual tubscriptions to tbe General Church Fund from churchmen throughont the Diocese, i.e., of subscrip tions for genet al purposes, as distinct from those toward the local assessment. It is hoped ihat ibis appeal may meet with such a response as will enable the ohuroh to fulfil its engagements, and its increasing obligations to its scattered members throughout the diooese; and it is re« quested that any special donations or annual subscriptions which may be called forth by it may be given or sent to the Yen Archdeacon Fancourt, secretary to tbe general church fund.