DR J. D. JONES

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1926, Page 1

DR J. D. JONES

AX IXTERSTTXG VISITOR. AUCKLAND, June ‘2l. A unique position in the religious world is occupied by the Rev J. J). .Tones, At.A., I).l)., of Bournemouth, England, who arrived at Auckland by the Niagara to-day. Ihe ili.sliiigui.shei! visitor is sometimes referred ti> as | “the Nonconformist Bishop of England,” and it has been said that kid I lie entered polities instead of the Church, he would undoubtedly have' become Prime .Minister of England. Dr Jones was twice chosen as chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, an honour not yet conferred on anyone else. While chairman. I)r Jones was responsible for raising CmO,(X)!l for the Congregational forward movement fund. He is one o! a small number of Nonconformist leaders who preach in the English cathedrals. He bus preached m BounienintiUi for twentyeight years, and Ids church has always been crowded. T)r Jones intends to spend a considerable time in Australia whore he will

occupy file pulpit of Collins Street I Ciuiroli. Ah li. . :ri e. IP- will also visit some of the oilier \ustn.li.iii Slates. While ill .Auckland lie will give two j addresses:. - the first in the Ueresl'ord Street Congregationnl ' ( hnrcii this ©veiling, and the second next Sunday. , Dr Jones then leaves for Wellington, en route lo Australia. Interviewed on his arrival. I)r Jones said that the prime object, of the trip nas a rest cure, though an opportunity had arisen to liil a pulpit in .Melbourne for three months. Speaking on church matters in kingland, l)r Jones said that he was one ol seven who conferred with bishop.-, on I lie question of union, hut an impasse was reached owing to the Anglican's demand for ro-ordination, a condition not acceptable to the Nonconformists. The trend however, was towards union. Dr Jones himself preached quite iceently in the Cathedrals of Canterbuyv. Liverpool, and Hereford, while the Dean of Canterbury and the Bishop of Hereford had pleached in Dr Jones's own church : ai Bournemouth. Such a possibility would have been scorned twenty, even ten, years ago. Dr Jones, who is interested in -port, | oai'tieularly cricket, is accompanied by his daughter, who is a commissioner 1 of (fill Guides. Travelling with her is a friend, .Miss Pitman, who is going to f Australia, am! is trained in t.b.3 same movement. 1 In connection with politics Dr Jones mid that 110 had been out of touch for five weeks, but New Zealanders might he proud of the way J'lngland c tackled things during the general c ifcrikc. Ho litis a brother in Pari in- a nent, as Liberal member for the cmi- j ititueuev of Aferioneth. Wales.