BACK BLOCK PREACHERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 419, 2 December 1911, Page 5

BACK BLOCK PREACHERS.

A KING COUNTRY NEED. Having completed an extended tour of the King Country, Bishop Crossley, Anglican Bishop of Auckland, is still more convinced than ever of the need for more clergymen working in the back blocks. "(n my address to Synod," said the bishop, speaking to a newspaper representative, "I drew attention to the overwhelming need for additional clergy, and stated that I could place 21 men if I had them. As a result of my visit to the King Country I am convinced that I could increase that number by four if I only had the men and the means. One of my clergy there showed me a touching letter from a settler. He had called on the settler but unfortunately found that both he and his wife were away from home. The settler, in writing, expressing his deep regret at having missed the clergyman's visit, stated that ha had been seven years out from Home sat tied there, and during the whole of that time he had never seen the face of a clergyman. He asked Diteously could the church do nothing to help these lonely pioneers in the way of providing an occasional service to cheer and inspire them in their work? lam impressed with the kindness and the devotion of our clergy to our work in that district. Everywhere I received from the people a most cordial and encouraging welcome, not by any r><eans confined to the people of my own church."