ONE CHURCH FOR NASEBY.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 178, 2 August 1872, Page 3

ONE CHURCH FOR NASEBY.

(To the Editor of the Mokstt Ida Chronicle.)

Sir, —While, in'vanous other parts of the world the members of the churches of England, and Scotland are quietly discussing tiie question of making one church, in thinly populated districts, answer both, bodies as a place of public worship, here in Naseby . strenuous efforts are about to be made by both denominations to raise money by subscription for building cburch.-s for each.. Can is be that we are more bigoted in regard to'our respective re-ligious-principles,, or more jealous of each other, than people of otner parts that-we cannot discuss the question as they do? Probably neither bigotry nor jealousy has anything, to do wifcii it, but? simply that the question has never been properly considered nor discussed, and therefore a misunderstanding exists. i\ r ow, Mr. Editor, though JNaseby is undoubtedly the most prosperous milling i ownship in the province, yet in it there, are many l.irge families whose parents fiud that it is only by strict .economy that they can keep out of debt, and maintain and educate their children. It is only a few days ago . since the head of a well-to-do

family, remarked to myself tliat subsciption lists were becoiniugso trequent as to be unbearable, ami that, together with them and the high rate of all necessaries of life, families would be driven out of Naseby to sa«k a more favoured locality in which to live. Amongst us there are, no doubt, a 1 few who are always pre part dto contribute largly to every good cause, but they should bear iu mind that they have many neighbours who may be equally zea'ous though not so prepared at ail .times,.utiles?, indeed,"they disregard tLe grand Apostolic precept — : "Owe no man anything, but to. love

one another." . Lt would certainly he advisable.that both denominations unite and contribute to the building of one church, and thus v save a* considerable outlay... To build t\ro -churches is beyond, the means, and the wants of so, small a com-

mumty. ~...: There is no reason . whatever why one building, by arrangement, mignt not be made available, and alternately oecupied by both bodies., .We have, already located amongst us a Pre.sbyterian "Minister, who preaches at ,Kyeburn Diggings every alternate Sunday,. and as the Minister of the Church of England will only come occasionally to preach at N r aseby, it must he .evident to all that neither party would be ineonvenieneed by holding their respective services in one building. 1,, .therefore, in common with manv more, like-minded, call upon you, Mr. Editor, to use our influence as a journalist—having, in that capacity, considerable power in niovingthe minds of your readers, 10 act iu accordance •with your suggestions—to . propose ways and means for the furtherance of the .above scheme, which would, undoubtedly, prove most beneficial to the partiesc ncemed.. Hoping to see tins mo.st important subject taken up by unprejudiced minds,, and especially, by .yourself, I am, &c. t . . _. . Presbyterian.