CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 266, 10 November 1871, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

VJ %* We are desirous of affording every reasonable facility for the discussion of publics subjects; but it must be understood that we are in no wayjrespronsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents.

" THE LOSS OF BISHOP PATTESON." To the Editor of the Nelson Evening Mail.

Sm, — The energetic opening to the letter under the above heading in your issue of Wednesday, did not lead me to expect the signature I found appended to it. — I have not the pleasure of knowing your correspondent "N," but I should be glad to know what the Bishop of Nelson means by the ' retrogressive party in the Church.' I was not, and am not, aware that such a party exists, and hope you will protect Churchmen generally from such " indefinite accusations," &c, &e. la regard to the suggestions of the late lamented Bishop Pattesou, " that men who still continued their ordinary occupations or professions should be admitted to the Diaconate of the Church of England," I think the quotation of such a suggestion (probably made in the course of private discussion) palpably unfair, . and even supposing such a suggestion was the result of mature consideration I should feel that the admission to the Diaconate of a man avowedly a believer in the doctrines and ceremonies of the Church of England far more likely to advance peacefully the Church's work than to throw open the pulpits of our

Church to ihe preachers of other sects, whose presence and preaching, however orthodox, useful, or good, could not but lead to those unhappy divisions and subdivisions now forming so great a scandal to the Christian world. I think it must be borne in mind, that although the proposition of the Bishop of Nelson's party at the late Synod was for Wesleyan ministers only, a few months ago the union of Presbyterians and Episcopalians was brought prominently forward. I will give place to none in my admiration ot the zeal, talent, aud genuine loving-kindness of those who differ in noD-essentials from the Church of England, but I cannot forget that so long as men's minds are differently, constituted, and their training varied, so long, as in an army,"will there be different modes of meeting our common enemy. Let each man in each regiment be true to his colors, and the victory at last will be sure. I am, &c, Churchman.