OUR CHURCH FUNDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5578, 13 February 1879, Page 3

OUR CHURCH FUNDS.

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TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —I do not wish to set my little people a bad example. No one has a greater reverence for authority than I have. Xam always desirous of showing the same respect to the clergy of all denominations as to the ladies, for this simple reason—they are in a measure set apart to administer to us in holy things, are not supposed to, certainly ought not to, whether in ordinary life or in the papers, “ wire in they should leave that kind of thing to the J.F.’s and those sort of people. But when 1 see our elders “erring and straying” I feel it alike my duty and privilege, sometimes to “rebuke them sharply,” at other times again to point out to them the “ error of their ways,” with a view to amendment. In papers distributed by those in authority we read : Church or England.—Proposal roa the Establishment op a General Chukch Fund roa the Whole Diocese. At the recent session of the Diocesan Synod, held at Wellington, October, 1878, a resolution was carried, after long and careful deliberation, to the effect—- " That a general canvass of the diocese be at once instituted, with a view to ascertain whether a sufficient fund can be raised for the following purpose::—(«) To provide adequate stipends for such a body of clergy as is demanded for the spiritual oversight of ail tho Church people within tho diocese ; (!/) To build all requisite churches, parsonages, and schools; (c.) To train young men lor tho work of tho Ministry. As a preliminary step to carrying out tbis resolution, it is thought desirable to put in circulation a brief statement of tho reasons which led to its adoption by the Synod. Those who have taken any interest In Church matters will not need lobe informed that tho population of tho diocese has for some years been rapidly outgrowing the provision made for the supply of their spiritual wants. But probably few are aware how great is the presentdeilcicncy, or how fast tho work to be accomplished is striding ahead of tho efforts now made to overtake it. Very much zeal and liberality has indeed been already displayed in the promotion of Church work, as is shown by tho statistics of the past year. The total of ordinary revenue, derived chiefly from offertories and pew rents, of tho churches in tho diocese, for that period, amounted to no less a sum than £l3ll 6s Bd, to which must bo added £lO9 3s 4d raised for Sunday schools, and special revenue raised by special subscriptions, bazaars, loans, &c., £3009 4s Bd; while there was spent on Sunday schools £lll 4s Id. on stipends of clergy, £2720 3s 9(1, and in new buildings, alterations, and repayment of debts £2740 14s Id, But with ail this there remains the fact timt there are not fewer than nine important districts, viz., Porirua, Foxton, Palmerston. Fellding, Bulls and Sandon, Hawera, Waverly. Waltotara, and Featherston, where tho services of a resident clergyman are urgently demanded, and most of these places are in need of church or parsonage, or both. Tho district of Feilding, which, as yet barely three years old, has m w a settled population of over 2000 sonis, may be taken ns fair example of tho way In which work is being thrown upon the Church by tho material progress of tho country. Some of these districts enjoy occasional visits from a clergyman, but most of them, save for the Bishop's periodical visitations and tho invaluable services of tho lay readers, are quito uncared for. Besides those, there are many smaller places and parts of tho diocoso remote from centres of population that could only bo reached by the employment of one or more missionary clergymen. There are, moreover, five or six of tho existing parishes, where, as in the case of St. Paul's, Thorndon, an assistant curato might with groat advantage bo employed. Altogether, it is estimated that, if tile Church is to fulfil her mission at all efficiently, not loss than twelve new clergymen would have to bo obtained. Even If ample means for their support were available, it is not likely that so many could bo at once procured. Tho difficulty of obtaining suitable men from England is notorious, and wo shall no doubt have to depend in the future mainly upon ourselves for tho supply of our own wants. Wo must seek out and educate those of our own young men who may from time to time bo stirred up to devote themselves to the work of the ministry. It is not to be doubted that such will be feund if we cm only assure them of even a moderate provision for their maintenance. But how can wo expect young men of ability, with so many openings in life before them, to come forward in sufficient numbers; still more, how can we expect tried men to come to our help from the old country, with tho prospect before them, In addition to all the difficulties and discouragements of their work, of a life long struggle with tho trials and cares of poverty. Yet that this is no imaginary picture of the lot of many of our country clergy, is proved by returns laid on the table of tho Synod. With ail the help afforded by the Diocesan Fund, so largely Increased last year, there were still four clergymen receiving less than £2OO a year, whilst only two received more than £3OO, tho average over the whole diocese being £227. No comment is needed on such a fact. It will bo admitted at once that we must bo prepared to support our clergy better before wo can reasonably hope to secure and retain the services of such a body of men ns tho diocese absolutely demands. But we must have more churches and parsonages as well as more clergy. Wo ought to be prepared to build within the next two or three years not less than ten churches and seven parsonages in the country districts If we would not fail hopelessly into arrears with the work that has been entnisted to ns. Besides these, tho effort now being made to build a new church at tho Hutt needs a helping hand, and any general financial scheme for the diocese ought, in simple justice, to include provision far the interest and ultimate redemption of tho debts which some of tho parishes have incurred in building and enlarging their chrrches. Wo must also have some provision for the support and training of theological students. There are at tho present time several young men in the diocese who would gladly offer themselves to tho Bishop as candidates for holy orders, and who, it is believed, would bo most eligible for the work of the ministry, if the opportunity for special study could bo afforded them. To arcomplisii all tbis would, of course, involve a large outlay of money. The diocese, when fully organised, would require, for the above purposes, something like £20,090 a year, but probably the half of that sum would enable us to make a very satisfactory beginning of a new era of substantial progress. This would allow for the immediate building of two churches and two parsonages where they are most needed, the completion of the Hutt church, interest and sinking fund of present debt, education of three students, introduction of three more clergymen into the diocese, and providing of adequate stipends (from £250 to £4OO a year) for all tho cler.y. The undertaking thus briefly sketched out is no doubt a very large one, but no true churchman will bo disposed to deny that we ought to do our very utmost to bring It to a successful issue. The only question is in what way ? Shall we persevere in our present weak, divided, disorganised efforts, and fall more and more miserably every year, or shall we act upon the principle that union is strength, and band ourselves together from one end of the diocese to the other to carry out tho work which Is really common to us all ? If we could only enlist the sympathy and help of all, or even half tho professed members of out church the task would appear far from hopeless. There Is good reason to believe that the churcli of this diocese contains over 4000 families, or probably fully 6000 persons who might if they would contribute something towards the proposed fund. But say 4000 persons could be Induced to give a small weekly subscription, according to some such scale as this: —looo subscribing 6d each, 1000 Is, 1000 Zs, and 1000 4s a week, the grand total at the end of tho year would be £19,500. For our present needs, it would be nearly sufficient if we could obtain half the sum, whether from half the number of subscribers or for the same number at halt tho above rates. Surely It would imply a great want of faith in the divine mission of our church, as well as In tho sincerity and zeal of our people to doubt the possibility of success. All that is wanted is that the matter should be fully brought under the notice of all, and that a proper organisation should be set on foot to collect their contributions. And here it may be remarked that the scale suggested above is by no means intended to exclude either larger or smaller sums, or to make it necessary that subscriptions should be paid weekly, though in most cases this would be found to bo the best way. It should he a leading principle of the fund that all, from the richest to the poorest, should be Invited to give according to their means, and thus to give a practical testimony to the fact that they regard themselves as members of our Church If the proposed appeal to the diocese be made in this spirit, wo cannot doubt that it will be liberally and heartily responded to, and that the success of our great scheme would soon bo assured. And In conclusion wo would ask all who love their Church to ponder well what the success of this scheme means. It means timt there would immediately be a largo increase in the number of those who are helping on the work of the Church, and, from that very fact, learning to take a deeper Interest in that work, and Identify themselves with it more thoroughly. It means that the burden, if we must call it a burden, of providing for the expenses of the church would fall far more equally, and bo distributed far more widely than at present. Under the present system, those who are willing to give or easily accessible, are In dancer of being wearied out by the number of appeals made to them. Under the proposed plan (be contribution to the Central Fund would meet every demand, except for those purely local matters for which the country would amply provide. It means that the clergy would obtain, not only a proper maintenance, but that degree of Independence which Is so desirable for the faithful discharge of their solemn duties as Ministers of Christ. It means that. In the work of church extension, we should soon be able to move pari passu with the progress of the country; that we should bo able to plant a church and a clergyman in a now locality without haying to syait, for lack of fund;, til) the mass of the people from force of habit have grown almost content to be without tho ministrations of a c’ergynian. It means that our church would hi able to develops her true missionary character, and extend her ministrations to every comer of the diocese where there ate souls to be cared for. and Instructed In tho way of life, instea < of leaving them to live and dip, as too many of them do {low. In a state which Is practically little short of icathenlshj. Wo commend the proposed scheme then moat earnestly to tho consideration of all Churchmen in tho diocese, trusting that it will meet with their hearty support, and that tho blessing of Heaven will rest upon it. The following has been distributed among the congregation attending St. Paul’s Church, Thorndon :

The Rev. B. W. Harvey desires to commend the accompanying paper most earnestly to the consideration of all his parishioners. The proposal set forth in it met with the almost unanimous approval of the Synod of the diocese, it kas been explained and discussed in a public meeting of Church members, held in the Athenajum Hall. Resolutions were then passed expressing decided approval of the principles on which it is based, and pledging those present to do all in their power tp carry it into effect A promise of hearty co-operation has also been given by the vestry of St. Paul’s, after fijU and pareful deliberation. Your minister now appeals to you to showyourlovc for your Church, and your desire to promote tho glory ?»• «* aD( l*he welfare of your fellow churchmen in this diocese by giving such support as yeu can fairly afford in aid of tho‘proposed fund. In considering with yourself how much you can and ought to give, it will be well to bear in mind (1.) That, should this plan bo fully brought into operation, all the methods of raising money t or Church work (except the wcokly'olfcrtories and the pew rents) which will be left to tho several parishes to deal with as they think ■ ' pest), will bo given np, and you may depend upon having this one appeal only made to you in tho course of the year; -

(2). That it Is not intended to bring the new scheme into operation till the beginning of July, when your promised subscription would be claimed. In the meantime subscribers to the present diocesan and other Church funds will bo called upon as usual. If you be willing to subscribe, kindly fill up the form hero provided, which will bo called for by tho collector who leaves this with you. Yon are also earnestly requested to co-operate with tho canvassers, by bringing the subject under tho notice of your friends, and especially of the members of your family, and persons residing in your house, who may be able to contribute however small a sum to the proposed fund.

Street,'Wellington, 1779. To tho Secretary of the General Church Fund Committee,

Sir, —Please put my name down as a subscriber of £ s d„ ret* to tho General Church Fund, from the Ist July next.

(Signature) ’ * Put here week, month, &c., according as you wisli your subscription to be called for weekly, monthly, Ac.

No one should publicly find fault with any proposed scheme miles-: prepared with another in its place. A general fund, with power to levy rates and taxes I can understand, but to trust entirely to a general fund to be raised by voluntary contributions will never succeed. I need not enlarge, common 'sense says so. Zeal, impulse, enthusiasm, are all very well in their way, but of no use in business ; “ make no money out of them.” Were Ito be called upon with others to-morrow to “ face danger at the cannon’s mouth,” I would desire to have infused into my mental constitution a vast amount of the above zeal, impulse, and enthusiasm. “Fall in.” “Forward!” The probabilities are in a few moments I should be blown to pieces. That’s zeal. But were I called upon to act in the interest of duty, common sense would teach me, I should try to gut round and cut down, shoot down, or bayonet all those “ poor creatures ” in rear of those guns. That’s business. This proposed general church fund will, I feel persuaded, never succeed. (Three various attempts] have been made to raise funds throughout the diocese, for three general funds. The diocesan fund (a fund for helping the out-districts), a fund for erecting a residence for the Bishop, who spends most of his time in the country districts, and a fund for increasing the Bishop’s income. How much was raised towards these funds outside of Wellington ?) So far from that, it will do mischief. It will tend to enervate, to destroy, all feeling of local responsibility with those influences and agencies at work now in the various parts of the diocese, all aiding and abetting in the maintaining and extending of Church work. I would suggest to those who have undertaken the introduction of this new scheme to “hush their row and a’ that.” That is to say—l will explain my meaning—Let them pause, get themselves into the right track, and then again “ full speed ahead.” I think it better to let well alone, with slight additions. Let them by all means call upon tbe laity to increase their subscriptions within their various parishes for the purpose of increasing tile income of their clergy, and for other purposes. Let them call upon the laity in all parts of the diocese to increase their subscriptions to the now general fund, the diocesan fund, a fund for assisting the out-districts; and let them call upon the wealthier members of our Church to increase the income of our Bishop by coming forward and guaranteeing so much each per annum towards his income, such guarantee to be binding upon themselves and their executors for a term of years. A bishop should not only be free from all anxiety in money matters, but should also have all his travelling expenses paid, and be in a position—(it is due to his office) —to enjoy the pleasure, without injury to his family, of assisting in every good work. I submit that all responsibility for initiating the raising of all moneys required for building churches, parsonages, and Sunday schools, should rest with those dwelling in the locality or parish where such buildings are required ; to provide the necessary land, with at least one-third of the money required to begin with ; they themselves may solicit subscriptions from abroad ; they might also receive assistance from the diocesan fund. The balance, one-third or half, I would propose to raise as follows :

Churchmen come from a country where their church is too richly endowed ; they are not wanting in pluck or liberality ; they are unused to, uneducated in a voluntary system, indifferent in a measure, sleepy. I propose at the same time to wake them up, and educate them by an appeal to their combativeness—run them all into debt. Any man of business will agree with me that it is a pity, whilst our road boards, county and city councils, and harbor boards can have their loans, Churchmen should have so much difficulty in borrowing, having little real security to offer, our system being voluntary. If we could borrow money for building purposes, it would be a great relief, we should then have abundance of, money for paying clergymen and other purposes. If we want to keep back the Russians, with other would-be great oppressive powers—if we wish to protect the liberties of smaller nationalities—if we wish to keep down rowdies, Socialists, Communists, Chartists, — we must have accumulations, companies,—law, courts of law, Judges, lawyers, police, armies, navies, kingdoms, empires, with combinations. If we desire to carry man, with the products of the earth, speedily and cheaply from one country to another, wo must have combinations —companies; if we wish to insure men’s lives with their properties on land or sea, at a cheap rate, wo must have combinations—companies. If we desire duly and well to manage the commerce 'of the world we must have combinations, accumulations, companies, banka, large houses, merchants. If we wish to raise money for building churches, parsonages, schools, we must have combinations, accumulations, a company. What I propose is, that we, the laity of the Church of England in New Zealand should form a National Church of England Trust and Loan Society to be constructed and conducted on the same principle as other kindred societies. Head quartersin Christchurch with agencies in the centres of all the other dioceses. There should be no difficulty through the whole colony in getting ten ■ thousand shares taken up at £5 per share. The shareholders would of course receive their halfyearly dividends. A purely diocesan company would not succeed, not sufficiently imposing. When any money may be required for building a church, parsonage, or school, the Bishop and central committee might apply to the agent, who would lay the matter before the Board of Directors in Christchurch. The directors might require, besides a general guarantee from the Bishop and central committee' of the diocese, that the parish requiring the loan should provide the land with at least one-third of the money necessary for the erection of such building, raising such third or half by subscription with a grant from their own diocesan fund if necessary. That the buildings shall be insured in the name of the company to their full value. (I do not suppose our insurance companies would object to this in the case of Church properties.) That in case of churches, a proportion of the money arising from pew rents shall be paid to the company, and that a certain number of the members of the parish shall give a bond rendering themselves liable for the insurance money, with the interest and sinking fund, extending over a term of years if required. The company might receive deposits for long periods at fair pates of interest, and. when the 50,000 shares were all paid up and lent out, their security would be ample ; they might then, if necessary, raise more money by the issue of the company’s bonds or the issue of fresh shares. The General Synod should keep all clergymen in order, and the laity in any diocese would take care that ths company should not lose by any defaulting parish ; such could be made good out of their own diocesan fund. Such a society might become a useful power in the State for all time. There is another suggestion I have to make to our Bishops and clergy. Clergymen should not be proud—nothing more unbecoming “ cometh before a fall,” and that sort of thing. I would suggest that they should import a large number of books ef sermons, simple instructive sermons, to be read by the laity ; others, again, to be read by themselves. The result would be a great saving of clerical time and brain power, and the clergy would have more time to devote to other work. I believe if our lay readers were provided with books of sermons approved by a committee of the General Synod, to be circulated in the various parishes and dioceses, that Christians of other denominations would attend our churches in the out districts. There is nothing in ouy Church service which Christians of other de. nominations can take exception to, besides that which many churchmen never repeat our Athanasian creed. It always seems to me when I hear a clergyman with his congregation repeating the Athanasian creed like a congregation of good, well-meaning people doing a little mild (hush—sh —sh) “cussin’ and swearin’,” and this in church, too, my ! “ shall brothers be for a’ that.’' (The Bishop and his good lady are absent in Wanganui just now, thanks), No reformation worlh calling such was ever brought about without a “shindy,” sometimes “ crimson.” The laity of our Church will fall very much in my estimation if this, so great a revolution in our Church system, is allowed to

take place without a “ What will the Irishmen think of us ? This letter is so long and contains so much copy that I cannot ask you to publish it free of cost. But if any of my lay brethren may deem my suggestions not beneath their notice, and as I consider this proposed change in our system of finance of vital importance to our Church, and as numbers of your readers are churchmen, I may request that should any of them feel dispensed to “ wire in,” you will be good enough to publish their fletters in the usual way, provided they attach their names.—l am, &c., Thomas O. Williams, J.P. [We shall be happy to insert any letters from correspondents in reply to Mr. Williams, but hope that their arguments will be made as concise as possible.— Ed.]