A NEGLECTED CHURCH.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 990, 29 January 1883, Page 2

A NEGLECTED CHURCH.

TO THE EDITOR. There are few, if any, associations of intelligent, English speaking people that will continuously and resignedly submit to worse mismanagement or more utter neglect than what is known among us as the church of England or the Episcopalian church. One of the glories of this church is that it is ruled or governed by bishops ; and a fine example of bungling incapacity do they show to their fellow Christians who are denominated as dissenters and regarded as in some way inferior to themselves. Certainly no claim to be esteemed as equally successful or competent administrators of mundane affairs as these dissenters prove themselves can be successfully maintained in the face of all the facts to the contrary for those who are supposed to control and guide affairs in what is styled, par excellence, as “the church.” Need we say that our comments are instigated by what we see of the condition of things in the English church in Patea. The most numerous, influential, and by far the most wealthy church body in this district has been for over twelve months virtually without a proper leader—a clergyman. Other denominations are supplied with such officers, but “ the church ” has noms and this vacant position did not becojE£\ so unexpectedly. For one year, if no^f-

for a longer period,‘it was anticipated as inevitable that ; the late incumbent would be removed. Tt is true that the gap was filled by a clergyman who came for three months only, and who was extraordinarily careful from the first to prevent anyone assuming that his services- could be secured for any longer time. For two years, then, the vacancy has, or should have been, anticipated, and that vacancy still exists and church interests, and, may we not say, higher interests still, languish gaud suffer. At Hawera, under similar circumstances of neglect or maladministration, some gentlemen urged that that district should be affiliated to the Auckland diocese, in the hope that such a change of government, would be of benefit. Whether it would have been so or not, is difficult to say, but there can be no doubt that if - a regiment in the field lost its commander, or a ship at sea its captain, or a business house its local manager, the position would, in any of these cases, be filled at once by the most competent person! at hand, and the important interests at stake would not be utterly neglected for one or two years until someone deemed suitable might, or might not, be obtained from England. If it were in any but a quasi-divine institution, the obvious procedure would bo to appoint temporarily some gentleman at present occupying some less importautpost, orsome deacon or probationer, until a suitable officer could bo procured. And, until some appointment is made, it seems silly to eall for tenders for a new church, as was done recently, or to make any attempt in that direction, though, of the need of a now dunvh, there can bo no question, if a suitable minister can bo obtained, a fact that must have been clearly enough demonstrated to the two clergymen (one of whom was the Bishop) who ministered here during' two Sundays within a year past, and who were greeted by overflowing' congregations. Churchmen are- used to misgovernment, at Homo as well as in Now Zealand, and the owner of the advowson (or next presentation to the living) can appoint over them there the most incompetent and unsuitable person be may find among all the many thousands of Episcopal clergy in the Queen’s dominions ; and churchmen here conclude, apparently, that they must expect abuses of some kind, and have only to be thankful they are no worse.—l am, &c., Churchman.