CHURCH GOVERNMENT.

Southland Times, Issue 1531, 30 January 1872, Page 3

CHURCH GOVERNMENT.

Sin, — A memorial from the clergyman and others connected with the Church of England here, has been recently published in your paper, and has brought out a letter in your contemporary Bigned

" Memento Mori," which, in connection

J with other erroneous statements that I individual has thought fit to circulate,

perverts the meaning of the memorial and the intention of the memorialists. Had he pointed out the statements in the document that are " the reverse of truth," he could have been answered, but his assertion only that they are untruths does not prove it, but readily prepares me for his reckless and unjust condemnation of the clergyman. " M. M." is indignant that he was not asked to sign the document, and that the vestry and many others connected with the church had never seen it.

The clergyman and the other memorialists exercised an undoubted right they have at any time to address the governing bodies of the church for the purpose of representing their individual or collective opinion on any matter ; nor have they, in this instance, in any way compromised those who differ from them. "He who runs may read," and understand too if he will not pervert, that "the undersigned" means only those who have signed — they have given only their own opinions on past action, and pointed out only their own remedies for the prevention in the future of similar unseemly contentions, irregularities, and defects. The same action is open to those who differ from the memorialists, and no blame can be attached to them, if, on debateable points, they take any and every legitimate means of making their own wishes known and their influence felt. The memorialists have signed only for themselves, and not for those who differ from them — uor will the memorial have more weight than attaches to the number and influence of those who sign.

The allusion to Dr. Jenner should not be offensive to anyone here, as it is only used to show the necessity for the early consideration of the questions proposed ; and until his connection wich the Bishopric is finally settled, will "M. M." try better to merit the compliments paid him, for the spirit of his letter only condemns him. — Tours &c, M.

Invercargill, Jan. 29, L 872

Sir, — I by no means approve of the columns of a public newspaper being made use of in denominational affairs, and thus should not have noticed the letter in your contemporary of " Memento Mori," believing him to bean a — artful man, were it not that it is calculated to mislead, and also there is that concealed which ought to be made known. In the first place, aa regards this bugbear memorial used as a stepping-stone long wished for to promote ulterior designs, it was a document signed by a few (one if not more being a well-known opponent of Dr Jenner's) praying for the consideration of reforms, having for their end peace in the church, and calculated to obviate electioneering and party strife. These sort of papers are rarely sought to have more signatures than sufficient to demand attention, and it is quite possible if " Memento Mori" had not been absent on one of his up-country trips, his signature might have been asked. No intention existed of rendering it apparent that the memorial proceeded from the church as a body, and instead of containing misstatements, I believe if submitted to a majority of the attendants at worship, its expressions would have received the sanction of those whose feelings have been divided on a subject I had hoped to see exploded, nor could it have been otherwise headed than " the undersigned" (naming the various qualifications of those signing in connection with the subject-matter), but would have had a most electrical effect upon those to whom it was addressed had it emanated from "the undersigned" (naming their various secular callings.)

The effect of publishing it in the manner in which it has been, and which should have been avoided, has been the means of playing into the hands of one who, not an open enemy, but known as " Memento Mori," betrays the impress beneath that signature of a vindictive spirit akin to those of a dusky hue, reminding a few that one person, who has apparently taken a great interest in matters ecclesiastical, has been known to aver that his aim was the driving out of the clergyman, if it had to be done by the deprivation of his means of living. Such are the Christian feelings displayed amongst those professing earnestness, and it would be well for one using such words as " memento mori," who has complained somewhat of an unhealthy constitution, to examine himself, his motives and designs, and ask himself if he is prepared for that change, alluded to in his motto, to which all must come ?

Apologising for the length of this letter, I am, <fee, Memento Vivere. Invercargill, 27th January, 1872.