THE REV. A. R. FITCHETT, OF DUNEDIN.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 100, 2 May 1885, Page 6

THE REV. A. R. FITCHETT, OF DUNEDIN.

A pamphlet recently published in Christchurch entitled "Sacerdotal Pretensions; or Fitchett, the Priest of 1885, answered byFitehett, the Pastor of 1875," is well woith reading. Its issue was called forth by the recent utterances of the Rev. A. il. Fitcbett, formerly a Wesleyan minister, but now incumbent of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Dunedin. The rev. gentleman, in a recent ordination charge to three young deacons, two of whom had formerly been Wesleyans, said : — 11 What distinguished clergymen from other men was the fact that priests had received special authority from the hunda of God to teach His Word and instruct the people. Other men may be as learned as a clergyman, aa holy as he, and poßßihly better educated, but there was this diffor ence, that he had been solemnly set apart and called to the duties of the altar and pastor " He said further "that several congregations in Dunedin appoint their own ministry, and the denominations only date back a few generations, so that if this selfappointed ministry were ever directly called by God, ought not their oall to be attested by wonders, signs an miracles? Ho would not say word against Dissenters, as many were good, pure-minded, but disorderly Christians." The writer of the pamphlet ably an anges together a series of articles written by RJr Fitchett when he was editor of the '* New Zealand Wesleyan," in which he makes the rev. gentleman literally eat hi.* own woids, and their digestion must be veiy tioublesome indeed. The writer of the pamphlet winds up his review in the following words :— " It is impossible to express the feelings with which Mr Fitehett's earlier and later utterances will bo compared by intelligent readers Shall it be with pity for the intellect be clouded and the once bold, free spirit caged in the narrow meshes of a miserable bigotry ? Shall it be with contempt for the insincerity of utterances so adverse within bo brief a space ? Or shall it be with amazement at the strange perversity which can persuade itself into a real belief of that which suits the purpose and gives piomise of promotion? As the first is the most chautable, although perhaps not the most fluttering, conduction, it may be hoped that the perusal of these pages may ensure on Mr Fitchett's behalf a deep, widespread, and prayerful pity."