THE CHURCHES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 381, 29 June 1889, Page 7

THE CHURCHES.

[to/tHE . EDITOR.] Sir, — I see in your issue of Wednesday last that the Hey T. A. Nome proposes to hold Presbyterian services in Te A rob a and the surrounding districts. I knew Mr Norrie when in this neighbourhood seven years ago, and believe him to be an earnest, faithful minister, so personally I have no objection to him; but as we have already in Te Aroha, Anglican, Wesleyan, and Roman Catholic services, I consider it most undesirable that another denomination should commence services here. This is a laymau's question, as the laity have to find the funds, and as a church officer, T know the difficulty there is in obtaining adequate stipends for the ministers of the existing churches, and feel that it would be most unwise to subdivide the available funds. Tbere are morning and evening services held in both the Anglican and Wesleyan churches, and there arc not more than enough church going people to form decent congregations at the existing services. Our Presbyterian brethren have hitherto worshipped harmoniously with us, and as they are not numerous ! enough to form a separate congregation I trust they will continue to do so. We have a sufficient example of the evils of this multiplicity of separate services in Cambridge,- where, I believe, there are five protestant places of worship, and therefore as many ministers to support; consequently they are insufficiently paid, and the congregations are all more or | less weak. — I am, etc., Edward Y. Cox. The Pines, Sbaftesbury, i June 21st, ISB9. [The above letter although date June 21st, bears Shaftesbury post mark June 25th; Te Aroha, Jane 26th. Ed.]