CHURCH AND STATE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 297, 10 May 1911, Page 8

CHURCH AND STATE.

REMARKS BY BISHOP CROSSLEI. Auckland, May 8. In the courac of an impressive sermon at St. Matthew's Church yesterday morning, Bishop Crossley referred to the position of Church and Skate as follows: "Perhaps I may bo pardoned if 1 allude to one matter which has come under my notice. I wish to preface what I say by stating I am the last to desire that my Church, or any other religious body, should be supported by the State. I recognise, and I cherish the freedom on both sides. Moreover, I come from a State in Australia very jealous on this very matter. When the State says in varying degrees of authority you must come in here and stay here—be it a gaol, or asylum or even a hospital, or a segregated home—you by law deprive them, so far as the State is concerned, of religious ministrations. I understand the State has built in one of the institutions a chapel for religious services. This is logically the exact position conceded which I wish to plead for. That acknowledgledgcs the principle that these people ought to receive when they desire ft the comfort and help of religious ministrations, and the State ought, to my judgment, in fairness and equity, bear the mere expense of that administration by whatever religious body provided, and I have more confidence in speaking on the subject because the State of Victoria has at all events in gaols and asylums always so provided. Dare I hope that this matter may receive a renewed consideration? But should I fail in this my first plea, may I at least most earnestly ask that you would entrust us with means of extending the work already beine done." *