St. George's Church.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3973, 22 September 1881, Page 2

St. George's Church.

MEETING OF THE CONGREGA-

TION.

A large meeting of members of the Church of England took place last evening at St. George's Church, His Lordship the Bishop of Auckland presiding. The object was Jo consider the proposed ex* change of cures between the Hers Messrs Lush and Calder (Hamilton). At the request of His Lordship, Mr Lush stated at some length his reasons for desiring to be relieved of his spiritual charge at the Tliames, which were—that the requirements of so large a district demanded more strength and activity than a man of his years posssessed. He wished it to be understood that he was not anxious to leave the Thames from any other motive than that of endeavoring to serve the interests of the Church. He was sure '(.hat when the timo oamo to say "good-bye" he would feel acutely the pain of leaving a place in which he had labored thirteen years, and made many friends.

Dr Kilgour, speaking on behalf of others, asked the jtfishop as to the alleged ritualistic tendencies of the Rev Mr Calder.

His Lordship replied that he was quite sure Mr Calder would not do anything repugnant to tha feelings of true Churchmen, but that he would act with wisdom and discretion. If there were any persons present who had visited Mr Calder's Church at 'Hamilton, he (the Bishop) would ask them.to say what they thought of Mr Calder's mode of conducting the service.

Mr Coney said ho had some personal knowledge of Mr Calder, and thought that he was eminently suited to the requirements of the Thames. : After Bocao discussiou, Mr G. N. Phillips, in a ueat speech,/ expressed

what he said he thought was the cause of so much hesitancy, in aoceptiug at once the proposal of His Lordship. The people, he said, at this place were what are termed low churchmen. They have a horror of an ornate ritualist, and though he himself had no prejudices in the matter, he thought that an assurance from the Bishop that Mr Calder would not introduce what some persons are pleased to call ritualistic practices. The people of St George's would not object to the exchange. His Lordship again assured the meetingthat he was satisfied Mr Calder would not do anything to offend the members of the church. Finally, and after some discussion, it was resolved-—THatf' We churchmen of St. George's having been informed by the Bishop that in his opinion it would be for the good of the diocese if an exchange of cures were' effected between the clergymen of St. George's and Hamilton, the vestry of St. George's are hereby instructed to give the Bishop their assistance in effecting the exchange, but the meeting desires it to be placed on record that tiiey have not expressed any wish for the severance of their connection with their much respected minister, Mr Lush.

A meeting of the vestry was subsequently held to confer with the Bishop on the arrangements for the proposed ex* change in terms of the resolution of the general'meeting. ' • ■'■•'■'-■"?