THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 113, 7 April 1870, Page 5

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.)

Sir, — Some weeks since the Primate was here, and a meeting of the committee was held, presided over by his Lordship, to consider the subject of a clergyman for Lawrence ; and I may say that up to the time of that meeting, some very definite views were held by the committee, and a well digested scheme was prepared to submit for the approval of the Primate, having for its object the immediate introduction of a clergyman. Just before the meeting, however, five of the members of the committee received from a gentlemen in Dunedin a telegram to the effect that two clergymen were on their "way out from Dublin at the instance of the Rev. R. Coffey, of Queenstown. The telegram also counselled delay in order that these gentlemen might arrive. T need hardly say that the telegram referred to, somewhat interfered with the course which the .committee had intended to adopt, which is certainly to be greatly regretted, because it will be seen by the. letter which appears at foot how misled the committee had been ; and T also think, sir, that it would have been better if the sender of the telegram had abstained from interfering—certainly until he was possessed of reliable information. The following letter from the Rev. Mr. Coffey I received last in reply to a communication of mine, forwarded to Mr. Coffey by direction of the committee. The letter not only conveys the necessary intelligence anent the steps taken by Mr. Coffey to obtain clergymen for this diocese, but expounds most truthfully and forcibly a lesson which most churchmen hereabouts very much need to learn. It struck me as being so excellent, and just now so much called for, that I telegraphed to Mr. Ooffey for leave to publish it, and having received Ins kind assent, I now request you to give it insertion, trusting that it "will have the effect of checking a disposition which I regret to see rather growing upon the churchmen here— viz, a disposition to look upon the Church as a "preaching house," and upon clergymen as machines for tickling the ears of people who go to church, more for pleasure than for profit. In conclusion, allow me further to express a hope that now, without delay, immediate steps will be tak.en to procure a clergyman. I decidedly object to waiting till January, 1871, or other indefinite period. — I am, &c,

John L. Shadwell Keen, Hon. Corresponding Secretary, Lawrence Episcopal Committee.

The Parsonage, Queenstown, 29th March, 1870.

"Dear bir, — T bog to acknowledge youiv of this 9th iitst., ?nd in reply i.n ->' contradict the report that j several < lug* - men are coining out to yec^Zealaml.

" I have written home to induce two young men to come, and one has stated that he will probably sail in January, 1871. I have not heard from the other, but in course of time shall doubtless do so. By the last mail I sent an advertisement for insertion in some Irish papers, and I have no doubt there will be abuudant applications in the course of half a. year or less. I know the requirements of the goldfields, and the necessary qualifications to maintain the credit of the, clergy. This step was taken in consequence of the Bishop requiring me to seek among the clergy at home f«r men, willing to come out. You have now an. idea of what I have done and my position in the- matter. I stated that the. (average) stipend would prabably be about £300 a year, and passage money (£100) to be paid upon entering on duties. This latter is the only way I can see to obviate the difficulty tha,t has presented itself here*

' ' There is a caution which. I should like all lay men to attend to. -viz, that it is at once alien to the Church of England and degrading to clergymen to ask, them to come on trial — in other words to exhibit their powers in the pulpit before a, congregation. On the other hand I see how important it is that congregation should know as much as possible about one whom they propose to. select as their clergyman. Let all diligence be used in making a selection, and then be content. I trust you will get up the passage money, and have it ready if you propose to procure a clergyman from home, in which event 1 would prefer you sending it home. If you do so, I should be happy (after I have received applications) to go down and give you what aid I could in making a selection. The people at Clyde are also looking out, but I fear they will be compelled to wait long unless some enterprise and. faith be called into play. There are two other vacancies in Canterbury at £300 a year, so. that clergymen would not be compelled to go about like journeymen seekirg a. job. Should both Clyde and Lawience refuse to adopt the course which I may call the direct one, it is probable they may not be supplied.

"As to passage money there might be an arrangement to the effect that if the clergyman left after only a short stay, a proportion of the passage money should be refunded ; but it must be remembered that if a young man earnest and activecame, the fault would be your own were he to leave. We must bear in mind that our churches are not prcaehhvj houses, and. that a good sermon is not everything — noreven the main thing. — I am yours, very

sincerely, R. Coffey.. John L. Shadwell Keen, Esq. , Lawrence.