THE HOSPITAL AND THE CHURCHES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 285, 17 July 1873, Page 6

THE HOSPITAL AND THE CHURCHES.

(To the Editor.) Sic, — It did not occur to me in writing my letter recommending an annual collection , in the churches on behalf of the hospital that the gauntlet of a theological controversy would have been thrown down over it. On that score the letter of " Strange but True" is tempting ; only your readers would not thank me for taking it up. At the same time I may be permitted to remark that if " Strange but True " were here in the early days, it is a pity he did not put his theory of gathering into one church into practice ; but not having had or having missed the opportunity, we must reserve our judgment on the practicability of his plan until it is expounded. Meanwhile it is to be regretted he should intercept a proposal intended for the benefit of the hospital until the light he hopes for •should " burst in upon our children qj?

children's children." It appears to me, strange hut true, that your correspondent has not supported his assertion by fact that the low state of the hospital funds is due to the multiplication of churches. Did he consult the annual reports before rushing into print ? Did he take into his account that in the early days of the hospital it had Government subsidy first of £3 for every £1 raised by voluntary subscription, then 2 for 1, and now only 1 for 1. Did he ever take note that the Committee have been repeatedly urged to greater zeal in the collection of the funds, or enquire if the management had been all that it should have been ? Did he make any allowance for a fitful zeal ? Since your correspondent's letter I have examined five annual reports, and I find what I think traces of such a thing. Moreover, the following account ( of subscriptions for the five years previous to 1871 will show that the multiplication of churches has had very little co do with, it :

I would call attention to 1569. That year Mr. Martin had left, and there was no Congregational minister in the town ; but it was a year of great commercial depression. Besides, as a sample how the subscriptions are influenced by districts where the multiplication of churches has had little to do wifch the business, IJwould instance merely the case of Wai pori. By Mr. Buchanan there was collected there in

The Blue Spur on the other hand contributed in 18G7 £14 18 6 1870 80 13 0 I could have selected more to my purpose, but the above may suffice. Meanwhile I should be sorry if this were to turn aside the proposal I have submitted of an annual collection in the churches on behalf of the hospital. — I am, &c. Jonx Menzies. [The above letter had been mislaid, hence the delay which has occurred in its publication.— Ed. " T.lV]

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