AN INDEPENDENT CLERGYMAN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3058, 1 December 1908, Page 5

AN INDEPENDENT CLERGYMAN.

SPEAKS HIS MIND TO THE CONGREGATION. By Telegraph—Pres3 Association.. AUCKLAND, November 30. St. Paul's Anglican Church was crowded on Sunday night,, when the vicar (Rev. C. A. B. Watson), in place of the usunl sermon, spoke at length on subjects which have caused some dissension in the congregation. Regarding finance,, he sail £6O was required to meet current liabilities, and they required 30s to £2 weekly additional to keep things going. On the subjett of ritual antftemperance he said his views were well known when he was called to the parish eight months ago, and no objection had been made till recently. He accepted the cail under protest, because he feared his views on these subjects were not in accord with a large section of the parishioners, but he was pressed to accept the call, and requested to effect reform. This he had -done gradually and kindly as possible. It had been said he showed his head when passing the altar. He had done so for years as an act of reverence. Nobody had hitherto objected, and he had not asked anyone else to do so. It was a thing one would naturally do if passing before the throne of King Edward; how could it be wrong to bow before that which was the earthly representation of the throne of the Heavenly Father? He was there as minister of the parish, and would serve them gladly. "But," he concluded, "don't ask me as one called to teach, as one responsible not to the congregation or the vestry, but to the bishop and God, not to speak out my mind or not to do what is wisest and best in my judgment."