Letter to the Editor of the East and south Devon Advertiser: Kingsteignton Mission: Sir, – I am very sorry that Mr. Row should look on anything I said in my last as personal to himself. My object in writing the letter was to induce Mr. Pinsent and others to pause and ask themselves whether they (though actuated no doubt by the best motives) were not like Paul old, hindering, rather than promoting the work of God. The Clergy of the parish are, according to Mr. Pinsent, utterly untrustworthy. It was, therefore, perfectly useless to quote any words of theirs to show how much need there was for a Mission. I then mentioned the anecdote, and then playfully drew attention to the fact that it must give a picture the state of the village at some time — say 1800 years ago — as it was related, not by an untruthful Churchman, but by one who enjoyed the full benefit of unerring Nonconformity. Mr. Row I personally respect and am sorry he can so readily take offence; and it is with gratitude I read his testimony to the kindness he uniformly receives from all the parishioners, for nothing could illustrate more clearly the charity of the Churchgoer than that the representative of a persecuting Nonconformity should invariably be treated with courtesy. Mr. Row accuses “A Lay Agent” of depreciating the public press. Now, sir, you hold yourself responsible for whatever appears in your paper except the correspondence; but you, as well all other Editors, deem it necessary to protect yourself from the consequences of what may appear in letters. Why? Because some people abuse their privilege: And in this abuse, I take it that “A Lay Agent” styles the “mud” of newspaper controversy. Now what has Mr. Row, the vindicator of the public press done? He has sent you a book (how obtained he does not tell you) and informed you that you may learn from it that certain persons are debarred from perusing newspapers, and especially the recent correspondence in your pages. In so doing he stamps all newspapers as immodest or profane, and this correspondence intensely so; for the rule referred reads thus: – “To be watchful against hearing or using any conversation, book, or newspaper, in which immodest or profane words occur.’’ I can’t think he intended to pay you, and especially his friend Mr. Pinsent, such compliments. But I would ask him to be a little more careful before he again, attempts to bring discredit on an organization, whose aim is only what he in his way is trying to do; viz., to help people lead holy lives, in doing this they will have to cultivate the spirit and emulate the examples of the Martyrs; and a little consideration may have enabled him to meet the unkindness of “someone” by suggesting that kindness towards those who had entered, or are about enter the Guild of St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr would become those who are so sure of life eternal that they may require no such help as this Guild affords. With regard to the removal of hassock and books by one of the principal inhabitants, Mr. Row will remember where these words occur; “Not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen. … the weak things of the world confound the things which are mighty” and again, “The poor have the Gospel preached to them.” Thus, the Church rejoices in being the fold of the poor — the worldly poor, and the poor in spirit — and will not be cast down if like her Master she be forsaken by all the principal inhabitants, much as she may grieve on their account. My name I am not ashamed of; but I believe I express the views of the majority of the inhabitants of the village, I beg to remain, A PARISHIONER, King’s Teignton, January 12th, 1876.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0798 Devonport: Savery Pinsent: 1815 – 1886