The Affairs of Natal: Bishop Colenso and the Colonists: Letters and papers just received from Port Natal, dated June 26, 1856, afford a rough notion of the state of things in that Colony. The natural advantages of the soil and climate are undeniable; all that is wanted, with the blessing of GOD, being, good government. Neither the policy of the chief Administration at the -eve, nor the proceedings of their Own, appear to give the Natal settlers much cause for satisfaction. … … long discussion of political and religious governance and ongoing disputes … … (includes) … One of the Reverend gentlemen imagined that he found an authority on vestry matters in the Nicene Creed, which he produced with amusing confidence; but a somewhat different feeling was roused, when the presiding Archdeacon refused to accept the votes of an but such as either were communicants or had signed a declaration of church-membership provided for the occasion. Mr. SAVERY PINSENT, as a Dissenting parishioner, admitted that this would be fair, provided that the clergy repudiated State-support; but the Venerable Chairman had received no commission to make such a pledge. Some Churchmen contended, that, if, as the Archdeacon ruled, no one was a Churchman who did not receive the Sacrament, as prescribed by the Rubric, at least three times a-year, then, pari ratione, no one was a clergyman who, contrary to the Canon, covered his consecrated calves with light-coloured stockings … … (continues at length) … … … … (also) … … … This conflict between clergy and laity gave peculiar interest to the opening of the new Congregational Chapel at D’Urban, on the 8th of June. The whole cost of the erection was calculated at £659; and it was expected that, including the proceeds of the inaugural services, it would be free from debt. The site was furnished by Mr. PINSENT at half the market-value; and donations from England amounting to £160 were acknowledged, while £200 was raised by a bazaar on the spot. The opening sermons, tow of which were preached by pioneers of the American Mission, and the third by a Wesleyan minister, bore strongly upon the anti-Catholic spirit and semi-Popish ritualism which Bishop Colenso had introduced; and, although the attendance of Churchmen was very numerous, the speeches after tea were in the same strain. …
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Referenced
GRO0798 Devonport: Savery Pinsent: 1815 – 1886