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Missionary work of Church of Ireland in Province of Fujian
One of the great achievements of the Church of Ireland was in the 19th century Province of Fujian (then Fukien), where Irish clergy, doctors and lay people were, with Australians and English folk, missionaries with the Church Missionary Society (CMS).
The most prominent were the Revd Robert Warren Stewart, of Dublin, and his wife, Louisa (Smyly) Stewart, a member of the well-known Smyly family of Dublin. Eliza Smyly, Louisa’s mother, was a strong supporter of the Irish Church Mission (Smyly Homes) and other philanthropic activities.
Among the Irish contributions was a system of primary schools, chiefly for boys, organized along the lines of the Irish Church Mission schools which, among other things, used the ‘100 Texts’ (in Chinese, of course). These schools were funded by donations from friends of the Stewarts in Ireland and England.
In addition to his work as a CMS missionary, Robert Stewart was also the overall superintendent of the Church of England Zenana Missionary Society (CEZMS) in Fujian Province, one of the largest missions run ‘by women, for women’. Robert and Louisa recruited many single women from Ireland, many of whom were members of the YWCA. Australians had already joined the CMS/CEZMS work, and, as a result of a visit to Australia in 1892, Stewart formed the Church Missionary Association of Victoria and sent missionaries to China.
The contribution of the Irish Church was so significant that, by the early 1890s, discussions were taking place on the Irish CMS taking responsibility for part of the Anglican work in Fujian Province, in association with, but independently of, the English CMS. Stewart would have been the superintendent of the Irish mission had he avoided the Huashan massacre of 1st August 1895, when he and ten others (including Louisa and two of their children) were murdered by local Chinese rebels.
I would be very pleased to hear from any members of the Church of Ireland who may have records relating to the work of Irish Anglicans in Fujian Province, and in particular to the Stewart and Smyly families.
Ian Welch (Dr)
Division of Pacific and Asian History Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies College of Asia and the Pacific
Australian National University
Canberra
Schism in the Anglican Communion
Having been a subscriber to the Gazette for some years, I write to say that I look forward (regrettably) to the inevitable schism of the Anglican Communion after the forthcoming Lambeth Conference.
At least that way, we, the laity, might finally find out where our Church stands on these issues. The demise of the Anglican Church is primarily based on its inability to take any theological stand, but rather to muddle along, desperate not to rock the boat or offend anybody.
There has been no balanced critique in the Gazette in the past several years of this, the most important issue within the Anglican Communion, but rather various lacklustre articles which merely convey that there is a conflict.
Edward Vaughan’s article, ‘Life on the far side of schism’ (Gazette, 25th April, page 12), is a prime example of this ambivalence. Having embarked on his relation of Paul’s ministry to the Galatians, he ultimately baulked at defining its comparison to the crisis that faces the Communion today. No one seems prepared to take on the debate and, until clear battlelines are drawn, further damage to the Church is inevitable. Edward Vaughan states that: "We are in danger of being bewitched by a Gospel which is no Gospel at all."
Therefore, let the Gazette be the vehicle by which we clearly define that Gospel and make our stand against the promotion of any new gospel.
William Cardwell
6 Pinecroft Park
Lisburn
BT28 3LG
The saintly Archbishop Simms, in spite of incompetence in legal matters as alleged by Canon Kennedy (Gazette, 18th April, Letters), was correct in advising me that as Dean I was also the Ordinary of St Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin.
This was clarified in the synodical definition of Ordinary at the General Synod 1974 which had the status of the Dean of St Patrick’s in mind. The Dean’s jurisdiction is limited to the Cathedral "being the ecclesiastical Ordinary of the place", and only "of the place".
If there is a superior Ordinary in the person of the Archbishop of Dublin, although nowhere is this stated in the Constitution, the Archbishop’s jurisdiction is also limited in, for example, not having the authority to question the Dean’s choice of Precentor, Chancellor and Treasurer and, as Prebendary of Cualaun, having to conform to the rules of the Chapter and take the Archbishop’s place with other prebendaries in the rota of residence.
But here there is a contradiction with the normal usage of the term ‘Ordinary’ in the Church of Ireland, whatever its connotation elsewhere. However, this in no way diminishes the very important role of the Archbishop as Visitor, etc, which I have already spelt out in my article (Gazette, 4th April, Focus, pages 8 and 9) and which I gladly recognised and welcomed in the four Archbishops during my 23 years as Dean.
So, Canon Kennedy and I will just have to agree to disagree - I hope with mutual charity. This is my last word on a matter which certainly is not high on the Church of Ireland agenda and no doubt prompts the general reaction: Who cares anyway?
Victor Griffin (the Very Revd)
7 Tyler Road, Limavady
(This correspondence is now closed - Assistant Editor)
The Ulster Historic Churches Trust (UHCT) has representatives from all four main Churches and the issue of church maintenance is an essential matter which we feel deserves attention. In 2006, we held an award scheme to highlight well-maintained places of worship in partnership with UTV and the Environment and Heritage Service.
During the visits to churches participating in the award scheme, the judges became aware that many issues relating to maintenance were common to all churches, regardless of size and denomination. The UHCT has organised an evening seminar entitled ‘Church Maintenance Issues’ in All Saints’ Parish Church, Antrim, on Thursday 22nd May at 5.00pm. This church had a condition report carried out recently and the architectural firm involved will discuss how such reports should be interpreted and used to best effect.
In addition, other speakers will address topics such as the care of timber, furniture and fittings, stained glass and general good housekeeping.
Bookings can be made by contacting Jill Kerry, tel. 9048 7395 (048 9048 7395 from RoI).
Primrose Wilson
UHCT Trustee
146 Marlacoo Road
Portadown