CHRISTIANITY IN KENYA
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I think it would interest Mr. Allen to study the system in vogue in India for providing services where there is a dearth of chaplains, as it might be a possible solution of the difficulty in Kenya.
Wherever there is a church or a recognised station which has to be visited by chaplains at fixed intervals Lay Trustees are appointed by the government on the recommendation of the Bishop. These Lay Trustees hold regular Sunday services and, where the congregation wishes, preach or read the sermons of some well-known preacher.
In cases of emergency they administer baptism and read the burial service. They cannot of course celebrate Holy Com- munion or perform the marriage ceremony, but they serve in a good many places as unpaid clergy.
If, as I imagine is the case, there are sufficient educated persons in Kenya to fill such posts their appointment to offices similar to that of Lay Trustees would go far to meet an obvious need.—Yours faithfully,
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