PRESENTATION TO THE BISHOP OF MELANESIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 149, 23 June 1894, Page 5

PRESENTATION TO THE BISHOP OF MELANESIA.

A FAREWELL SERVICE

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, FONSONBY,

A spkcial Bervice waa held ab All Saints' Church, Ponsouby, .last evening, to celebrate the departure of the newly-created I Bishop of Melanesia for Norfolk Inland, and J al?o to admit of a handsome presentation being made to the Bishop of a pastoral stall. There was an unusually large gathering of members of the congregation and others present ab the ceremony. An interesting address was first given by the Rev. Mr Comins, of the Melanesian Mission staff, on the work of extending the gospel and civilisation amongst the natives of the Solomon Islands. The beautiful and impressive hymn, "From Greenland's Icy Mountains" was then sung, and at the conclusion the ceremony of presenting the staff was performed by His Lordßuip Bishop Cowie. In making the presentation the Primate said he was enre that all who had come in contact with Bishop Wilson would regret his approaching departure. He complimented the young men of All Saints' parish who had contributed to the presentation on their choice of a way in whic!h to show their appreciation of the work to be shortly undertaken by Bishop Wilson. . '. The Bishop of Melanesia, upon receiving the staff, thanked the "Southern Cross Boys" for their kindness in making the gifc. Ha valued it nob for its intrinsic value, bub for the manner in which he was receiving it, and for the fact that it waa part of the old mission schooner Southern Cross which, he said, had so long done its duty in assisting in the work of the mission as a ship and ab last, after having weathered so many storms, was new to rest) in God's sanctuary. Ho accepted the gift with thankfulness, and would always remember the kindness of those who had contributed towards it. The service concluded with the singiug of the retroceseional hymn "Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow." Bishop Wilson left Auckland this afternoon. The Devonport Ferry Company ran one of their steamers from the wharf to the Mission yacht Southern Cross about noon to allow friends an opportunity of bidding farewell to Bishop Wilson and he party before their departure.