MELANESIAN MISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 92, 18 April 1913, Page 6

MELANESIAN MISSION.

BISHOP'S APPROACHING DEPARTURE. A VALEDICTORY SERVICE. .__!'i c a *. lanesia n Mission steamer. Southern Cross was to shave taken her departure for Norfolk Island and the New Hebrides, Santa Cruz, and Solomon Uroups -to-day, but., owing to some delay in the completion of the three motor launches which are being built for the mission by Mr J. H. Slattery, King's Uiive, her departure has been postponed till noon on Monday. One of the launches is. being tested this afternoon, and the other two are expected to bo ready tomorrow. The Southern Cross has taken in all stores and cargo, and is now lying in the stream, ready to sail. She will visit Australia after visiting the mission stations, and will probably not .return to Auckland until about nine months' hence. A choral celebration iof Holy Communion was held as a valedictory service this morning at All Saints' Church, Ponsonby. The Yen. Archdeacon Calder (vicar) was celebrant. The Bishop of Melanesia and the Yen. Archdeacon Uthwatt wore present in the sanctuary, and the following assisted: Revs. F. Drew, A. Sage, W. E. Long, and Mr C. Sage (of the mission), Revs. A. Richards, E. Forrester, H. A. Favell, and E. H. Strong (sub-warden of St. John's College). Other clergy present were the Revs. W. H. Wilson, the warden of St. John's College (Rev. R. T. Williams), C. ; Morse, F. Geddes, E. Chitty, A. Vcnables, and C. Hawkes. There was a large congregation. The Bishop of Melanesia delivered a short address on the text, Acts xiii., 2: v 'The Holy Ghost said, 'Separate mc Barnabas, and Saul for the work whereunto 1 have called them.' And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." He said, that the solemnity of the service was great, but it was a meaningless one without tbe conviction that the Holy Spirit had sent forth those who were departing. It was usqless for them to go unless they believed that the Holy Spirit had touched their lives, and set them apart for the work. He asked those who were left behind to think of the Holy Spirit as the real Paraclete, the Advocate Who spoke to them in their prayers, and was also the perpetual Intercessor within' 'the veil. Addressing the clergy of the mission, he said: "You havebeen called to a great work—three of you are going out to it for the first time—you have joined that great scale of service which begins with the angels and archangels and ends with the clergy and the lay ministry." He exhorted them in times of trouble to stop and thank God that He hadgiven to them to follow in the footsteps of Patteson and the two Selwyns, and to remember that their purpose was not satisfaction, but service. Those who prayed for the mission lie would nsk to be expectant in their prayers, and particularly to pray that the lives which God gave to the care of the mission might be kept safe, and that they (the missionaries) might keep themselves worthy of their calling. At the close of the service the Bishop shook hands with most of those present, and bade them good-bye.