PRESENT-DAY OUTLOOK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

PRESENT-DAY OUTLOOK.

(Contributed.) BISHOP ABRAHAM. A LINK WITH NEW ZEALAND.

Iho farewell which was accorded to C. T. Abraham, Suffragan Bishop of /fcjrhy, iind Mrs. Abraham, in the Victoria Hall, Derby, on January 14, has more than passing interest for the people of New Zealand, and particularly Wellington residents, as Dr. Abraham was tho only son of the first Bishop of Wellington, Bishop C. J. Abraham' "No man has ever retired amidst greater showers of heartfelt gratitude and more sincere expressions of appreciation than does Bishop Abraham," states the Derbyshire "Advertiser."

The pastel portrait of the Bishop was by Professor ffm. Rothenstein, Hon. A.R.C.A., and the Royal College of Art, South Kensington. The alburn was of vellum throughout, in morocco case. The cover of the book was inscribed with the Bishop's episcopal arms, and read: "A message of friendship to one whom we revere." The arms of the See of Derby wore inscribed on the first page, the arms of the See of Southwell on the second, and followed by sketches of Lichfield Cathedral, Bakewell Church, and Repton Cross and Archway. It was dated Christmas, 1927, and the address was as follows:—

"To the Right. Rev. Bishop Charles Yhouias Abraham—To many of us the t'uet that the establishment of the new Diocese of Derby would probably mean the cessation of your work in Derbyshire lias been for a long time a cause of sorrowful anticipation. Now that this severance is about to take place, what ran we say to you to express our feeling?" Then follows an appreciation of the Bishop's eighteen years as Suffragan, and his constant readiness to help any parish in time of need. The address goes on: "You have been to us all a faithful pastor, a kind friend, a man with a heart of sympathy for trouble, with a word of cheer for the despondent, and of counsel for the perplexed, a man who was never difficult to approach, and who never stood above even the humblest of confidences."

Bishop Abraham, in a feeling reply, referred to the wonderful hospitality he had received at vicarages and rectories, and for the loyal way everyone worked around him. He thanked the laity, both men and women, for their help, and their work and zeal and enthusiasm, and referred to the kindliness of people who had taken him to engagements in their motor cars. It wa3 an extraordinary thing that a man like himself, without any academic qualification he thought, should have been chosen to be the head over teachers of religion and education, and he thanked the masters, mistresses, and teachers from whom he had learned much.

The Bishop of Derby's father, Bishop C. J. Abraham, who was the first Bishop of Wellington, is still gratefully remembered by many old settlers. He was a rlose friends of Bishop Selwyn, and it was the latter who induced Bishop Abraham to come out to New Zealand. After leaving Wellington, he was Suffragan Bishop at Lichfield (with Bishop Selwyn). Two of his nephews, Mr. R. S. Abraham, of Abraham and Williams, and Mr. L. A. Abraham, of Barraud and Abraham, are residents of Palmerston North. ORGANISED CONGREGATIONALISM

Speaking at the recent conference ol the Congregational Union, the Rev. W. Satndera said that a source of much inefficiency was the lack of a definite period of tenure in ministerial settlement. Churches should be assured that a minister settling would be prepared to give a fair term of service. Beyond that, he supported the plea for more organised Congregationalism.

Mr. James spoke on the leakage between Sunday school and Church, asking for a syllabus for Bible class leaders.

The Bev. A. W. Macmillan pleaded for the encouragement of lay preachers <to that there should be no need to call on sister denominations for help during a minister's absence.

The Rev. H. J. Ralph wanted to know exactly wliut "organised Congregationalism" meant. Did it not strike at the very foundation of historical Congregationalism interpreted in the light of the discussion on settlement for a definite period of service ? The chairman, the Iter. Lionel B. Fletcher, spoke of conflicting principles nt present holding on this question in England, but affirmed that such problems would have no great importance if only the Church would lay the emphasis not on organisation but on the seeking of a baptism of Hearen-sent fire. THE FIRST RADIO HYMff. O Thou Who first didst use a sign To keep Thy children from despair— The pillared cloud, the Are divine. The rainbow pledge at future care. Imperfectly we know Thy thought. Yet dare recall Thy ways of yore; Behold, O Lord, what Thou hnst wrought, And bless the radio, we Implore. Tti* speeding inessa«e far transcends The bounds and limits man assigns; We use Thy lightning for our ends Afar; we follow Thy designs. Thy Inws fulfilled, we work our will with clever tourli of sentient keys, And unHern wavelets boar the thrill I'o dlHtnnt shores of ether sent). O may the wave lengths of our souls \i!,i l. ,n . nntl measured to Thine own, to plt,,h no foe controls; i reserve our contact with Thy throne. —Alloc M. Hhepard, In l"" Congregatlonalist." .