PULPIT VOICES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 268, 12 November 1928, Page 9

PULPIT VOICES.

HOLY TRINITY, OTAHUHU. CONFIRMATION SERVICE. The Holy Trinity Church, Otahuhu, was filled yesterday morning, when his Grace Archbishop Averill, conducted a confirmation service, about forty candidates being presented by the vicar, the Rev. C. W. B. Seton. In bis address to th» candidates his Grace took for his text, the words from the 2nd epistle of St. Paul to Timothy, "Thou, therefore, endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." He reminded the young ones that they were the first to be confirmed in the new church; also that the service synchronised with Armistice Day, when all the Empire would be honouring the brave soldiers who fell in the Great War. The Archbishop said that the candidates were soldiers of Jesus Christ, and as the soldiers obeyed the call of King and Empire, so should they understand the meaning of obedience. As Christ recognised possibilities in Peter, so there were great possibilities in the lives of all. To accomplish something for Christ they milst be unselfish. "We cannot humbug God," said the Archbishop. Drawing a parallel between a soldier's duties with regard to equipment and a reserve force it was necessary for those offering themselves for confirmation to receive the "sword of the spirit." It was a twain swoTd, to cut out of one's own life the things that were not good, and to attack the works which were- against God. "Don't be cowards, but endure hardness," were the Archbishop's concluding words to the candidates. Directing his remarks to the congregation, the Archbishop appealed for their support to assist the candidates to fulfil their confirmation obligations.