VICAR INDUCTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 18

VICAR INDUCTED.

AT ST. MATTHEW'S. CEREMONY LAST EVENING. ADDRESS BY ARCHBISHOP. There was a large congregation in St. Matthew's Church last evening when the ceremony of instituting the new vicar, the Rev. G. V. Gerard, M.C.,' formerly of Petone, was performed by Archbishop Averill. The Archbishop, who was attended by Archdeacon H. A. Hawkine, carrying the Primatial Cross, Archdeacon G. MacMurray and Canon E. H. Strong, was met at the main door of the church by the church wardens and vestrymen, and preceded by the lay readers, choir and a number of other members of the clergy from city and suburban parishes, His Grace was led by them into the chancel. After an exhortation and a lengthy prayer had been offered the vfcardesignate was presented to the congregation by the Archbishop, and read the necessary declaration. The letters of institution were read by Archdeacon Mac Murray and handed to the incoming vicar by the Archbiehop, who gave him his blessing. Mr. H. O. Searle, the people e warden, then received the new vicar, and handing him the keys'of the church, vicarage and school as pledges, acknowledged him in the name of the parish.

After the new vicar'e promise to fulfil his duties as minister to the utmost of his ability had been given, evenin" prayer was said, and Canon Strong" read the leseon.

In his address to tho congregation, Archbiehop Averill spoke of the need for those living to-day to realise and welcome the spirit of progress. True progress, he said, was a law of God. The people of St. Matthew's Church should bear this in mind at such a time as the present, when a new era was opening in the history of the parish. "The present state of the world and religion k not a credit to us," added the Archbishop, "yet we as Christians believe that the golden age is in front of us, not behind. We want youth to see visions and to hrive the opportunity of applying them. This parish has been faithfully served in the past by men of high ideals and yet of different types. In this connection I would like to thank the Rev. A. J. Beck for his kind and conscientious service to the church."

The Archbishop said that he was sure that the incoming vicar had visions in his eoul to make St. Matthew's an even greater power in Auckland. The church was very fortunate to have been given a man so well tried in many walks of life, and it was the duty of his people to co-operate with him in every respect. "The diocese of Wellington has lost one of ite strongest and most promising men-," he continued. "St.,.Matthew's Is a difficult and exacting parish, and as the largest and most central church in the ?ity, must of need welcome many .

strangers and visitors. I truet that the people and their vicar will work harmoniously for the glory of God and the highest welfare of his children," said the Archbshop in conclusion. St. Matthew's has been served by acting-vicars since the death of Canon C. H. GrantCowen, in July, 1934.