SALVATION AND SERVICE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14902, 16 February 1914, Page 7

SALVATION AND SERVICE.

CANON SEDGWICKS FAREWELIi

SERMON.

There was a crowded congregation at St. Luke's Church last night, when Canon Sedgwick, Bishop-elect of Waiapu, for many years vicar of the parish, preached his farewell sermon. ;

Canon Sedgwick spoke from the text, '•'Tell it out among the people that the Lord is King." He said that in choosing his subject for the last time as a member of this diocese, he felt he mustgo back to the theme so dear to him, the Kingship of Christ. It was because he believed in the Kingship of Christ that he obeyed the call ten,,yearß ago ? to come and work in St. Luke'e parish; it was for that he obeyed the hardest call in his life a few months ago when ho gave up the cure for other work, and which-ho had now to drop to take' up a higher work and a more difficult work, the oversoerehip of a diocese "in this province. Christ delirered men from sin that they might hayo liberty . to serve Him as their King. No Church had any real power if it stopped'at salvation, for it it did that it stopped Bhorfc of the eternal mirposo of God. Salvation was the archway that opened out into tho sanctuary or fcervico, and tho Christian religion failed if it only saved and did not lead men to service. A man could not be content, with re- . ceivinß and receiving; ho must givp,\ and tho more the service he undertook called out his best, the more fascinating and insistent was the call. There was no botter scope for service than in the Church of Christ; ho could not conceive any work in the Empire which gave such splendid scope for 6ervice as in the Church.

Canon Ssdgwick made an appeal for £'100 required for church purposes fore tho end of tho church year on March 31st, and in conclusion asked for tho prayers of the congregation for him next Sunday, when he should be consecrated. Ho would never forgpfc St. Luke's parish, tho parish he loved, and the parish that had trained him for the episcopate.

At the close of .the service many of Canon Sodgwick's former parishioners remained behind to bid him a personal farewell. .

Canon Scdgwick will leave for the North Island on Wednesday night, and will bo consecrated Bishop of "Waia oa Sunday next at Napier.