BISHOP WELCOMED

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18670, 20 April 1926, Page 9

BISHOP WELCOMED

BY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

"HARDLY ANY SOCIAL PROBLEMS." Th*. Council of Christian Congregations met last night for the purpose ot welcoming tko Rt. Rev. Dr. Campbell "West-Watson, Bishop of Christchurch, and the president (the Yen. Archdeacon Haggitt) presided over a large attendance. "As the minutes indicated, - ' said the president, "we were so certain that the Bishop would throw in his lot with us that we decided to hold this gathering. I had read things of the Bishop that pointed to this, and now I have met him I know that his counsel will be very helpful to our Council. But if the Bishop carries on as he has started, continuing a hectic rush from place to place, I am afraid we- shall not see very much of him. However, we shall be glad of his counsel and assistance at any of our meetings ho mav find time to attend." As president of the Council, the speaker extended a welcome to his Lordship. The Kev. W. J. AYilliams (.Methodist) took especial pleasure in welcoming the Bishop because of the kinship between the 3lethodist Church and the Church of England. The first Methodist missionary came to New Zealand through the " kijid offices .of that broad-minded Anglican, Samuel Marsden, and in those early days the missionaries of both creeds worked together and assisted each other. The speaker had very happy memories ot Dr. West-Watson's predecessor, Archbishop Julius, a broad-minded, largehearted man,'with whom it had been a pleasure to co-operate, and lie felt sure that they would find just as much pleasure in co-operating with the Bishop. The Rev. Brian Kilroy, Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery, said that the Presbyterians were in strong ac* cord with the ideals of the Council, and they would give their wholehearted support to Dr. West-Watson in attaining those ideals. He welcomed his Lordship, not merely as the head of a sister church, but also as a scholar of no mean, repute. Mr J. C. Prudhoe, on behalf of the laymen, extended a cordial welcome to Dr. West-Watson, and hoped that his sojourn would be a happy one. They trusted that bis wife and family would have the happiest of times, and looked confidently to the Bishop for guidance and support.

The Bishop's Beply. In reply, Ins Lordship said that lie had not realised that this would be a welcome, he had expected that he. would merely be allowed to take his seat at the bottom of the class to learn about the social work that was beincr done. He was very new to New Zealand, and ho could hardly realise that there wero any social problems in the country. He had seen only the beautiful side of the life of the Dominion. So far.as he could see, the leading vices in New Zealand were murder and suicide. When he was in a motor-car, it appeared to him that the rest of tho world were on bicycles and were doing their best to commit suicide. When he was riding a bicycle, on the other hand, the rest of the people were in cars and doing their best to commit nftirder, (Laughter.) He had noticed that two of his fellowChurchmen (Archdeacon Haggitt and Canon Coursey) were in the administrative seats, "and ho hoped thathis church was not being;too piratical. Archdeacon Haggitt he know and had formed a very high/ opinion, of, and Canon Coursey he had met tliat morning in a most, delightful .manner. He was passing Church House in Cashel street and he saw a number of the clergy in their shirt sleeves, amongst them was Canon Coursey, unloading his furniture, and storing it. 'lt was a- very valuable piece of social service, and the speaker appreciated it very much.

Shaping Public Opinion. He was sure that the Council did most valuable work. It was more representative than, and different from, any other he had known. An especially good feature was that the laymen were so well represented, because the laymen were the people who really did things in social reform. It was very difficult to bring to bear the spearhead of the church's opinion, and nothingcould be done by trying : to force matters. When tho Council had'agreed on n. point they would have to lead people to net in accordance with the doctrines of Christian religion. Nothing could be done in tho face of public opinion, but public opinion could be formed by the enthusiasm of Christian people. He thanked the speakers for their very warm welcome. Supper was provided!by the ladies of the parish, and a vote of thanks was accorded them on the motion of the Rev. T. W. Armour.