The Dominion. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1909. ELECTION OF A BISHOP.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 615, 18 September 1909, Page 4

The Dominion. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1909. ELECTION OF A BISHOP.

The Anglican Synod and people of the diocese of Waiapu are to be congratulated, upon their choice of such a strong and capable man as Archdeacon Averill to succeed the Riqht Rev. W. L.. Williams as their bishop; ; De. Williams has presided over the diocese with honour to himself and satisfaction to his clergy and people for some fourteen years, and his wise counsel, ripe experience, and sound judgment will be greatly missed, not only in tho Diocesan Synod of Waiapu, but also in the General Synod, where his opinions always carried great weight. Archdeacon Averill is in the prime of life, a man of action and of keen intellect, and his vigorous personality should give a fresh stimulus to the spiritual, life of the diocese. He belongs in some rcBpect? to a ■ different school pf thought from that of his predecessor, but the Anglican Church is broad enough to include, and even welcome, a very wide diversity in matters of opinion and methods of administration. An interesting feature in connection with the , election of Archdeacon Averill is' the fact that the choice has fallen on a man who has already done splondid work fpr the Church of the Province, of New Zealand, and it is gratifying to knew that tho Synod of Waiapu has not found it necessary;to go outside of the Dominion for its,!bJshop, This'is as it should be, for it would.have a most discouraging effect upon the clergy 'of New 1 Zealand*if it came to be understood that they were ;to bo rigidly excluded from-the highest positions of honour and. responsibility in tho Church. It would, on the.other hand, be a very serious mistake for' the Church to limit its field, of .choicq in the election .'.of its. bishops to this young; Dominion. After taking every qualification and circumstance into consideration,' tho,best man 'available should bo , obtained, .no matter whore he •' may come from; ; but ■ all other tiings' being equal,' preference should be £,Ivento a Now Zcalander. ' : .

. While,■ -.of.course,', other factors, must not bo overlooked, it would be sheer folly in theso days 'of enlightenment even to appear to under-rate the valueof scholarship, and therefore it is wise to get men fromtiinc to time fresh from the. great seats of learning.to fill these high places of intellectual and'moral leadership. Bishops aro expected ; to' be leaders of thought, as well a-s "capable organisers and administrators, and in dealing with such questions as Biblical criticism, the influence of modern scientific and philosophic thought upon religion and theology, and the moral witness of- the . Church,- regarding, some' of the great social questions of the day, the knowledge of a trained expert is essential.. We are living in a time when men's ideas on many subjeots are being revolutionisedj and for our •■ religious leaders we require men of sure aiid well-balanced minds, capablo of distinguishing between established ■> facts and reckless spequlations, and nbf afraid to follow .truth wherever it may lead. At the same time they must be something more scholars and theological experts; they must be men who understand, their fel-lows—-men of judgment and sound common sense; and the general opinion seems to bo that.the IMocese of Waiapu has found such a man in Aeckdeacon Aveeill, who enjoys the combined advantages of a university education and extensive practical experience in tho affairs_of everyday life. If he accepts tho position his- appointment is sure to be confirmed by the Standing Committees of the other dioceses, and his consecration will probably take place in time to allow, him to take his se"at among the other bishops at the General Synod, which.is to be held in Wellington at the beginning of next year. •