THE RESIGNATION OF BISHOP WALLIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1039, 31 January 1911, Page 6

THE RESIGNATION OF BISHOP WALLIS.

p. « : .ACTING ON MEDICAL ADVICE. I LETTER TO CLERGY AND PEOPLE. h The following letter by tho AHglican Bishop of .Wellington (Dr. Wallis) to tho clc.-jry and peoplo jof-'.tlie Diocese.of. Weli lington, giving the reasons which led !to | his resignation, appears in tho February issue of the "Church Chronicle" :—

"My Dear Brothers and Friends,—You are already aware that I have informed the Primate that I propose to resign the charge of this diooese shortly after Easter. If I learn from him, as I liavo good reaoin to expect that I shall,, that the majority of my brother Bishops consent, then—but only in that case—my resignation will take effect. "The decision has cost 4ne great pain, for-the work is very near to my heart; indeed, there is, I believe, no office more full;, of happiness than that of the Bishop of such a diocese as ours. And the loving --'letters and messages that both Mrs. Wallis and I have received in. the coursa of this, month would have shown us, had. ir©-needed the probf, that-we-havo _vory many dear friends in this land. Vet I have no misgiving, and for this I thank God, that I am doing what He would havo me do.

"But yt>ur affection to us both, your patience'with my failures and my faults, and: your unwavering obedience when I havo' spoken with the authority which God has entrusted to me, 1 demand that I Bhould inform' you. fully., and without reserve Why I think it'right to relinquish the work'which was solemnly committed to me this .'day sixteen years ago. -"Since'my return ■-•from the Lambeth Confercnpevr.nther' more .than two. years ago I,have known;that my strength has been lessening.- Signs v of this failure had indeed begun shortly before I left England, and "a doctor'whom I consulted in that country told me that the only cure for"-my particular: weakness-was -a-courso from, timei'.to time at one of the baths inV-Germany..-This, opinion has been confirmed, by .medical advisers in New Zealand; ' ifriro are convinced that I have. no longer the'bodily vigour necessary to tho efficient dischargo of the work of this diocese. .. .Having thus been assured that I must , either resign -at, no very distant date', or''else leave ipipertant duties unperformed,.! have come to the conclusion; after "carcful- thought,: -arid, I' am conTiticed, under the guidance of tho Holy Spirit, .that ! ought to go now. ■."In the first place, the diocese is being served'by. a strobg arid devoted band of clergy.- At .the: present.tinjo therp is no, vacant cure, except that'.-of - Palmerston North, and a clergyman. is. now on his. way to undertake the chargo of . that very important parish'.-. Then,--I cannot.help seeing, and I thank God for it with all my heart, clear signs of growth in the Christan, life 'among ' both clergy and lajty, "which is "largely- the .result- of .the late - Mission; and also- a' very strong spirit'.of brotherhood. • . I cannot conceiye a time better suited for a change of Bishop," and I have full confidence' that, with God's blessing, the new appointment will be made with wisdom, gravity, and concord.. . . ' '

"Secondly,. I : have received from my brother, the Bishop of Salisbury, the offer' of the Archdeaconry of' Wiltshire, toother with opportunities of helping him m";his' episcopal work.' When-this offer srst . came,-'the Mission was approaching, mid therefore I had 'no hesitation. in declining"it;"bnd I did' not expect that'it Would be; made again. . But now that it has-been .repeated," I have thought..it. my dut.v fb accfptl' " The'-work is in .the main, that'for "which I'have been consecritedj I-believe that it is well, within- my bodily powers, .and it will bring me witliin reach of .tho treatment the ; doctors have recommended." , Brit I am especially thankf ill that'l shall have opportunities of lightening the labours of ; 6'ne-wlip is very dear to : me, and to whom the Church, not; only at -'Home', but alniost throughout the world; owes an incalculable debt'of gratitude- - . 'A., "These;' are. the : Reasons,' the' only: rea'Joivpny resignation..'. To myself, and' to' ail those whom T have consulted, they appear-conclusive:. I .hope they will approve themselves also to your own judgment. ' .' •"But though I ,ain convinced I ought to go," the'pain of going is-liard- to.bear. "Commeadingeyou now and always to the grace of God,—l'remain', Your Affectionate Bishop and Father in God, , :; v . "FREDERIC WELLINGTON.' •Teast'-of the Conversion of St.-Paul.' "ism:"