THE BISHOP=ELECT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1144, 3 June 1911, Page 6

THE BISHOP=ELECT.

-4 HONOURED BY HIS PARISHIONERS. PRESENTATION TO THE REV. T. H. SPROTT, The Rev. T. H. Sprott, M.A., formerly ■vicar'of'St, Paul's, and Anglican Bishopelect of Wellington, was tendered a presentation by his parishioners yesterday afternoon. Tho function, which took place in tho Diocesan Library, was very largely attended, tho room being crowded in every part, mauy having to lie content with standing room. The Archdeacon's Remarks. ' Archdeacon Fancourt, ..Commissary of the Diocese, presided, and on behalf of the assembly addressed tho Bishop-elect as follows:-— ', "Dear Bishop-elect, a number of your friends—almost more than friends— •frieu'ds in. the highest and truest tewe, •who not only honour, admire, and revere you, but love you—(applause)—have desired to give some small token of expression of'regard to you and yours—especially your dear wife—(applause)—before your consecration."' Continuing, tho Archdeacon said that they had considered that there eo.uld be,no more appropriate gift for such an occasion than a pectoral cross, .in 'token of tho fact that their vicar was about to join the ranks of tho bishops of tho Church. The pectoral cross indicated the office of Bishop. It was not merely an ornament, but a token of his and their salvation, a sign of the faith, and a token of suffering — the burden of responsibility he. would have to bear It was of Irish design, in token of their vicar's native country. It was of New Zealand gold, and New Zealand craftsmanship. Further, he continued,'it was desired to bestow upon their Bishop-elect a token of tho pleasure and pride they felt in tho, academic distinction as of Doctor of Divinity, which was to be conferred upon him on July 6 next, by Dublin University. (Applause.) They therefore begged his acceptance of a cheque covering tho necessary.fees attendant .upon the conferment of this degree." They also 'desired to present their Into- vicar, at a future date, and after.due consultation with him as to the necessary details, with a full set of episcopal robes. Archdeacon Fancourt' then handed to Mr. Sprott the handsome pectoral cross. Speech by the Bishop-Elect. Replying to the Archdeacon, tho Bishopelect said that he felt deeply.grateful for such a beautiful gift. "So many kind things have been said to me, and about me," he said, "that I fear I shall bo tempted to write a letter lo the press in repudiation." (Laughter.) "But,". he continued, gravely, "I value the genuine-, ness of the feeling they express." No man, said Mr: Sprott, ever entered on a new" career with such an expression of goodwill towards liim, as he felt assured would be accorded him when, God willing, bo entered upon his new office next week. ' "I am glad," said he, "that this cross is of NewZealand gold and of New Zealand workmanship. It could not have been better had it been mado in London or Paris, or oven made in Germany." (Laughter.) He appreciated the sentiment which had prompted the Irish design for the cross, ■and-would value it for what it signified, and, he might add, for tho affection which it expressed.- .... The Bishop-elect then referred to his new academic dignity of Doctor of Divinity. "I have never been one to hanker after honours," he said, "but I confess that I have long nourished tho hope that some day I might -wear the robes of a doctor of divinity." '

Address From the Parishioners. Mr. T. V. Martin, then read the text of a handsome illuminated address, as follows:— - • ,

':.' To'"'tho Reverend - Thomas Henry , :Sprott, M.A.: , •' •"') Woi:tUo';cHurchwordens-and ; membQrß. of tho vestry of 'St. Paul's, , Thorndon, assembled in vestry .on tho lltn Mnv 1911. having been informed or. . your elcctioS as Bishop of Wellington, offer to you our most sincere congratulations on your elevation to this high office, at the same time deeply deplorjng tho great loss that we and tho whole body of tho parishioners sustain in having you no longer ae -vicar of St. Paul's. Wo desiro to testify to the able, arduous, and faithful manner in which you have at all times discharged ,your important duties . as vicar of this parish during the nineteen years you havo occupied that office, and to convey to you our deep appreciation of-your ncver-failing interest in the spiritual welfare of our parish and of tho courtesy and kindliness you havo invariably shown m your relations with tho church officers and parishioners. Wo thtnk you most warmly for your exertions with regard to ' the. great Mission of Help which was suggested and so long advocated by you. We also desiro that you will convey to Mrs. Sprott our heartfelt thanks for and warm appreciation of the, loyal help you havo received from her, help that has been cheerfully and ungrudgingly given at times when tho state of her health would scarcely admit' of her undertaking church work. It is very 'gratifying to us that wo aro not altogether parting from you and Mrs. Sprott, since you will continue to , reside in our city, and our church will bo your pro-cathedral, and wo earnestly pray that Almighty God may guide and bless you both in tho new sphere' of • work to which Ho haa been pleased to call you. Mr. Sprott's Reply. In renly, the Bishop-elect said that he desired" to-express his . most grateful thanks for the very kindly-worded address they had given him. "I did not," he said, "need this assurance of your goodwill, of which, during nineteen years I have had unfailing experience. It 'lias always been to me a most pleasant thing to preside over a body, every member of which I could feel to be a true and loyal friend. I shall always \gratefully remember tho unvarying courtesy and consideration' I havo received at your hands, and your more than willingness to meet my every wish. I am specially grateful for yolir generous appreciation of. tho work done by Mrs. Sprott, in tlio parish. Ono of the most pleasant things in cur circumstances is that wo do not really say farewell to St. Paul's. Everything connected with its welfare will always touch us closely, and wp earnestly pray that God's'richest blossing may ever rest upon it, and that He may ever prosper alf work done therein in His Name, and to His Glory." . Tho Benediction, pronounced by tho Bishop-elevV, concluded the proceedings. , o The Consocration. Tho service ol consecration of tho Rev. T. H. Sprott as Bishop of Wellington will take place on Tuesday next,' June 6; at 10.30 a.m., at St. Paul's pro-Cathe-dml, Mulgrave Street. Tho Bishop of Christchurch (-Or. Julius), as Acting-Pri-mate, will officiate, assisted by the other New Zealand Bishops. The holders of cards nf admissic/i are requested to bo in their places not later than 10 a.m., after which time seats will not be reserved. At 7.30 p.m. on the same day tho official enthronement of the "Bishon will take place at. a special servico al' St. Paul's.