THE BISHOP=ELECT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1146, 6 June 1911, Page 6

THE BISHOP=ELECT.

JO BE CONSECRATED TO.DAY, THE SERVICE DESCRIBED. The consecration of tho Rev. T. H. Sprott, M.A., as Anglican Bishop of Wellington, in succession to Bishop Wallis (who retired 'recently owing to failing health), will take place in St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Mulgravc Street, to-day, 'Whit Tuesday, it being laid down in the Prayer Book that the consecration of a Bishop must tako place on a Sunday or Holy Day. Tho Bishop of Christclnirch (Dr. Julius), as acting-Primate (tho Pnmato being at present in England), will perform the act of consecration, assisted by the Bishops of Nelson, Waiapu, and Auckland, and Bishop Williams. Archdeacon Fancourt will preach tho sermon. The service will commence at 10.30 a.m. A certain number of tickets have been issued to synodstnen and wives of clergy and other diocesan officials. The holders of these cards of admission are requested to be in their places not later than 10 a.m., after which time scats will not be reserved. At 7.30 p.m., tho official enthronement of the Bishop will take place at a special service at St. Paul's. For this service no seats whatever will bo reserved except for the choir, synodsmen, and clergy. The sermon will be preached by the newly-consecrated Bishop. ' The Anglican form of consecrating a bishop commences with the first portion of tho Communion Service, including a special collect for bishops and people. Ono of tho bishops will read tho Epistle, and another tho Gospel. After tho Gospel, tho Nicene Creed, and tho sermon are ended, the elected Bishop (vested with his rochet) shall be presented by two bishops to the Acting-Primate, sitting in' his chair near the Holy Table, the following words being used: —"Most Reverend Father in God, we present unto you this godly and well-learned man to bo ordained and consecrated bishop." Tho oath, of obedience to the Primate will then be taken, after which the Litany will be said, including the following special petition:— "That it may please Thee' to bless this our Brother elected, and to send Thy grace upon him, that he may duly execute the office whereunto he is called, to tho edifying of Thy Church, and the honour, praise, and glory of Thy Name." After the Litany the Acting-Primate puts a number of questions to tho Bishop, which the latter answers in tho prescribed form. This 19 done in order that the congregation may bear witness how the Bishop-elect "is minded to behave himself in the Church of God." After a short prayer by the Acting-Primate, the Bishop-elect will put on the rest of the episcopal habit, nnd, kneeling down, the hymn, "Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire," will bo sung. Then follows another prayer, after which the ActingPrimato and the other bishops present will lay their hands upon the head of the electod Bishop, kneeling before them, the Acting-Primate saying:— "Receive tho Holy Ghost for the office and work of a bishop in the Church of God now committed unto , thee by tho imposition of our hands; in the Namo of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Koly Ghost. Amen. And remember that thou stir up the grace of God, which is given thee by this imposition of our hands: for God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and soberness." The newly-consecrated Bishop ; is then presented with a Bible and his pastoral staff, after- which tho Acting-Primate will proceed with the ComruunioniService, concluding with a special prayor for the new Bishop and tho Benediction.