A HOLY CALLING

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 287, 31 August 1931, Page 8

A HOLY CALLING

Missionary Bishop WORK IN MELANESIA Assistant Consecrated Th* consecration of the Rev. 3. H. Dickinson, M.A., as assistant Bishop of Melanesia at St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral yesterday morning was an impressive ceremony, which was followed with close attention by a crowded congregation. Their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledlsloe, were present The procession of clergy was an imposing sight each bishop being preceded by his chaplain, bearing the bishop’s crook. The consecration service was conducted by the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop A. W. Averill, of Auckland, who read the gospel. The Bishop of Waikato, Right Rev. C. A. Cherrington, sang the litany; the Bishop of Wellington, Right Rev. T. H. Sprott, read the epistle; and the sermon was preached by the Bishop of Melanesia, Right Rev. F. M. Molyneux. The other bishops present were: The Bishop of Christchurch, Right Rev. C. West-Watson; the Bisbop of Nelson, Right Rev. W. C. Sadlierxthe Bishop of Dunedin, Right Rev. L Richards; and the Bishop of Walapu, Right Rev. H. W. Williams. The Primate’s mandate for the consecration was read by the Chancellor of the Wellington Diocese, Mr. E. F. Hadfield, and Archbishop Averill put the usual questions to the new bishop. “Will you,” he asked, “maintain and set forward (as much as shall lie in you) quietness, peace, and love among

all men; and such as be unquiet, disobedient, and criminous within your diocese, correct and punish, according to such authority as ye have by God's Word, and as to you shall be committed by the ordinance of this realm?” “I will do so, by the help of God,” was the answer.

The Bishop of Melanesia, In his sermon, referred to the Importance of a bishop’s position. A bishop, he said, was not only the shepherd of his diocese, but in his life and teaching must be a faithful follower of his divine Master. A bishop had to promise before. God to drive away all false doctrine, and, much as he might dislike it, had to decide whether such and such a doctrine was in accord with the teaching of the Church.

“We have what is known as the new thought to-day, but In Melanesia it is the old thought that has to be tested,” he said. In the islands the natives ■looked- to the bishop far more for fellowship than for lordship. Our Lord had enjoined his apostles to build a universal Church, and there was a field for Christian unity in the islands. Care had to be exercised in Melanesia not to disturb unduly native customs, and there was always a danger of the native copying the man. He had occasionally to object to some native customs, such as freely cutting women's faces with small and very sharp knives. The assistant bishop who was being consecrated that day would find much to admire in the islands of the Pa'ciflc. “I think the natives are much more generous than we are,” Bishop Molyneux proceeded,, “and they should' be encouraged ■to develop theii own hearts.” There were many things in heathen life to admire. Our Lord had said, “I come not to destroy, but to fulfil.” The new bishop would find tranquil peace in tho islands, and would leave behind him the rush, haste, speed, and restlessness of the modern world.. It was a good thing that the new bishop would go out to the islands young; it was a young man’s work, and demanded strength. His missionary work in Japan would help in Melanesia, and he would not go far wrong if he endeavoured to get the viewpoint of the natives. “God has called us to a holy calling, not according to our own works, but according to His purpose,” his Lordship concluded.-