MELANESIA

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 145, 16 December 1924, Page 6

MELANESIA

THE ASSISTANT BISHOP

(won our own corrispokdsnt.)

LONDON, ", 21st .October. It seems" that the acceptance of ihe Assistant ,Bishopric of Melanesia by the Bey. Frederick Merivale Molyneux, vicar of High Wycombe, was contingent upon it being made possible for him to remain in England until next' June. So soon as word was received by cable from the Archbishop of New Zealand on behalf of the Synod, agreeing to this arrangement, the announcement of Mr. Molyneux's, acceptance was made public. . "Since 1920 he has been vicar of High Wycombe, and he was naturally anxious that he should see the-work' well advanced in connection wiifch a new "church which 13 being built in his parish, 'and also, restoration work in connection with the. tower of the parish church. The son of the Rev. F. E. Molyneux, rector of Martyr Worthy.1 and grand-, son, of the late Mr. Justice Molyneux, Q.C., of Enniskerry, County Dublin, the educated at Stoke House) Slough; at Bransgor, Hampshire, in 1885. He was educated at Steko House, Slough; at Rossall School, and. at Keble College, Oxford, 1904-1907. From 1907-08 he was in Germany, and for the following year he was 'at Cuddesdon College. His' ordination as deacon took place 'at Eippn in 1909 by Bishop Boyd Carpenter, when he was appointed to the curacy of All Souls/ Leeds. Four years later he left. All Souls to bec'Ske chaplam- of Cuddesdo^ College. In 1916 he was appointed chaplain to the forces. After a short time on service at Woolwich, Mr. Molyneux went to Mesopotamia. For four months he was chaplain to the 40th British General Hospital at Basra, and for six months chaplain to the 23rd British Stationary Hospital at Bagdad. Following this, he was for over, two years chaplain to- General Headquarters and the garrison at Bagdad. In 1918 he went on leave to India and Ceylon. In October, 1917, he was.-mentioned- in General 'Maude's dispatches, and at the end of 1918 was awarded the M.B.E. In the middle of 1919 he returned to Cuddesdon, and was appointed to his present living at High' Wycombfl in; April, 1920. > . '' Referring to: the appointment -of the Assistant-Bishop, the "Southern- Cross Log remarks: "It is with;the most heartfelt thankfulness that we record this step-_towards the efficient working of the: mission, and the relief of Bishop Steward ,fr,om some part of tlie far too heavy burden which he is at present compelled to bear. Many testimonies point to 'Mr. Molyneux as being jusfrthe man required: for the work. :■ His parishioners at High Wycombe will feel very smcerre regreat at parting from liim. But they will/have reason for pride in being able to make such a contribution,to a ' work: overseas which so much needs strengthening. And it will he very necessary that, supporters ,of ;the '■ mission, and many, we hope who are"" not supporters as yet, should do everything in their, power to supply .the means, both in money and .human material, for rising to the measure of present and future neds. Of this wo shall have- more to say presently. It. is to be hoped that the new'Assistant-Bishop will be able to takeout a good; band of recruits especially clergy and a doctor." . !' ' . ' ' Last month Mr., Molyneux wrote a letter addressed'to: ''Dear Friends of the Melanesian. Mission.?' This letter- appears in the "Log," and-reads thus: "I want to use. the 'Log' as a means of conveying my gratitude to all those who have sent me their good wishes for my work in Melanesia. It has been a great encouragement to me to receive such - a shoal of letters as I have had.- I am very .conscious of my many limitations, and if I am to fulfil the expectations of you all as Assitant-Bishop, I know I can only do it if you will support me by .your prayers. So please pray for me now that, I may be fitted for the. responsibility '■ '-and-afterwards, that in humble dependence on God Who' has^ called me to the work, ; I may-be faithful in His ser.vice in those distant, isles. . , ■■' -.- _ "I know that.l have undertaken to join the-mission at a time when the committee are anxious about funds. I trust ■yon will all. do your to wipe outthe deficit of-which our good treasurer ; mforms us. If the mission is togo forward, we must be ab|e to increase the staff, considerably, and it would be a ;great.]oy to me and to those in-Melan-■esia if; when'l go'out next summer,-! could take with me a number of new workers.. God wants that, and there- ■ -S "?. who- are called: to co-operate with. Him . must want it too. People in .New Zealand are going, to-make a special effort, and I know that you who Mve'done so'much, in the past, to help' the mission will not be behind them; We' have yet to convince many church people that you cannot be a/Christian and' not be actively .interested .in missions, lnose who -are interested must convince' those who are, not. So pray and work' and giv l6 . and,get.;others to"'do so.; Remember, that those who are working in--the mission field are doing your', work and they are counting on your love' and your support. You won't let them down, will you?" . . '■■.-'■, . ' APPEAL FOE FUNDS. '■-■„- Jn makings an appeal to England to • ; do her part, in helping to work off. the mission s, deficit*of £6566, .the "South-, crn Cross Log" says' that all signs point to the. time-having come for a decided .move, forward outside, the present scope 01.-the^micsion, and for/great develop--ments of increased efficiency within-the wuly, native Church which Bishop Selwyns prophetic'vision saw is taking ,s^ aP e- The editor of the "Log" says £I|mnl J)e°Pi e in BnSlalld could.raise' ±fJOO beyond ordinary receipts this year they would have done most of their share toward extinguishing the debt." It is felt needs. Of this we shall,have more to