BISHOP-ELECT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 93, 17 October 1934, Page 6

BISHOP-ELECT

ARRIVAL AT NELSON

FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH

(Special to the "Evening Post.") NELSON, October 16. "Although I havo seen very little of Nelson —we camo straight from the boat to the Cathedral for a short service and then on to the Deanery—its beauty and its loveliness havo charmed me," said the Bishop-elect of Nelson, the Rev. Canon Hilliard, when interviewed this morning. '' My first impression was from tho boat, and it will be a lasting one. "To mo," said Canon Hilliard this morning, "the essence of Christianity is inoro important than the brand, though I do not hold lightly tho charm and the great traditions of tho Anglican Church. I havo had the happiest relations with other groups of Christians, the Roman Catholics and all associated with tho free churches. My outlook is definite. I will not compromise tho principles I hold, but I will work in brotherliness and co-operation with all Christians. Protestantism stands for freedom of conscience, and I allow to other people the same liberty I claim for myself." Among his treasured possessions he counted several letters from Roman Catholic priests expressing appreciation in very delightful terms of the friendly relations that had always existed between them. Canon Hilliard said he felt strongly it was the duty of the Church in the community to serve the community in the name of Christ and on His behalf, by its witness and its service, and by

such means bring tho community more and more into fellowship with Christ.

Ho believed there was sufficient material resources, organisation, and scientific knowledge to set the world right, if men wore consecrated. The great contribution tho Church could make was in bringing a spirit of good will, unselfishness, brothorliness, and love of service, without which no economic scheme could function. It was the great responsibility of the Church, to proclaim the great Christian principles which must be applied. It was not the function of the clergy as such to work out those programmos in detail. That was the job for the consecrated and trained layman.

Canon IJilliard has always taken a. very keen interest in sport, and was vice-president of the Western Suburbs Cricket Association. It was evident from a few minutes' conversation this morning that what he did not know about cricket was not worth knowing. Canon Hilliard is also Past Deputy Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Neiv South Wales (Freemasons).

At the short service at the Cathedral on arrival at Nelson this morning there were present Canon Hilliard and Mrs. Hilliard, Mrs. Hilliard, sen., the Very Rev. Dean of Nelson and Mrs. Haggitt, the chancellor of the diocese (Mr. T. E. Maunsell), Archdeacon Kimberley, Archdeacon Smith and Mrs. Smith, the Rev. D. Haultain and Mrs. Haultain, the Rev. B. O. Plumb, Mrs. Kempthorne and Miss Kempthorne, and Mr. J. N. Stephenson (registrar of the diocese).

The consecration service will be held in the Cathedral on Sunday, October 28. The Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop Averill, -will conduct the service. Ho will bo assisted by the Most Rev. Archbishop 'Mowll, D.D. (Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of New South Wales), and the Rt. Rev. Campbell West-Watson, D.P. (Bishop of Christ,ehurch).