ARCHBISHOP JULIUS

Evening Star, Issue 18119, 8 November 1922, Page 5

ARCHBISHOP JULIUS

A CIVIC RECEPTION. Yesterdal afternoon at the City Council Chambers a civic reception was accorded the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop Julius. Tho Mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) said that, on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, it gave him very great pleasure to extend to His Grace a hearty welcome to their city. “It was thought desirable," he added, “that, on the occasion of your first visit to this district since you have been honored by the councils of your Church by being designated as archbishop, an opportunity should be afforded of extending Your Grace the hearty congratulations of our citizens. We greet you, therefore, as the first, of what no doubt will prove to bo a long list of distinguished l churchmen, who, having attained to the head of the Church of England in New Zealand, will henceforth bo known by the title* of archbishop. To those of us who have some acquaintance with your distinguished services, extending over the past thix-ty years as Bishop of Christchurch, we cannot doubt that your elevation to the high office of Primate of the Church of England in, the Province of New' Zealand has been well earned; but wo. do not for one moment loo!: for better work from the occupant of the Primate’s chair from the fact that h more dignified title has been associated with tho office; that would be impossible, but we do hope that finder the guidance of Divine Providence you may long Ini spared the health and vigor of mind to carry on the excellent work that already stands to your credit. We are not unmindful of the personal attitude Your Grace -was understood l to have taken concerning the title of the office you now hold, but we arc pleased to know that that branch of the Christian Church with which, your name is so closely associated' has made such progress in our dominion as to warrant its leaders in adopting the highest ecclesiastical litis that their Church can bestow. It reflects upon all sections of the community and! denominations a,s to the advancement of our dominion as a whole. Your Grace will, of course, be well aware that Otago was originally settled by a hardy band of Presbyterians from Scotland, just as Canterbury was originally colouisdd by representatives of the Church of England, and when we reflect upon the headway that the Church of England has made in our midst, in spito of the circumstances of our early settlement, wo are at onco impressed by the excellent work that has been done by its people. In this connection, it is fitting that I should mention the distinguished work of your predecessor in the office of Primate, the. late Bishop Nevill. For many years Bishop Nevill was a prominent figure in our city, and we all honor his memory and recognise the great’ work he did for ihe general uplifting of the community in'general. Again, 1 will, express tho earnest hope that Your Grace may long be spared to add to the cm;-, nently distinguished service that you have, already been able to perform, and iluu the great branch of the Christian Church to which you are attached may grow and prosper. Dunedin, for which we claim the honor as the educational centre, welcomes vou in our midst.”

Tho Hon. Downie Stewart said he did not know whether any welcome was necessary on such a day, as Dunedin spoke for itself. Referring ‘to appointment to his higher office, the speaker said that he understood that Bishop Julius was elected for life, and he contrasted' this with the fact that the poor politician had to submit himself to his electors every three years. Ho contended that as long as the spiritual life of the community was firmly laid it did not matter what political party prevailed. Dealing with tho early days, the speaker said that The Anglican, Church had hadi a hard struggle, but that glonous ediiice, tlio O&tiiodriilj doinoiiS'tj&tGuj tho success that had been achieved. Sir George Fenwick said that it was well known that Bishop Julius had' been a “living force”- ini tho affairs of the country. Some of them had often read the virile utterances of Bishop Julian, and aHhouMi thev had not always agreed with him, it must be admitted that when he spoko ho ahvayg had something interesting to say. The reference of the Hon. Downie Stewart's to tho early days was not inapt, because lie ■'veil remembered that ais a small boy the Anglican Church was referred to as the “ little enemy. Dr .Andrew Cameron, Chancellor Otago University, said that he was proud to be present, representing tho University and all that the University stood for. In Archbishop Julius they had a man of biocl and one endowed with great gifts. The need of the day was for the men of God who had tho spirit of the Prophet in them. He believed with the Hon. Downie Stewart that the politician didn’t matter. The speaker said that if the Anglican Church prospered oilier Churches would prosper d Tho Rev. TV. Saunders, president of the Council of Christian Congregations, said that ono of the cardinal virtues of the Anglican Church was ’.ho emphasis that it placed on worship, and for that reason it commanded the esteem of all. Archbishop Julius, on rising to speak, was greeted with prolonged applause. He said that it was thirty-three years ago when be first sot foot in Dunedin, and be had been welcomed by Dr Belcher, who at the time was head master of the Boys’ High (School. He thanked those present for° the hearty reception that bad been accorded him.' Tin “little enemy” had no doubt been introduced into their midst from Christchurch by bis esteemed predecessor, Bishop Harper, and he was pleased to see the mark it had made in this Presbyterian centre. Referring to the remarks that had been made about tho honor that had been bestowed upon him, Archbishop Julius said that when people had reached his ago they should think about handing over honors to someone else. When his work was done and his last word bad been said it would nob take him long to make up his mind about the matter.