BISHOP RICHARDS

Evening Star, Issue 18121, 10 November 1922, Page 9

BISHOP RICHARDS

PRE3ENTATION OP STAFF. In an interval in the proceedings of tho Anglican Synod last evening Archdeacon Pitchett made a presentation of a pastoral staff to Bishop Richards. In a short and very appropriate speech, Archdeacon Pitchett. said that it was recognised how arduous tho bishop’s duties were in snob a large diocese. Tho pastoral staff symbolised various things, such l , for instance, as tho leading of people into tho fold, and the driving away of “damnable heresies.” It also symbolised tho weight of office of His Lordship, and would assist him in carry-ing-out his responsible position The idea of tho presentation bad originated in tho fertile brain of tho bishop’s chaplain, Tho staff was mad© from oak that had been taken from Bishopsgrovo. Ho asked the bishop to take tho gift as a token of the respect and) loyalty of the clergy. Bishop Riehardvs said that thw presentation had come as a complete surprise to him. He recognised the tremendous burdens of office, but he assured members.of Synod that those burdens had been mads much lighter by tho brotherly assistance always accorded him. Tho staff would be most useful for* its purposes, and he valued it highly, particulaidy as it .had come from He thanked them heartily for the gift. Tho staff was carved by Mr George Harper, who has had great experience in carying for chm - ohes in England, and also in Sydney. *