BISHOP JULIUS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15899, 10 April 1912, Page 4

BISHOP JULIUS.

PROJECTED VISIT TO OLD COUNTRY. A FAREWELL FROM DIOCESAN BODIES. The members of the Canterbury Diocesan Synod and other diocesan, bodic-s met in Christ s College rary yesterday afternoon to * farewell to Bishop Julius and *. , Julius, who are about to leave Christchurch for a trip to the Old Coon i.v Dean Harper presided over a tan - largo gathering of clergy and laity. Dean Harper said that Bishop Juliu.> and Mrs Julius would bo sorely linsse ■ Bishop Julius was a hard worker, w i always treated the clergy , 0 ?. 11 " cese with kindness and sympathy , an s Julius had always taken a kindly interest in all matters pertaining to tn diocese and had been forward in a great many good works m Christchurch. Ho. wished them a pleasant holiday and a safe return to these uho loved tliem so well. (Applause.) Colonel Sinter, chancellor of tlio diocese. on behalf of the laity, expressed good wishes for a pleasant voyage and ti safe return. ITc said that/ the bestthing for any man was to take periodic visits to other parts for the broadening of his vision. Bishop Julius was leaving Christchurch at a time when there was an epidemic of anonymous writings levelled at those in authority, whether it was the Bishop of• the diocese, or General Gndley, who was instituting that very beneficial system of universal training. “I cannot'too strongly express my abhorrence of theso tactics, Colonel Slater continued., “ and tho worst of it is that their authors escape a just retribution bv withholding their names. But to us, the faithful laity of your diocese, you can safely trust your honour. \\c know the very many difficulties attaching to your high office, i We also feel assured that you have always had tho best interests of every parish at heart; and a priest, so long as he is faithful to his duty, will receive j-our support. So wo will let Die anonymous writers rail ns they will. I think the laity hayo tho greatest respect and affection for you, and recent events will not lesson the pleasure of your trip to Great Britain. I trust that you and Mrs Julius will enjoy evevv happiness, and return in good health and renewed vigour to labour among us for many years to come.” (Anulause.)

Bishop was received with very heartv applause on rising to respond. The kindly farewell, he said, came very happily at the present time, and lie was glad to know that with all the difficulties with which he was beset he yet retained the confidence of hits people. He was not going to refer to any matters of controversy at the present time, as they were not easy to travel through. He could only say, first, that however men might differ from the action ho might take, very few of them knew the bases of that action however, ready they might be to pronounce an opinion on it. Secondly, lie adhered most firmly to that principle he had laid down many years ago that" party opinions had no weight with him. Bishop Julius went on to say that as one became older, one was not so fond of travelling an in younger days, and he had had a good deal of reluctance in uprooting himself for the present voyage. A bishop was apt to fall into a groove and become parochial in his thoughts and actions, and it was necessary to refresh himself at times by converse with the greater world outside. It was very largely with that object in view that he was taking a. journey Home. He could not plead illness—he was as strong as a horse; but one became fagged, in mind more than in body, and ho was thankful that God had given him the opportunity of going Home and getting some knowledge that would lie helpful to his dioccso. He thanked those present for coin’ng together. It was pleasant to know that he was • leaving , the diocese in the good' hands' of the Dean, who would have the hearty and earnest support of the archdeacons, clergy and laity. No bishop had more hearty support and faithful service than was rendered in the Canterbury diocese. He was especially

pleased to know that their kindly greeting and farewell was extended to one infinitely more jvortliy than ho was. If it were not for his dear wife their Bishop would he worth very little indeed. It was her service, her prayers, her sympathy and her example that had held him up for the last forty years. (Applause.) However unworthy ho knew himself to bo of tho kindness so unfailingly shown to him, he knew that she was worthy of every kindness that they could show to her, and of that lovo and esteom which he knew they all bore towards her. He was going Home for a holiday. Ho thought it would he a pleasant one, and he hoped to com© back a better man and moro ready for work during such time as God was willing he should serve among them. (Applause.) Afternoon tea was then served, and those present exchanged personal farewells and good wishes with tho Bishop and Mrs Julius.