BISHOP OF AUCKLAND.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 98, 27 April 1911, Page 2

BISHOP OF AUCKLAND.

CONSECRATION CEREMONY

AUCKLAND, April 25

An' event of historic importance in the Anglican Diocese of Auckland took place this morning, when the Venerable Archdeacon Owen Thomas Lloyd Crossley was solemnly consecrated to the office of bishop of this, the oldest see in the province of New Zealand. Long before the hour at which the service was to commence the picturesque, if unpretentious, cathedral church of St. Mary was filled with a congregation of nearly a thousand persons, representing all parts of the diocese. Other 'religious denominations were represented by the Rev. G. Bond (Methodist), W. Trotter (Presbyterian), A. North (Baptist), S. Griffiths (Congregational), and Mr R. Land (Church of Christ). A special combined choir of about 100 voices took part in the service, and Dr W. E. Thomas was organist- The litany was intoned by the Rev. Canan Macmurray. Those taking part in the procession with which the ceremonial commenced were marshalled by the Revs. J. R. Burgin and Mark Sutton. The procession was headed by the choristers, about thirty in number^ followed by the male members of the united choir and the clergy of the diocese. Then came the two senior Maori ministers, the Revs. Paa Wikiti (Northern Wai : roa), and Papapia Hone Tana (Maori Mission). 'Next followed the Warden of St. John's College (the Rev. P. T. Williams), the Cathedral Chapter, consisting of Archdeacons Willis (Waikato) and Cole (Tarauaki) and Canon Macmurray. After them came the bishops, headed by the bishopelect, wearing his cassock and rochet, and attended by Archdeacon Calder as chaplain; then followed Bishop Williams (ex-Bishop of Waiapu), Canon Nelson (chaptain), Bishop Averill (Waiapu), Rev. E. M. Cowie (chaplain), Bishop Mules (Nelson), Canon Haselden (chaplain), and the actingPrimate (Bishop Julius, of Christchurch), whose chaplain (the Rev. H. A. Hawkins) bore the primatial cross. The beautiful Communion service was conducted by the acting-Primate, assisted by the other bishops. Bishop Averill, who preached, took as his text verses 11 and 12, of chapter iv., of St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians (revised version): "And he gave some to be apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints unto the work of ministering unto the building, up of the body of Christ." The preacher said that the gifts ot ministry were given to men for the promotion of perfect peace ana concord and the removal of obstacles that tended to disunion. In addressing the bishop-elect the preacher said that he would find in the diocese a growing population, many social problems, a large Maori population requiring separate organisation, and frequent difficulties in travelling. The preacher also made appropriate reference to the records of Bishops Selwyn, Cbwie, and Neligan. After the singing of the hymn "Lord Enthroned in Heavenly Splendour," the bishop-elect was presented by the Bishop or Nelson and Bishop Williams to the acting-Primate, to whom the oath of obedience was taken, and the eight questions prescribed in the Ordinance were answered by the new bishop in a loud and clear voice. The bishop-elect at the prescribed place in the service put on the remainder of his episcopal habit. After the singing over him of the "Veni Creator Spiritus" ("Come Holy Ghost Our Souls Inspire") and the reciting of the special prayer for grace, the ceremony of the iaying on of hands was performed by the four bishops. Then followed the presentation of a Bible to the new bishop by the actingPrimate being assisted at Holy Com- . munion by the newly-consecrated bishop and the other bishops. The remainder of the service as appointed was then gone through, being terminated by the singing of the hymn "Lord of the Harvest."

Another very large congregation as-

sembled at the cathedral in the evening, when Bishop Crossley was formally enthroned. The Bishop, in the course of his sermon, referring to tho work of the diocese, said that its linkage with Melanesia could never; be deserted, "but in its own backblocks and Never Never lands surelyj some of the noblest toil of your sons is being done, while the Maori people are--ever ; our test of God."