ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 305, 22 November 1934, Page 11

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

CONFIRMATION SERVICE. ADDRESS BY BISHOP OF WELLINGTON. “We must put thought and will into our actions,” said the Bishop of Wellington, lit. Rev. Dr. Sprott, in preaching from the Book of Proverbs at the special confirmation service held in All Saints’ Church last evening. His Lordship stressed, in his address to the 75 candidates who came forward, the fact that they had reached an important phase in their lives—when they must choose between wisdom and folly and not allow themselves to drift on the tide of circumstances.

“You know what confirmation is, and what is your part in the service,” added Dr. Sprott.” I am thinking of your life which is to follow. Some are reaching, and many probably have reached the most important stage in any human life, however old you may grow to be. When we are little children our lives are conducted and managed for us by our parents and school, but the time comes when we go Out into the world, and take control of our own lives. We reach the point when we have to choose what kind of life to live, and our choice has tremendous subsequent effect. I am not speaking of the choice of occupation, important as it is. I am not speaking of merely earning a living, but .of living itself. What is going to be your course of life and conduct?” It seemed somewhat vague to talk of choosing without deciding first, said Dr. Sprott, but it was‘one of the greatest curses of humanity that it did not choose, but drifted —like a log upon a river, carelessly and without thought. Circumstances were unfortunately permitted to make the choice—temptation, opportunity and influence had their way. Want of thought rather than want of heart might do more harm to themselves and others. Choice could be between right and wrong, between good and evil, between pleasing God and pleasing oneself. Though not the most read Book of the Bible, the Book of Proverbs was very interesting, as it was specifically written as a manual -of instruction to the young in the conduct of life. The importance of choosing was deeply stressed _ and it was stated that only one choice was open —that between wisdom and folly. Wisdom meant the whole body of the true laws of life and conduct, as given by God, and they embodied the Ten Commandments. Folly was the opposite. Though he might be quite intelligent, tlie man who was indifferent to, ignored or defied the laws of life and conduct was described in the Book of Proverbs as a fool. Wisdom and folly were personified in the Book of Proverbs as two women who went out, sought the highest places in the city and each called for followers. Both extended the same invitation so far as words were concerned, but it was addressed to the different parts of the human nature. Folly addressed the lower part with the alluring invitation of the immediate gratification of all the desires of the heart. Wisdom addressed the higher faculties of reason and conscience, pointing out the penalty to be paid in the end by dwelling in the house of folly. She assured them that hardships and difficulties would probably be encountered in a hard climb, but lasting happiness waited at the end. But the invitation was not extended to all. It was addressed to the “simple,” or the open. That meant those whose characters were not _ yet fixed, whose habits were not yet rigid, who were open to persuasion. The term “simple” meant those inexperienced in the way of life —the young —and not that they were lacking in intelligence. The choice lay in accepting the great fundamental laws of life for guidance, and not ignoring them.

AVhat difference did the Christian faith make to that teaching written for the Jewish people? His Lordship asked. Christ camo to make known the true character of the Creator, and to teach all to speak and think of God Under one name only—the Father. Behind all humanity there lived and moved a heart of holy love. When that fact flashed upon them, the' whole colour of life changed. Christ had shown what the true life of the children of God ought to be. It was not the voice of a personified wisdom that called ; it was the voice of Jesus, crying not only to the young, but to all. It came in many ways, with the teaching of the Church founded for the express purpose, in the Bible, in the confirmation service, in events and happenings, in the dictates of conscience, and in the holy spirit of their own hearts.

His Lordship was assisted in the confirmation service by Canon G Y. Woodward and Rev. F. 0. Ball. There was a large congregation.