DIOCESE OF NELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 22 December 1938, Page 4

DIOCESE OF NELSON

ORDINATION AT ALL SAINTS TWO PRIESTS AND TWO DEACONS INTERESTING FEATURE An ordination service of more than usual interest took place at All Saints’ Church 3 r esterday morning. In spite of the fact of it being a week day in a very busy week, there was a large congregation, including some from a long distance.

Two deacons and two priests were ordained. The former were Messrs Herbert J. Flatt jun. and Herbert Rowe. The latter were the Revs. R. C. Nicholson and Osborne Brown. It was the largest ordination held by the present Bishop of Nelson, the Rt. Rev. W. G. Hilliard, in the diocese.

The Bishop himself preached the occasional sermon and taking as his text 1 Thessalonians vs. 12 and 13: "We beseech you brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves,” he stressed the im-

portance and value of the ministerial office.

The candidates were presented by the Archdeacon of Waimea. the Ven. T. J. Smith, and the Dean, the Very Rev. P. B. Haggitt. read the Epistle. Other clergy present were the Revs. Canon J. W. Bloyce (Brightwater), Canon I). Haultain (All Saints’), C. F. Saunders (Stoke), F. J. Daynes (Wakefield), P. Kirkham (Motueka). L. Collins (Collingwood), N. Chambers (The Sounds), and E. Newman (Cathedral). It was a very impressive moment when, at the ordination of the two priests, in addition to the Bishop, all the other priests present grouped round the candidates and took part in the laying on of hands. It was thus expressive of the teaching of the Anglican Church that ordination is by the whole Church. The Rev. H. J. Flatt read the Gospel.

The Rev. H. E. Rowe will remain at Suburban North. The Rev. H. J. Flatt will a little later go to assist the Rev. Neil Chambers in the Sounds Parochial District. The Rev. R. C. Nicholson will continue as Assistant Curate in All Saints’ Parish and the Rev. Osborne Brown is Vicar of Cobdcn and Runanga Parochial District near Grey mouth.

One unusual feature of the ordination was the fact that the two deacons, the Revs. H. J. Flatt and H. E. Row?, are sons of the two Church wardens at All Saints’ and they began their training for the ministry in that parish. At the conclusion of the service the visiting clergy and their wives and a few friends were entertained at lunch by the Rev. Canon and Mrs Haultain.

Three of the newly ordained clergy will take part in the Christmas services at All Saints’ next Sunday.