THE NEW BISHOP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19510, 14 December 1926, Page 14

THE NEW BISHOP.

GRATEFUL FOR. WELCOME. SYMPATHY IN BEREAVEMENT. "HAD COME THERE TO WORK" [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] HAMILTON, Monday. For the first time the new Bishop of Waikato was able to-day to express publicly- his feelings upon taking up his work in New Zealand, and his thanks for the welcome that had been offered to him. The opportunity came in his charge to the special meeting of the Diocesan Synod. "The circumstances under which we meet to-day," said Bishop Cherrington, "make me conscience of the responsibility which rests upon me and not upon me ■ only, but also upon yourselves and the whole of the church people of this diocese. It is not for nothing that you have elected me and that I have been elected first Bishop of Waikato. All of you were strangers to mo and I was to you, and- the first intimation I had of there being a Diocese of Waikato at all was your cable asking me to come. "We must always be careful, even in the most solemn choice that we may make in any of our actions, in ascribing anything we do to the direct influence of Almighty God, but it does seem, if we may with reverence say so, that you have been guided by the Holy Spirit, and that means surely that there are great things in , store for us. Anyhow, I understand that that, is the view of the many in response to whose ardent prayers, pious hopes and earnest work this Diocese of Waikato has been founded and its first bishop elected and consecrated. * Amazing Kindness of People. "I want to thank you of the synod, and through you the church people whom you represent, with all 'the heartiness of which I am capable, for the warmth of the welcome you have given me. It is really; amazing, if you stop to think of it, how kind people are, and it only confirms us in the opinion that we ought to have—that there is a great deal more,; kindness, in the world really than the opposite. Anyhow, that has been my experience, for I have met with kindness wherever I have been, but let rue thank you for yours, "And the sympathy that you have expressed with me in my loss, and that so many people here who have never seen me have expressed in the most delicate way, is all of a piece with your kindness. It has been a blow, and more, because it was never dreamed of or expected for a moment. I know as yet very few details,' and up to the first week in November, at Panama, I received happycables, telling me of. improved health, and then—this.

"It has seemed hard that she, who was present when I was ordained deacon 30 years ago, ishould not have been allowed to have been greeted, even by letter or cable, by her husband on being called to\the highest office in the church on earth. And it has' been your loss as well as mine, because she has always tried to be a true friend to those among whom we have lived since our marriage 27 years ago, and I, am sure you would have loved her, as other people have. She had hoped to sail in January, but would not let me wait for her, as she thought I had kept the diocese waiting long- enough." • ■ " " ■ Necessity for Alertness.

The bishop referred to the part played by the Church of England in laying the foundations of the Realm of England, and so of. the Dominions -beyond the seas, "We represent an important extension of that church's -work," he continued. "In response to the prayers and hopes and work of those by whom, under God, this diocese has been founded, we as a diocese yesterday began our life. I am told that the diocese is likely to see a great increase in population in the near future. That means that one and all of us must keep our eyes open, our attention alert, to be ready to supply the sacraments and means of grace wherever our countrymen may settle, so that the church may carry out her work of shepherding the people of God, "It is a pity that the cathedral town is not' more in the middle of the diocese, but that is the case in many dioceses at Home and abroad, and in -these, days of transit ever increasing in rapidity and comfort, it need be but a small point, and I hope to be as familiar an object in the south and scattered part of the diocese as anywhere else," In referring to the Maori people, the bishop said he was glad that there were many of that race in the diocese. He had been interested in. the Maoris from boyhood. By sympathy and auction their elder brothers in the faith must help them to do their part in realising the kingdom of God. Question of Cathedral.

"It will be a matter of careful deliberation at an. early; date as to what arrangements we shall make for our cathedral," the bishop continued. "We have other dioceses in various parts of the Empire from which to draw ideas, and will be for us to translate those ideas -into action as shall be best for this diocese in the future and our own particular needs. "I hope everyone is relying on the fact that I have come here to work, and anything you can give me to do that will serve you in any way I shall gladly welcome.' 'Servant of "the servants of Christ' is what a bishop is or ought to be, and that is what in all ways I want to be. But be patient with me; remember I have no home critic, who is always so great a help, and we men sometimes have to go a long way round, both as regards dealing with actions and character, to find out what a woman, with sure and unerring instinct, can often put her finger upon in a moment. You kindly express the hope that I may long continue here I have no home tie's, now, alas, so that my time here simply depends upon how long God spares me. "In conclusion, leir me say that if we all put our whole heart and soul into our .work, endeavouring every day we live to understand one another well and to serve one another better, . we shall, with God's grace,, make our Church and Diocese of Waikato a worthy sister of those other, older dioceses that have done so much, and are doing so much, to build up the happy, healthy life of this fair land."

When the bishop concluded his ad dress the whole gathering rose and plauded him heartily.