DIOCESE OF WAIAPU

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7028, 17 January 1910, Page 6

DIOCESE OF WAIAPU

, THE NEW BISHOP. INVESTITURE OF ARCHDEACON AVEIULL. SFECIAL TO THE "TIMES." NAPIER, Jan-aary 10. This was a "red letter" day in the annals of Il'awke's Bay Anglicanism, the occasion being the investiture and installation of Archdeacon Avorill as the new Bishop of the diocese of Waiapu. The diccese includes Poverty Bay, 'as well as Hawke's Bay, and many visitors, both clerical and lay, were present from rhe former district. All the Bishops of the Anglican Church in New Zealand were in. attendance, and the double ceremonial investiture at morning service and installation in the evening, wus most impressive, even from the spectacular point of view, while from the religious otandpoint the two services, with their full choral accompaniments, were solemn in the extreme. . , ' Tho immense seating accommodation of Napier's fine cathedral, although every available inch of space had been pressed into use, was taxed to tho uttermost, and many had to be content with crowded standing room only, and even then large numbers had to submit to the disappointment of failing to secure admission to tho sacred edifice at tho momejit when the morning service commenced, and similarly in the evening. A STRIKING SPECTACLE. The spectacle was one that for striking ecclesiastical magnificence and devout expectancy on the purt of tho huge congregation massed at both ceremonies must long remain in the memories of those fortunate enough to be present. At the consecration ceremony, the service opened with the processional hymn No. SUB, which was followed by Holy Commimion. The Bishop of Christchurch then preached a short, but very impressive sermon, in which tho relation existing between the Bishop and the clergy, and between both and their flocks, were dwelt upon in the light of Scripture and the canons and constitution of the Church. THE NEW BISHOP'S WORK.

Taking us text Luke, chapter XXII, verse 27, "I am among you as One that serveth," ho built up an eloquent discourse, in the course of which Bishop Julius said: 'T cannot stand hero to-day on an occasion which moves me to the very heart without saying this : Ho has held many offices, high offices, in the Church, and ho held them'not because, ho was worthy of them, but because he knows how to make of them opportunities of service,, and that is tho lOnly worth of office and honour in the Church in the call to the high office as Bishop of this diocese, and I know, from long knowledge of him,. that he will make of the office an opportunity of service, and to that end he accepted tho cali. His knees are bent before the Throne of Grace thttt he may be helped to forgot himself, and be the very lowliest servant of all in this diocese of Waiapu. Insofar as one may learn of the future from tho past, I believe he comes here patient and devout, to servo,all men, to -Berve the learned as well as the unlearned, the rich as well Us the poor, the Maoris in, their weakness and their distress, the white man in the distant bush, and to what in him lies, to serve always the Lord Jesus Christ." THE CONSECRATION.

At the conclusion of the sermon, the choir sang the- anthem "Call to Remembrance" (Vincent Novello)., and at its end the Bishop-elect was formally presented to the Primate, after -which the chancellor oread the official authorisation _ for the consecration. At its conclusion the customary declaration was made by the Bishop-elect. The litany fololiwed. Then was impressively sung hymn 209. Barely had its final strains died away than the Bishop rose in his place to answer the questions of the canonical examination. At its finish the Bishop was clotb.e4.in his episcopal vestments, a solemn voluntary being played by tho organist meanwhile, and this being concluded, a, chant was rendered by the choir. The formal consecration then, took place, and the striking ceremony was brought to a termination by the singing of the recessional hymn No. 515. EVENING SERVICE. In the evening the cathedral was, if possible, even, more crowded than in. the morning. Th© Bishop addressed th© assembled chapter in these words:—"l, Alfred Walter, by Divine Providence Bishop of Waiapu, request you to assign to me a seat in this cathedral church, and in support of my request I call upon the chancellor of the diocese to read the document testifying to my duo consecration." The chancellor having read the document aloud, it was formally handed over to tho registrar, and then the vicar, accompanied by the other members of the chapter, conducted the Bishop to his episcopal seat in the cathedral, and formally installed him therein, subsequently addressing lrim as follows:--"I, Erank Mayne, M.A., canon, on behalf of the chapter of this cathedral church of St. John the' Evangelist, do assign to you the chief seat in this cathedral in support of your consecration as Bishop of the diocese, and also as head of the chapter. May the Lord preserve thy going out and coming in. May the Lord bless and sustain thee in the work to which thou has been called and make thee a faithful shepherd over the flock committed to thy care, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen." Evensong followed, and the newly installed Bishop preached an eloquent sermon on the Christian life, its aims, struggles, and final triumph. A closing hymn and an organ voluntary completed an impressive ceremony, which, whether regarded from its merely spectacular aspect or from the deeply devout character of the two services, constituted for the great majority of those present an unique function, and for all a memorable experience. It is proposed on Tuesday nest, weather permitting, that the Bishop and Mrs Averill will hold a reception in the cathedral grounds, and on Monday afternoon the organist, Mr Harold Gregeon, will give a grand recital in the cathedral.