BISHOPRIC OF DUNEDIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3365, 18 November 1872, Page 2

BISHOPRIC OF DUNEDIN.

TUANKStUVINO SK.HVICE.S, AT ST. rAUt's.

Yesterday, special services were held in St. Paul'u Church, to commemorate the return of tho B ishopof Dunedin to his diocese, and the arrival of the olorgymen who accompanied him. At the 11 o'clock service the church presented a crowded appearance, every available seat being occupied. The communion table was decorated with lillies, and other choice flowers, and abov& it was worked in coloured letters the text, "He bringeth them to the haven where they would be." Round the reading deskß and pulpit wore entwined evergreens. Prayers were read by tho Rev. E. G. Edwards, the lessons by the Rev. T. Smith, and the sermon was preachedL by the Right Reverend Dr Nevill. The musical portion of the service consistedl of processional psalm " I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord," Sir F. Onsley (sung as the Bishop and Clergy entered the porch) ; tho an them " Hovr lovely are the MesHengers," from Mendelsohn's "St. Paul;" besides the usual canticles, hymns, ami the psalms of the day. During the offertory Mr Towsey played " Larghetto," lierthwtn, Symphony in D, and at tho conclusion an Extempore.

The Bishop took his text from lstCorintluai'iß, iii. chap., 11 verse, " For other foundation can no man lay than that i» laid, whieli is Jesus Christ." In the course of hie sermon he said he had no doubt the feelings of those present were of two kinds. First, a feeling of thankfulness to God that He had answered the prayers offered up that He might grant to. their Bishop a safe return, and a happ^f lind prosperous voj'nge to those who ac-* cotnpanicd him ; and, in the second plac?, a feeling that tltis day should not only be one of thanksgiving for past mercies r^nd blessings, but one also of supplication* for future help and guidance. AA hen hc.sonsidered the position of that portion of the Church over which he had been jaaad© overseer, he could not but feel tha^ there was great necessity for energy, a»d also for patience, The text was cliosej* not so much for its' doctrinal teaching,, but because it should be the principle a«d guide of our lives, and on this $unndation_ their future labours should b% conducted for the in-gathering of iimaartal souls, and for the glorifying of Hi* name. Ifc should be tlie guiding principle not only of tho bishop and iniuistti^?," but of each believer and of each fellow-, worker. Allud-r ing to the divisions whicfe ox la ted in th,v» I early Corinthian Churchy spoken of int^o i chapter from which ths text waa tak?9» ho remarked that Christian unity waa de&r to each believer ; asvu while ho mourned for the divisions wiiidh existed and had caused so much ruin in the Church, he S believed that study of these divisions would ultimate^ bring back, no*. only * union of souk after death, but ft TGftl and manifest uniafti of the Church, of God on the earth. While looking v^th hope to the future, they must not forgot tho praise* and honuuv due to the 1 .huurera of the pant, tho uvidenccfi of whose work existed in their bemg met together that day. H$ had beou greeted with »v many express sioua o£ pleasure at his return, that th» fooling was manifest that they did rejnice that lie was again amongst them. They must not, howevor, look for too much from him, but remember the frailty of all earthly things, bear with him if they were afterwards disappointed in their hopes, and pray that grace inighfc be given him, so that the foundation might: be laid secure in it* length »nd breadth. They nm«t not fp ftwyr

aatisfied with the feeling that now the Church waa in proper order, and under able superintendence, there was no more for them to do, but they must labour ■with him tut fellow-workers, exercising charity. The work must not be delayed by a too clow inspection of the works of others, finding here a failing, there a flaw, but they must labour together, working with their own hands. The Church must bo built, not upon human foundations, human calumnies, not upon sands, that when visited by the blasts, torrents, and storms oi adversity, it might be found built upon that rock, who himself declared, "Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation." The afternoon service was especially for children, and an address was addressed to them by the Kcv. T. Smith. In the evening there was a choral service to Tallis's music, the processional hymn at the opening being No. 385, Hymns Ancient and Modern. The organ pieces were :•—Offertory ; selections from Handel's Water tmmic; concluding— "Jnsanae c* vanae curae," Motett--Haydn. The Anthem wan—"The Lord preservetii the souls of his Saints." The sermon was preached by the Rev. T. G. Penny, from 1 Cor., xiv. chap., 2(s_ver. —" Let all Ihir.grf be done to edifying." The discourse, which was of considerable length, dwelt chiefly upon Apostolic work and Church extension. The offertories at the lvhrle of the services vrnre in aid of Ht. Paul's Sunday School.