UNBREAKABLE TIES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16993, 26 March 1926, Page 8

UNBREAKABLE TIES.

MOTHERLAND AND N.Z. HAS THE CHURCH LOST ITS GRIP? DR. w EST- WATSON’S ENT HR ON FOMENT. (Special to the Herald.) CHRISTCHURCH, ibis day. Speaking after his enthronement Dr. West-Watson, the new bishop of Christchurch, referred to the unbreakable between the Motherland and New Zealand. He though lof the undying fame won bv the New Zealanders 25 years ago in- South Africa and in more recent years: the wonderful appeal to the people of the Empire ol the wonderful men from this wonderful land. The church in New Zealand must never think that the church in England was forgetful of the debt it owed New Zealand, which was far away and yet. so near in the spirit. “One of the first questions .1 was as; - ed in New Zealand was whether tin. church', had lost its grip,” he said. “Grip mi what? On money, power, influence. or wires to pull? H- was jest its grip on those things which impoverished the church ; or perhaps the thought was of numbers. '1 lie only thing that matters is whet her Hie church has lost its grip of Christ, lost the joy of his presence at the Sacrament, lost the divine five which sent her forth conquering, and conquered. It isn t dying lor Christ that weakens the church, but living for the world. We are not Christians because we. calculate that the church is the winning power.” ' The Bishop alluded to the heathens of the world, the Moslems, Chinese and those In darkest Africa. “Has the church lost its grip?” he asked, and answered ; “Yes. Hit stands still in such a time of wonderful opportunity. It is a world call. We will bo disgraced for ever unless we make some response.” He did not know the needs'of the diocese, of <’hristcliuvch and he required the help of everyone. H was almost, a miracle what had been done here. “What a foundation to build on, ’ he declared with enthusiasm. “What a, betrayal il we leave tilings as we find them.

PUBLIC 1 WELCOME. (Per Press Association.)

Six thousand people attended the public welcome to the new Bishop of Christchurch last evening in King Edward Barracks. All denominations were represented, and there was marked enthusiasm. The Mayor, the Rev. Mr Aicher. spoke for the city and said he trusted that the stay of the Bishop and his family would be as long as that of his predecessors, and that each year would bring to them increased happiness and honor.