NEW BISHOP OF WAIAPU

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17181, 11 February 1930, Page 12

NEW BISHOP OF WAIAPU

IMPRESSIVE SERVICES CONSECRATION & INSTALLATION With all the customary ceremonial simple, yet gaining in impressiveness from that simplicity—the Yen. Archdeacon Herbert William Williams was consecrated and later installed into the office of Bishop of Waiapu at SI. John’s Cathedral, Napier, on Sunday, The investment, of such holy rights upon a man who is to be their earthly leader seemed to stir up tho innermost; spiritual feelings of the large congregations tit both morning and evening services and the tenderness and devout ness which marked every detail of the ceremonial could not but bo taken for faith, trust and eonlidenee in the man about whom the service revolved. Sharp at the appointed hour of 10 o’clock as the striking of the town clock died away the tolling of the cathedral bell ceased, and the procession, headed by the crucifer, made its way down the nave to the chancel. The members of the choir wore followed by the Diocesan Secretary, Mr. K. J’ilson, and the Church Advocate, Mr. IT. Holdernoss, both of them in black and the latter wearing his wig of office. Then came the clergy, the canons and the archdeacons; then the Bishop Elect, all of them in their white robes and religious mien. Following these were the bishops of the province in their scarlet gowns attended by their respective chaplains. The bishops were the Bishop of Christchurch (Dr. Campbell West-Watson), the Bishop of Wellington (Dr. T. H. Sprott), the retiring Bishop of Waiapu (Dr. W. W. Sedgwick), the Bishop of Waikato (llu' Right Rev. O. A. Cherrington), the Bishop of Aotoaroa (the Right Rev. F. A. Bennett); then the preacher, the Bishop of: Dunedin (Dr. J. Richards). Preceded by the verger was the Dean of Waiapu (the Very Rev. J. B. Brocklchurst), and last of all was His Grace the Archbishop of New Zealand (Dr. A. W. Avcrill). In all, without taking into account the members of the choir, there were over 40 in the procession. When the chancel was reached the bishops took their places in the sanctuary while flie remainder of the procession took up their seats on either side of the chancel and in the front of the nave. At the conclusion of the processional hymn the Archbishop commenced the celebration ol' the Holy Communion down lo and including the Nicenc Creed, the Epistle being read by the retiring bishop and tho Gospel by the Bishop of Christchurch 1 . The Bishop of Dunedin then proceeded to the pulpit where lie delivered a striking sermon, every word of which was listened to with absorbing interest. PRESENTATION OF BISHOP ELECT ft was -at this stage that the service reached its crescendo of importance, for it was then that the Bishop Elect entered into the proceedings in a more personal way. This was in his presentation. . After the Authority for Consecration had been read by the Church Advocate and handed to the Diocesan Secretary, the Bishop Elect was presented to tlie Archbishop, who was seated in the centre mf the sanctuary steps, by the Bishops of Wellington and Christchurch, the remainder of llii! bishops being grouped on either side of His Grace. ’The Bishop Elect having made his declaration, the Litany was lead by the Bishop of Waikato. The hymn “Come, Gracious Spirit,” was the next sung and then the examination of the Bishop Elect took place. This was conducted by His Grace, and after it was completed the Bishop Elect retired for a moment, returning in his robes. In a kneeling position the congregation then sang “ Yeni Creator.” At; its conclusion the Archbishop offered a prayer and then came the most impressive portion of the ceremony—the laying on of hands. Kneeling on the steps in the centre of the sanctuary and facing His Grace, the Bishop Elect had grouped about him the six bishops. i’lacing their hands on the head of the bishop they stood thus while the Archbishop prayed. After the presentation of a Bible and a pastoral staff Herbert I William Williams rose Bishop of Waiapu and resumed his place in the chancel. After the singing of the hymn, “0 Lord of Heaven,” a prayer was offered by the Archbishop, after which tho remainder of the Communion service brought to a conclusion a ceremony which will leave in the memory of those who took part in it a lasting impression. INSTALLATION SERVICE Tho installation service in the evening was a comparatively simple one in comparison with the consecration service in the morning. The procession was the same us that of the morning, except that the Bishop of Waiapu, preceded by his chaplain, followed the Bishops of the Province. On reaching the Chancel steps the Canons mill other clergy moved to either side and allowed the Bishop to pass through to their seats. The Canons, Chinch Advocate, and Diocesan Secretary ascended the Chancel steps, the Bishop of Waiapu, with his chaplain, standing below. At the conclusion of the processional hymn tho Bishop addressed the Chapter as follows: — “1, Herbert William Williams, by Divine Providence Bishop of Waiapu, request you to assign to me a seat in this Cathedral Church and in support of my request 1 call upon the Church Advocate in the absence of the Chancellor of th(> Diocese to read the document testifying to my due consecration.

The Church Advocate, Mr. H. HolilerncHM, then read the document and handed it to the Diocesan Secretary, following which the Dean, accompanied by the other members of tho Chapter, conducted the Bishop to the Episcopal seat, and after duly installing him, said: — “1 Joseph Brondlmrst Brockh'lnirst, Dean, on behalf of Iho Chapter of this Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist, do assign to you the chief scat in this cathedral, in virtue of your consecration as Bishop of the diocese and also head of the Chapter. “May the Lord bless and suslttin thee in the work to which thou host been called ami make thee a faithful shepherd over the llock committed to thy care for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.’ ’

The ■members of the Chapter, the Church Advocate and the Diocesan Secretary then returned to their places and Evensong commenced. The Bishop was the preacher, whilst the choir sang the anthem “Grant to us Lord we beseech Then.” “Take hood therefore unto yourselves to all the flock, over which the Holy Gliosf hath' mtfde \'du overseers” was the text which the Bishop of Dunpilin, Dr. J. Richards, basod his sor-

mon upon when he preached at the service in connection with the consecration of (be bishop. “Behold a virgin shall . conceive, end bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:1 -t was the I ext upon which the Bishop of Waiapu based his sermon.—ll.B. Herald.