INDUCTION OF MINISTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1929, Page 9

INDUCTION OF MINISTER.

OKATO ANGLICAN PARISH. ’

In the presence of a large congregation, the Rt. Rev. C. A. Cherrington, Bishop of Waikato, last night instituted the Rev. James Adams in the charge of St. Paul’s Church in the parochial district of Okato. The service followed the usual order. The Rev. J. N. Thompson (Inglewood) acted as chaplain, while Canon G. H. Gavin (Waitara) read the lessons and, at the' request of the Bishop, inducted the vicar into the charge. Mr. E. B. Corbett, people’s warden, represented the congregation in the ceremony, and Mrs. Fox presided at the organ. It was surprising, said the Bishop in his sermon, that generation after, generation men dared to accept office as ministers of God, allowing themselves to be se ( t apart in a special way for special work. Why was it that thesO men took up this work? There was one answer only. They could not take it up in the proper spirit unless they felt they were really called by God. It did not matter how learned or good a man was, he must feel that he had the vocation. Unless he had he would be utterly useless and utterly miserable - "

If the clergy always felt they had a special call to the work they would bo very much happier. The fact that the minister liked his work and that It provided him with a living might bo very good reasons, but they were not sufficient without a sense of vocation. He could never understand how any person could succeed in a full measure as a doctor or nurse, or anything els®, unless it was felt he or she had been called to that work by God. The world would be much better if. husbands and mothers had felt they had been special* ly called in this way, too. He was certain that if they all approached life in that spirit there would be a very much happier spirit abroad. As a Christian people they should always remember-, that Christ was their Master and that they were His servants, the servants of the King of- Kings—they could have no higher ideal than that. The Bishop proceeded to describe in, detail the special qualities needed in a minister. He must have boundless enthusiasm and optimism and must aim always at the highest standard.’ He must be an example to his congregation and must keep before them the saeredness of the Sacraments. One of the points made at the recent synod by a layman, who was supported by others, was the supreme importance placed upon pastoral visitations, continued the Bishop. He had never been so pleased as he was to hear that opinion expressed. He regarded it a as special invitation to all the clergy of the diocese to be 'diligent in this respect. It was, as he had always preached and' taught, the beginning and the end of pastoral work, and ministers should realise the opportunities that . were theirs if they carried out their duty' of visiting their people. He appealed' to the church people to help their min-; ister by looking for his virtues than his faults. If they carried that out generally New -Zealand would be , a very much happier place. He did not mind how much criticism there was, as long as the critics came direct and with the desire to help rather than to/ hinder. That was the sort of criticism/ looked for and welcomed. -- ■ /

A collection devoted to the expenses of. the students being trained for the ministry at Bishopscourt amounted to over £3. Subsequently the new vicar was welcomed by his .parishioners at a social'and dance in the Hempton Hall, asso-y ciated with him being Mr. Sinclair, a" student for the ministry living at the vicarage, andaMiss Walton. - Speeches were made by Mr. Corbett, Mr. J. S. Fox (in the absence through illness of Mr. 11. T. Ballinger, vicar’s "warden), and the Bishop. The Rev. James Adams briefly replied. Items were given by Mesdames T. Larkin and C. Eustace, Miss D. Fox and Mr. W. E. Willis (songs), Miss Pearson (pianoforte solo) and Mrs. Minchin (character sketches). Mr. D. Fox was master of ceremonies for the dances, tire music for which was provided by Mr. A. E. R. Pearson. Supper was in charge of the ladies 1 - guild.