NEW VICAR INDUCTED

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1933, Page 8

NEW VICAR INDUCTED

rev. k. j. McFarland received. CEREMONY LED BY THE BISHOP. Making the declaration of adherence and taking the oath of obedience to the bishop of the diocese, the Rev. K. J. McFarland was last night inducted to the charge of the parish of the Holy Trinity, Stratford, by the Rt. Rev. C. A. Cherrington, Bishop of Waikato. There were also present Archdeacon G. H. Gavin, Archdeacon of Taranaki, and the Revs. H. S. Fussell (Waitara), W. S. C. Stephens (Fitzroy), R. Fordham Clark (New Plymouth), J. C. W. Mutter (Inglewood), H. Whitby James (Hawera) and J. Adams (Okato), and the bishop’s chaplain, the Rev. R. S. Fussell (Hamilton). The first lesson was read by the Rev. H. S. Fussell and the second by Archdeacon Gavin, the early part of the service being conducted by the Rev. Fordham Clark. After evening prayer had been read the new incumbent made his declaration and took the oath and the induction was proceeded with by Archdeacon Gavin who, accompanied by the churchwardens and bearing the mandate from the bishop, led the new vicar to the church door. Mr. McFarland then, tolled the bell to signify his taking possession and was given the k.eys by the people’s warden. The vicar was admonished of his duty by the bishop at the font, the prayer desk, the lectern and the altar and was commended to the help and assistance of the parishioners. In his address the bishop stressed that the Christian church should by now have reached a state at - which parish work could be conducted by the people in . the ideal Christian spirit without so much reliance on the work of the parish priest. Only recently in preaching a missionary sermon he had deplored the fact that missions depended so much on pounds, shillings and pence and that the failure of missions might be set down almost entirely to lack of money, commenced the bishop, taking as his text Acts 14: 23, “And when they had ordained them elders in every church . .” He suggested that by this time surely -parishes could be run by the people themselves on the lines of an ideal Christian community, with several families of sufficient worth, standing and culture rendering the ceremonies of the church. Thus would the way be open for the island to be changed into one large mission, and such people as their vicar and• himself to be left free for such work as ordinations and confirmations. People often thought that the priest worked only one day a week, but his experience had shown that Sunday was the priest’s easiest day of the week. He thought it was time this ideal state was reached, in which the parish could control 7 itself and all the funds diverted to the mission field or else to those parishes which through no fault of their own were finding the struggle hard. He did not think Jesus Christ had meant the clergy and laity to be so distinguished as they were. He hoped that some day, even if not in his time, they would reach.the ideal when everybody would live the regenerate life. That day, however, had not arrived, and they were receiving into their midst a new vicar to help them to reach their ideaL It had to be realised that they relied too much on their priest, and it was incumbent on all of them mutually to help one another’s advancement. It was the priest’s job to administer and plead his people’s cause, and • it was their work to help him in every possible way to do the sacred task to which he was called. The clergy did find. it difficult at times, but with the sympathy of the servants of the Lord in the place in which they worked to ennerve them they could accomplish wonders. A new brother had come among them, and if he had sympathy, encouragement and help he could also' accomplish wonders. SOCIAL WELCOME TO VICAR. Subsequent to the induction ceremony Mr. McFarland was welcomed by the parishioners at a social at the Parish Hall. The bishop welcomed Mr. McFarland first and was followed by Archdeacon Gavin, who said he had known Mr. McFarland as a student. The new vicar had had parish experience in England and was well fitted to take charge at Stratford. The Rev. W. S. C, Stephens (Fitzroy) said he had been specially commissioned by his parishioners to offer a welcome to Mr. McFarland, with whom he had exchanged parishes recently. Mr. McFarland had made it hard for him when he returned. The Rev. H. Whitby James extended a welcome on behalf of Hawera, and Mr. H. C. Johnson on behalf of the parishioners welcomed Mr. McFarland. He admitted that the previous two vicars had not stayed long, but Canon Beale had done great work and the new vicar would find them a very united parish. Mr. McFarland in reply said he was looking forward to the work at Stratford, into which, he was going to put his best. He hoped to have the full co-operation and indulgence of the parishioners; their work would then bear fruit. ELTHAM LADIES’ GOLF, DRAW FOR COMPETITIONS. The draw for the first round for Mrs. Casey’s trophy to be played on the, Eltham links on Tuesday next, in combination with the L.G.U. medal round, is as follows: Week-end players are to play this week-end: Mrs. Casey v. Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Wills v. Mrs. Lambie, Mrs. Morton v. Mrs. de Launay, Mrs. Quin v. Mrs. McGarry, Miss Townsend v. Mrs. Fisher, Miss Whiting v. Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Valintine v. Miss Fountaine, Miss- T. Gibson v. Mrs. McKay, Miss Riddle v. Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. Harrison v. Miss P. Valintine, Miss Harcourt v. Mrs. Saunders. Following are the week-end players: Miss ' Burrows v. Miss Ritter, Miss O’Hagan v. Miss Fisher, Miss Kelly v. Miss Carter, Miss Gibb v. Miss Welch, Miss Collins v. Miss Griffin, Miss Roberts v. Miss Fraser, Mrs. McPherson v. Mrs. Fountaine, Mrs. Chrystal v. Miss Hill, Miss Weir v. Miss Stewart, Mrs. Guthrie v. Miss Syme, Miss Linn v. Miss M. Gibson, Mrs. Clemow v» marker.