BISHOP’S ADDRESS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1934, Page 11

BISHOP’S ADDRESS

OKATO CONFIRMATION SERVICES. CO-OPERATION WITH GOD’S NEED. His Lordship, Bishop Cherrington, conducted confirmation services at St. Paul’s, Okato. St. Mark’s, Puniho-Warea, and St. Peter’s, Rahotu, on Sunday, when 59 candidates were presented by Canon C. E. Newbould, vicar of the Okato parish. There were large congregations at each of the services. Addressing the candidates prior to the laying on of hands, His Lordship pointed" out that the Sacrament of confirmation was a further step in the direction of whole-hearted co-operation with God. The futility of the individual to steer life’s boat alone was pointed out, the present world chaos being directly attributed to the selfishness, greed and envy of many who. should be leaders. The position in England to-day with its 2,000,000 unemployed, was a dire catastrophe, and this position had endured for 15 years. Such a national’ calamity had only been brought about by the neglect of God’s tracings—failure to co-operate with Him.

To neglect the opportunity to co-oper-ateiwould surely bring retribution, and if was only by training the individual character that this could be avoided. To each had been given the power of choice, there being no • virtue in right unless there had been the opportunity to 4° ill. Co-operation was only applied commonsense, mankind’s co-operation with nature exemplifying this. God provided the elements hut man had to apply them. The use of electricity was a good example of this fact. Jn the wonders of modern surgery the inspiring power of God’s help received most recognition. The world

praised the scientist and artisan, but without the co-operation of God their efforts would be futile.

The danger of contact with what was wrong was pointed out by His Lordship. It was not sufficient to refrain from wrong, however, but each should try to do what was right—eliminate wrong and practice virtue. Following the sacrament of confirmation, Bishop Cherrmgton asked those present to remember that all sacraments—baptism, confirmation and communion—were all means to an end; they were steps nearer the Lord. They should never be discouraged by the seemingly small number of additions to the Lord’s people. There was on contemplation a tremendous body of witnesses of the faith, both on the earth and in Paradise, whose prayers would provide an elevating influence in their future lives. Co-operation was the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ. The Redemption at the Cross was the commencement, and it must necessarily continue until the world was brought to God's feet Complete redemption was the work of each individual, and not the duty only of the clergy. The deep effect of example was stressed by His Lordship in conclusion. “Live the life,” he said, “act the right, speak out at the wrong, stand on your own feet and be strong. We should be pillars for others to lean on, pillars of truth, and if each and all will do this, the Church and the world being near te God, will soon be accomplished.