ANGLICAN CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10978, 17 August 1926, Page 2

ANGLICAN CHURCH.

CONFIRMATION SERVICES. AT ST. PETER’S AND ST. JOHN’S. The Right Rev, West-Watson, Bishop of Christchurch, commenced his first confirmation tour of South Canterbury on Sunday, when he visited the parishes of Geraldine, Winchester and Temuka. At the afternoon service at St. John’s, Winchester, the Bishop administered the rites of confirmation to -eight candidates, and at the evening service at St. Peter’S, Temuka, to thirty one candidates, all of whom had been prepared by the vicar, the Rev. G. Nelham Watson. St. Peter’s Church was beautifully decorated for the evening service by Miss F. Sanders, and was crowded, many standing in the vestry and porch. After the opening hymn, the Bishop proceeded with the confirmation ceremony, saying' the confirmation prayer at the solemn rite of “laying on of hands.” At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Lordship addressed the candidates and urged them to pursue a more Christ-like life and to “daily increase in the Holy Spirit more and more,” as it was only by communion and prayer they could hope to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to them. There were many who neglected to attend Holy Communion because they felt they were not good enough, but he -urged them to attend Communion and consecrate themselves to the service of Christ and of each other.

During the evening service which followed, His Lordship performed the ceremony of dedicating the new choir stalls which have lately been installed at the Church.

The choir, under Mr JB. Hughes, rendered the anthem, “With the Voice of Singing,” Miss D. Comer presiding at the organ.

In a short address, the Rt. Rev. Watson said he could not pay a first visit to St. Peter’s Church and not be impressed by its beauty and orderliness, and by the care that had been bestowed in establishing the Church. The beauty of the Church was such that he would be interested to sec the completion of the building, la the course of his sermon, His Lordship appealed to the congregation to add their reverent prayers that the candidates who had come up for confirmation that evening would grow up strong men and women, in the faith of Jesus Christ. AT ST. MARY’S, GERALDINE. The Right Rev. West-Watson, Bishop of Christchurch, held a confirmation service at St. Mary’s Church, Geraldine, on Sunday. There was a very large congregation present, The vicar, the Rev. H. Purcha.s. had prepared twenty-six candidates for confirmation, twentyfour girls and eight boys, gathered from all parts of the large parish. The Bishop gave an admirable address on “the laying on of bands,” which he said had continued from the time of the Apostles down to the present day. He said in effect that it might be asked why the act. of laying on of hands was necessary, for the power of God could not be limited, but it was well to have a corporate communion by a body which could help and give support, and that body they called the Church.

After the rite had been administered, the Bishop, gave a very helpful address to the candidates. A shortened form of the morning service was used, and a number of hymns were sung. The service was a decidedly impressive one.