CONFIRMATION SERVICE.

Timaru Herald, Volume L, Issue 4742, 13 January 1890, Page 3

CONFIRMATION SERVICE.

The Bishop of Christchurch held a con* firmation service at St. Mary's Ohurch, Timaru, yesterday afternoon. There was not a large congregation present. The candidates for confirmation were 31 in number — 6 males and 23 females. Tbe service was most impressively conducted by his lordship, bis address being lengthy, interesting, and powerfully delivered. After the confirmation the Rev. Mr Winter, the churchwardens, the vestrymen, and a few ladies assembled in the vestry where the. Rev. Mr Winter said that he had been asked to present tbe following address expressing their regret at loßing hia lordship as their bishop. The text of the addresß waa as follows :—" To the Most Reverend Father in God, Henry John Chilty, D.D., Lord Bishop of Christchurch. We, the undersigned, on behalf of tho congregation of Bt. Mary's Church, Timaru, beg your lordship to* accept our heartfelt expreasions of regret that this is the last occasion on wbich we in this pariah will be permitted to welcome your lordship as our bishop. Wo acknowledge with gratitude tbo constant and watchfull oversight wbich your lordship haa ever exercised over the Church both as bishop of this diocese and as Primate of the Churoh in New Zealand, and tbe unremitting labours whioh have aided to materially in the extension of the Churoh in this colony. We trust that your lordship may long be epared to witness the continuance of the work so ably begun and carried on; and that the great Head of tho Church may grant to your lordship every blessing ic tho prayer of your lordship's faithful servants." The address was signed by the incumbent (the • Bav. Mr Winter), the churchwardens, and the vestrymen. The' address, was got up in the form of a book, plain bound in maroon morocco, the padded covers having, inside, a gilt margin surrounding photographs of St. Mary's Church, on the first cover the exterior, on tbo back tbe interior ot the ohuroh being shown, the photographs being copies of the excellent ones taken by Mr Ferrier for tho Melbourne Exhibition. The binding was capitally dore at Mr Button's. The address was beautifully engrossed and illuminated on four pages by Mr -Georgo Wade, whoße pen and brush are frequently in requeßt for thia sort of work. ' His Lordship, who appeared to be greatly fatigued with the afternoon's duties, made a very brief reply. He thanked .thorn sincerely for their beautiful address. He had been 34 years labouring for the diocese, and had he not voluntarily rosigned the see of Christohurch and tbe Primaoy of New Zealand, his increasing infirmities would very soon have compelled him to do ao. He thanked the incumbent, the cburohwardons,. and all the ohurch.. officers, the choir, snd tbe. teachers, for the work they had done, and was thankful for their co-operation and was glad to aee that his sorvicea had boen appreciated.

This being the last oocaeion on wliich Bishop Harper will visit the dioceio in his official capacity, be warmly Bhook hands 'pith all present as tbey left the veitry, -