CONFIRMATION.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17763, 10 December 1929, Page 4

CONFIRMATION.

AT ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH.

FIFTY CANDIDATES PRESENTED

AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE.

St. George's Church last evening was well filled to witness the confirmation of fifty young people by His Grace the Archbishop of New Zealand.

The candidates were presented by the Rev. R. B. Davison, Vicar of Thames. The Rev. ( Leefe acted as the Archbishop's chaplain.

Prior tc th e laying on of hands, the Archbishop addressed the candidates, stressing the importance of this ceremony in their lives and its significance to every member of the Church. His Grace prefaced his remarks by a feeling reference to the death that afternoon of Bishop Cleary, whom, he said, he had found a courteous and able man, who lived unselfishly. At the request the congregation stood in silence a fewminutes in honour of Bishop bleary. In a forceful sermon after the confirmation ceremony, the Archbishop took as his text, "Give us this day our daily bread." and showed how, in this prayer food for the mind w'as desired as well as food for the, body. Without thought human beings became just animals. His Grace stressed the need to study the Bible and carefully learn from its precepts; and, in uttering the prayer, to bear in mind that spiritual food was as essential as earthly food. The Archbishop's sermon was most attentively listened to, and it greatly impressed all who heard it. A Social Hour.

Members of the congregation were Invited to meet His Grage at the Parish Hall after, the ceremony, and large numbers took advantage of, this. Mr C. H. Poulgrain, People's Warden, in a well-ordered speech, welcomed the Archbishop to Thames. He said his visits were always looked forward to and he had the loyalty and love "of all Thames Anglicans. Particularly did he wish to thank him for his choice of a vicar. They had found Mr and Mrs Davison all that could be wished for, jand everyone was very pleased at the appointment.

The Vicar also welcomed His Grace to Thames. No words could express his and Mrs Davison's gratitude for the kindly way in which the Archbishop and ' Mrs Ave rill" had made them welcome in a strange land. They could not possibly have done more than they had to make them feel at home.

The Archbishop replied briefly. He had a very soft sppt ;in his heart for Thames, and always enjoyed visiting the town. Particularly was he pleased to know Mr and Mrs Davison suited them. He had known of Mr Davison's work for some time, and for that reason he had had no hesitation in making the appointment. Hewas filling the position most admirably. (Applause). / Supper was handed round by the! Women's Guild, and several peoplef renewed acquaintance with the Arch-, bishop. Items were given by the following! Songs, Mrs Willis; recitations, Mrs; Paynter; cornet solo, Mr A. Williams; ' songs (humorous), Mr H. Beech. .This afternoon the ceremony of dedicating the new altar at Kirikiri took place.