RETURN OF THE BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 84, 20 August 1868, Page 2

RETURN OF THE BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH.

A special thanksgiving aervloo was hold tlits mortiing at Holy Trinity Church, fjyttul. ton, to return thinks for the safe return of tho Bishop of Chrlstchurch to New ZealimiJ The Dorm of Chrlatohureh, Ctuvm Wilson, tho Horn. J. O'Hrion llonre, nugslniw, Cottcrill, Ilarrlti, nml Willock wore present, and took part In tho service. Tho prayers ami paahm wcro rend l>y the Itov. P. Knowles, Incumbent, tho psmlms chosen wcro l'/2, 133 and 1.14 Choral service wiw performed by the choir, Mr J, A, WiKldiiifiton presiding i\t the orinn. Tho Antliom eho*on was CUrko Whit' flold'fl •♦ I will lift ininu eyes to the mountains." • At tho conclusion of tho sorvico Pr Donald advanced to liln Lordship and rend [ the following address ; — '•Kov. Father in G »d : Wo, the incumbent, churchwardens, vestrymen, and parishioners of fiyltoltonjdcairo to offer our hearty congratulations on your Bafo return to your diocese Wo deslro to express a hope thai tho visit of yourself and your brother Bishops of tho Church in the colours and dependencies of Grout Hrituin and other lands opoiiking our language, nnd uniteil by n common frttth, m*y he fruitful of miioh ud« vatitige, present aud future, to the Church ot Christ | among present advantage*, that wv v In tho colonies may feel that we arc members of tho anno Church na our fathom and kin*, men at home and not merely of a church of common creed, and form, from which we miiy be at any moment be depurated, and as futurogood, wo trust that the readiness with which the Father* of tho AngHoanChurehfrom all part* of tho earth attended tho summon*, and accepted the invitation of hi* Grace the Archblfthop of Cantcibury, may be taken w an ovidonce of tho possibility of united action by tho whole of our brunch of tint Church Catholic, should danger menuce from without, or should she bo threatened with the greater part of foea from within. Praying that Almighty God may long preserve you in tho spiritual care and Government of your illoccso," In reply, his IVmlshlp said : !tfy t 'hriatinn friends and brethren, I wish to si\y a few words to you, and to thmtk you for this wolcomo. First, I must ihtxuk tho Incumbent nnd Churchwardens of thlspur'mh for inviting mo to this service. It is but right and proper [ ahould luvo ncccptwd tho invitation for it wa« horo I hst spoke to you. boforo I went to England, There is much rciisoa on my part for thankfulness \ not only havo I nnd my family had tho udvuntiKCfl of tcolng friends at home, but I havo received additional strength i>» being present at that great meeting id Lambeth, God him preserved us during our voyage. I thank you for your kind addre.<M, and I trust the object for which my visit to England wan mado will bo productive of good. It was mdcud n great meeting, , Rltdiopa from all countries, civilized and uncivilized, Tho lioiulg of tho Church to whom wo all looked up wcro thoro, and apoko in Common Council, I feel certain that that meeting will tend to bind tho churches more firmly to tho Mother Church at homo. I will not cnlargo upon tho licuefltA that would bo derived from such n bond of union, but agnin thank you nil for your kind welcome. Hia Lorlihlp concluded by imprcnslvoly pronouncing tho bonedictinn. Tho Hilltop reached Chrlstuhurcti by the 1..'!0 p.m. train, from Lyttelton, At Bishop's Court, arrangements had been mado for a children's treat, but the inclemency of the wuathcr provontcd their being carried out, Tho Day and tiunday School scholar*), and tho children of tho Orphan Asylum, a«scmblcd on ti>o lawn some time before his LmHiip'H arrival. They greoted him with loud cheer*, and presented him with tho following addrcst of welcome ;— •'To tho Hight Kov. Father in God, Henry John Chit ty Harper, Uishop of ChrUtchurch. " We, thoaoholaraof tho Cliurchof England Day and Sunday schools of Christchurch, with tho children of the Orphan AHylum, arc glad to welcome your Lord ah Ip to ChrlH church after your ulxionee of more tit vn iv year. Wo thank our lleavonly Father through our Lord Jesus Oirl.nr, thnt Ho boa carried you safely through the dangers of tho voyage to Knftland nnd back urivlii with Mra and Mm Harper, nnd that Ho Ina preserved you all In health to this day ; and wi> pray Uod that Ho may spare you many yearn, and givt> you graco and ntrength to feed tho flock of God which In amongst v«, and to watch over It ( and when the Chief Shepherd ahnll appear, we humbly pray that y«»u may receive an everlasting crown of glory." The address, (which wna beautifully engrossed by Mr M'Oiinlcll) wan nlgncd by, and on behalf of ! the various, achoola by the head b y and girl of each, 'yilU'Lordiihip arrived at his residence in one of Cobb nnd Co.'i carrintics shortly nftcr two o'clock. Ho was iiccompunicu by Mrs and Mtaa Harper and tho Very Hoy, tho Dean [Tito children wero urrungod along the pathway leading through tlio lawn, and notwith* standing the heavy downpour of rain, they looked very 'contented, and cheered very lustily when tho Bishop BteppcJ from his carriage. < Ho took up a position under the triumphal arch, which had been erected by Messrs Ht Qucntin and Crcstwell, and thoro received the address given above. It was read out very distinctly by Muster Thomna Smltli, of St Mlcbael'H School, IKb Lordahlp made a nhort reply, in the course of which he (xprexsed hia happiness at receiving so enthusiastic a wolconio from tho children of his diocese, and finished by giving lila blessing to all around him. Three cheers were then

given, and his Lordship nnd Mrs and Miss Harper proceeded to their lesldence. The children marched after, and gave three cheers moro in front of tho house. They wcro then taken to St.* Michael's school-room, in which a largo flro wa3 lighted and refreshmentt s«rved out. Everything was donetomako them as happy as poisibli?, under .such unforeseen circumstances. >*>o heavy a dawnpour of rain has not fallen in Christdmrch for a long time, and the proceedings wre far from being so animated as they would undoubtedly have been had thera Ihhsu f*ir weather. .