THE PRIMATE'S BIRTHDAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3356, 10 January 1879, Page 3

THE PRIMATE'S BIRTHDAY.

CONGRATULATORY MEETING AT THE TEOVIN-

CIAI. COUNCIL CnAMBEB,

Lasi; night a public meeting was held in the Provincial Council Chamber to celebrate the seventy-fifth birthday of his Lordship the Primate of New Zealand. The hall was more than half full.

The Hon. J. B. Gresson occupied the chair, having on his right liand the Right Rev Dt Harper, Bishop of Chriatchurch. The Chairman, who on rising was loudly applauded, said it gave him great pleasure to take the chair at a meeting assembled for the purpose of congratulating hia Lordship the Primate of New Zealand on his having attained his seventy-fifth birthday. As he (the Chairman) had had the pleasure of being one of those who met his Lordship on his arrival, here nearly twenty-five yeara ago, and had enjoyed the privilege of an uninterrupted friendship with him ever since, scarcely anything could have given him greater pleasure than to be asked to take the chair that night. In these timeß much was said of the dignity of honest labour, and nowhere was this more naturally said than in a country like New Zealand. He would ask them whose labour was more honest, more diligent, and more valuable than the labourof hiaLordahip^ whose excellent constitution and «aey temper had

enabled Him to get through? an amouritTbf work which others similarly situated could hardly have done'. His Lordship had had the happiness of seeing the fruits of his labour in the promotion of liberal education, of temperance, of charity, and of every good work. Though a vast deal of work was still to be done for those .members of the Church who were living in a state little better than heathendom, still much had been done to encourage the friends of religion. He would leave this matter to the speakers who would follow him. One matter more he would refer to. When the Bishop was going to the last Lambeth Conference, many, he (the speaker) amongst them, were dppdse*d to his leaving the Cjlony, as his loss would be felt much here, and his influence there would be but slight. Since reading what had been done at the Conference he had altered his opinion, and thought it was well that his Lordship had represented the New Zealand Church there. He might mention that a letter of apology from Mr H. Selwyn Smith had been put into his hand. (Applause.)

The Dean of Christchurch read the letter from Mr Smith, expressing great regret at his compulsory absence through illness.

The Chairman then called upon The Very Bev the Dean, who read the following resolution: — "That this meeting desires to offer hearty congratulation in the name of the clergy and laity of the diocese, to the Most Eeverend the Primate on the attainment by him of his seventy-fifth birthday, and earnestly trusts that he may continue for many years to enjoy that health and vigour with which it has pleased God to bless him hitherto." He was sure that the meeting would cordially endorse the resolution. It had been intended that it should be moved from the chair and be seconded by himself, but in deference to the wish of the Chairman he had taken the responsibility of moving it. It had often been a question with him whether or not a long life was a blessing. But our common instinct told us that it was a blessing, and the same opinion was expressed by the wise King of Israel. The Church also taught us to pray for long life, as witness the prayers in the marriage service — that the married should live to see their children well brought up. Long life without health and vigour, however, was perhaps a doubtful blessing. Looking back for 22 years, the speaker could not recollect his Lordship ever having had any serious illness. Of very few, at so advanced an age could the same be said. One thing they might complain of, viz., that his Lordship, when he went away always came back in better health. (Laughter.) That was perhaps to be attributed, not to his having gone away, but to his coming back to his home. His Lordship had enjoyed another great blessing ; not only had he seen his children brought up in Q-odly love and honesty, but scores of grand- children also. (Laughter.) His Lordship could see his children's children, and peace in Israel. When he celebrated his golden wedding, in all probability he would see his children's grand-children. (Applause.) Mr C C. Bowen had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. He was sure that there was no one in the diocese, whether Churchman or not, who would not join heartily in it. Many in that room would remember the landing of the Primate. They would recollect the different condition of things then, and how the cheerfid and happy disposition of his Lordship had had a contageous effect. His Lordship had left many friends behind him in England, where it was said that he had spent the best of his days. But they might fairly say that his Lordship's episcopate had comprised the best years o£ his life. Since he had undertaken the duties of the Primacy, it might be said, he thought, that the very best of his days were at the close of his life. They were especially glad to greet his Lordship that evening, because he Lad been their representative at the Council at Lambeth, showing thereby their visible connection with the church of their fathers. As they had come to hear som« account from his Lordship of that Council, it would be impertinent in him (the speaker) to detain them. He thought he might add to the resolution the congratulations of the meeting to Mrs Harper. (Applause.) The Chairman put the resolution, which was carried with acclamation.

His Lordship the Primate rose to return thanks, and was greeted with applause. He felt that it was a cause for congratulation that he should have been privileged to live so long. ' It was now little more than 22 years since he had arrived. He was in good health then, and thanked God that he had enjoyed, good health since. This was to be attributed partly to his duties requiring so much open air travelling. So far, he had been able to perform his duties in this way. It was very different where persons had to work while shut up in offices. There was another matter. The office of a bishop was a most responsible one, but in the discharge of his duties he had received every assistance from his brethren the clergy, and from the laity. This had relieved him of great anxiety. The Synodical system, established through the great sagacity of Bishop Selwyn, had divided responsibility, and afforded great help to him. Under God, his health and strength he attributed to his having been brought to a climate like this, and to a diocese where he was compelled to take so much exercise, and where he received so much assistance. The Chairman had referred to his going to the Lambeth Conference. With reference to that, he might say that perhaps his former connection with the Home Church, and his strong feeling of loyalty to the see of Canterbury had made him desire to obey the call of the Archbishop. But in addition to this, he had felt bound to go as the representative of New Zealand, and as the successor of one whose wish it had been that the Church of New Zealand should be united in itself, and united to the Church in the mother country. On these grounds he had felt no regret at taking the long journey, and thanked God that he had had strength to attend that Conference, the results of which would benefit, he trusted, ages to come. He could not sit down without thanking those, he did not know their names, who had contributed towards his travelling expenses, as lie thanked those present for the kind expressions contained in the resolution. (Applause.)

The Ven Archdeacon Harper moved the following resolution — " This meeting feeling a deep interest in the main object of His Lordship's recent visit to England, and thankful for the good providence of God which brought together a hundred Bishops from all parts of the world to consult for the good of the Church at Lambeth, under the presidency of His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury ; thankful also for the unanimity which characterised the assembly, and for the results eo far as they have been made public ; desires to hear from the Primate himself some account of the consultations in which he took part, and of the benefits likely to be derived by the Church at large ; and more especially by the Church of New Zealand, and Churches similarly situated, from the Lambeth Conference of 1878." In the course of his remarks the speaker referred to the misapprehension which formerly obtained as to the relations existing between the Colonial Church and that of the Mother Country. He quoted statistics to show the necesiity for Church Conferences. There were some 168 episcopates in close communion with the English Church. The spiritual bond connecting these required elaborating, and this was to he done by means of such Conferences.

Mr H. J. Tancred briefly seconded the resolution, which was carried by acclamation.

His Lordship, in response, gave a brief account of the Lambeth Conference. It had occupied a month, and had been attended by 100 bishops. There had been 30 bishops from England and Wales, including two archbishops and three suffragans ; 10 bishops from Ireland, including two archbishops ; seven bishops from the Church of Scotland ; 19 bishops from the American Church, including two missionary bishops ; and 34 Colonial bishops, including five primates and four who had formerly been bishops in colonies, but were now in England. There were bishopß from England, Ireland, Scotland, Waleß, Gibraltar, British North America, the United States, tho Falkland Islands, India, China, Afriea, the West Indies, Australia, and New Zealand ; in short, at the Conference were representatives of the Catholic Church in communion with the Church of England, from all parts of the known world. (Applause.) The subjects which had been considered were — the best mode of maintaining union among the several branches in union with the Church of England ; the voluntary board of arbitration ; the relation of English bishops to the American bishops; the position of Anglican chaplains and bishops on the Continent ; the modern forma of infidelity ; and the needs, progress, and condition of the churches of the Anglican communion. During the first week

of the Conference tn'eae subjects were brought up and remitted to committees. The committees devoted the second and third weeks to the drawing up of reports on these, which reports were laid before the Conference and digcusßed during the fourth week. His Lordship gave details of the more important business transacted. The Conference had begun and ended with Holy Communion in the Lambeth Chapel, and had been immediately followed By a solemn thanksgiving service in the Cathedral of St. Paul's, which was crowded on the occasion by a most devout congregation. His Lordship was frequently applauded dxiring his address, and Upon resuming his seat, the Chairman, in the name of the meeting, thanked His Lordship for the interesting account he had given. Mr Frederick Hobbs moved the following resolution : — " Having regard to the duty incumbent on the churchmen of the Diocese to place the Bishop, as soon as possible, in possession of a central church, independent of local and parochial obligations and wants, and to the many advantages which may be anticipated from the full operation of the Cathedral system, this meeting is of opinion that new and vigorous efforts should be made without delay for the completion, at the earliest possible date, of the nave of the Cathedral."

The Ven Archdeacon Dudley seconded the motion.

The Eev E. A. Lingard suggested the oinisBion of the words "of the nave." He thought that the meeting would be unanimous in voting for the completion of that portion of the Cathedral which could be made available for Divine service. The tower and spire might be left for the present, but the rest of the Cathedral ought to be finished in the course of the next 12 months. (Applause.) The words having been struck out, the resolution was put to the meeting, and unanimously agreed to. The Eev W. E.Paige moved— " That this meeting, recognising the services already rendered by the Cathedral Guild in fostering public interest in the work of building the Cathedral, and in contributing materially towards its erection, expresses a hope that it will extend its operations and put forth yet more zealous exertions in the same cause."

Mr .J. G. Hawkes seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Very Bev. the Dean moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

The vote was carried by acclamation and duly acknowledged. The meeting closed with the Bishop's benediction.