The Bishop's Crozier

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 26, 29 June 1905, Page 6

The Bishop's Crozier

In the course of his reply to the address presented to him when he was enthroned, as Bishop of Ballarat, the Right Rev. Dr. Higgifts referred to the symbol of his office, which the Church places^ in the hands of a Bishop at his consecration. The episcopal croner (said his Lordship) consists of three jjarts, the crook at the top, the staff in the centre, and the sharoened point at the end. Now, these three parts aie intended to possess an interesting and instructive meaning for the holder. By tho curved top he is reminded of his duty to draw the wayward and the wanderer from the by-ways of error and sin into the straight paths of Christian virtue, and the faithful fulfilment of Christian duty, and to hold them safe in the haven of peace and security. The straight, strong staff of the centre, while serving to support his own tottering steps m the hour of trial, will also indicate that he nxust sustain the good in the pursuit of honesty and justice, respecting the rights and privileges of their follow-men, and rendering dutiful obedience to all legiti-mately-constituted authority ; while the pointed end conveys the unpleasant warning that, when the traveller loiters on the narrow road that leads to eternal life, or the laborer flags in his cv It i vat ion "of his Master's vineyard, he must be urged to duty, not only by gentle persuasion, but also by something more pungent, if necessary. I 'have no apprehension that such necessity shall arise.