Service of Dismissal and Benediction.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume I, Issue 6, 1 December 1910, Page 9

Service of Dismissal and Benediction.

A service of Dismissal and Benediction for the O.M.A. Missionary, the Rev. Frank 0. Long, who was leaving that day '-en route for his future home m the Punjaub, India, was conducted by tHe Bishop of Waiapu m Napier Catnedral on Thursday, 27th October,

at .1 1 a.m. There was a large congregation, among whom were many of the clergy of the Diocese, who were assembling for the opening of the Diocesan Synod. The Bishop celebrated the Holy Communion, and after the Credo, conducted the service of dismissal and preached. The candidate, standing before the Bishop at the sanctuary steps, was asked the following questions :— Question : Are you persuaded that God has called you to labour for Him m the Mission Field ? Answer : I am. Question : Are you prepared to obey those who are set over you :in the Lord, and to do the work allotted to to you with a cheerful and ready will? Answer : I am. Question : Are you ready to spend and be spent m the Master's service, and to labour for the conversion and spiritual edification of those who know not God m Christ Jesus and the saving power of the Gospel ? Answer : I am. After the examination, the Dismissal followed m these words :— "I, Alfred Walter, by Divine Permission Bishop of Waiapu, being satisfied after due enquiry, of the earnestness and steadfast purpose of the Rev. Frank C. Long, and being satisfied that he is going to India m response to the call of Almighty God, do hereby solemnly 'dismiss' him to the work which he is about to undertake, and on behalf of the Church of the Province of New Zealand, do send him forth to serve the One God and Father of all m the Missionary work of the Church. The Lord be with thee, my brother, m thy going out and m thy coming m; the Lord sustain thee and strengthen thee m the hour of temptation ; the Lord support and comfort thee m the hour of loneliness; the Lord guard and keep the m the hours of danger and sickness ; the Lord watch over and retain thee m the hours of success, and encourage and sustain thee hours of failure; the Lord inspire and teach thee so that though mayest teach others ; the Lord use thee for the carrying out of His will and make thee a torch-bearer m the dark places of His world. ' The Lord give thee health and strength for the work to which thou art called;" Blessing: "Unto God's gracious mercy and protection," etc. The Bishop based his address upon the text from Isaiah vi, 8 : "I heard the Voioe of the Lord saying 1 , whoni

shall I send, and who will go for us ? Then said I, Here am I send me." : ; The Holy Communion service was continued, at which many present drew near m faith, and offered their solemn prayers on behalf of our brother before the Throne of Grace. At the conclnsion of the service the clergy present assembled m the vestry^ where the Rev. Chatterton read the dismissal letter from the CM. A.^ Nelson. :