Synod Services.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XIII, Issue 4, 2 October 1922, Page 408

Synod Services.

The Synod services were on the whole very inspiring, especially the sung celebrations on Friday and Sunday. Merbeckcwas fairly well sung but, m spite of Mr P. Tombs' - able and careful tuition, Anglican stiffness was evident and there was too little spontaneity and lack of volume. : The Archibshop on Sunday was splendid m his rendering of the celebrant's part. In spite of the notices placed at the doors, a number of the congregation made an ignominious retreat during the most solemn part of the service (John 13, verse 30). The Archbishops' sermon on Sunday evening was characteristically human. He preached on the parable of the prodigal son and particularly dealt with the character of the elder brother, faithful; constant arid diligent but self-satisfied, comparing the complacency of modern Christians, and their attitude of superiority towards notorious sinners to the conduct of the elder brother towards the' younger. The sermon was a powerful appeal, well timed and incisive. The. most eloquent testimony .tp its appropriateness was heard m Napier during the -week, when knots of older brothers whom it had smitten but had not convinced discussed it with warm criticism at the street eprnersj .>_...