TRIBUTE TO A GREAT BISHOP.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 25, Issue 9, 1 September 1935, Page 6

TRIBUTE TO A GREAT BISHOP.

RIGHT REV. THOMAS HENRY SPROTT, D.D., 0.8. E. Preaching at St. Paul's . Pro-Cathe-dral the Rev. Canon Percival James gave the following eloquent tribute to our beloved Bishop. His words will re-echo m the hearts of one and all throughout the Diocese: — Among the Church people of the Wellington Diocese (and it is not confined to them) there is unaffected regret that the time" has come, m the Bishop's judgment, for him to relinquish his oversight of the Church, m this Diocese. Our sorrow here at St Paul's is not the least; this has been the Bishop's Church for over fortythree years. He was vicar here for nineteen years, and for twenty-four years this has been his Cathedral Church. Fortunate indeed has been our young Church m New Zealand to be served for half a century by a man of such intellectual distinction. Here he is revered not only as a scliolar of wide learning, ripe wisdom and profound insight, but also (and more tenderly) as a "holy and humble man of heart" who has lived very close to God. Pew are able to estimate the extent of the Bishop's services to the Church. He has not sought, but has rather

shunned public notice. He has a horror of the limelight; popular applause is the last thing he would desire. But, m the inner councils of the Church, his wisdom and knowledge have been a guiding and steadying influence. He is not "tossed to and fro" by every breeze of changing opinion. Through the period of turmoil m which his Episcopate lias been served his sanity of judgment has stood like a rock. In his last address to Synod the Bishop described himself as belonging to the older generation whose work is done. But those who know him best believe that, m his freshness of outlook and his breadth of sympathetic, understanding of new currents of thought, the Bishop remains the youngest of us all- That perennial freshness springs from his passion for sincerity, for truth, for justice. It is impossible to listen to his addresses or to enjoy conversation with him without being made ashamed to linger amongst half-truths. It may be one penetrating remark, one illuminating phrase — but it is a challenge to seek the reality which lies behind the darkling veil of appearance to clarify our minds — above all "to clear our minds of cant." Such is the tonic effect of contact with a great mind. Not the least gift m the Bishop's rich endowment is his command of words. We wish that more of our modern writers, theological and other, could rival his simplicity of language m treating of deep matters. The secret of his fine literary quality is found, I think, m Newmans admonition: "Prune thou thy words, thy thoughts control, That o'er thee swell and throng; Thy will condense within thy soul, And change to purpose strong." Behind every utterance of the Bishop — otherwise he will not break silence' — lies very patient and exact inquiry, calm unhurried reflection, dispassionate and fair judgment. So his clergy and his people have learned to trust his guidance. We pray that he may be spared to guide the Church with his counsel. There is no happier or better ordered Diocese than Wellington has been under his rule. His clergy will ever remember Kirn with gratitucle and affection as a true "father m God,"

patient and . understanding, slow to. censure, ever ready with a timely word of sympathy or warning or cheer. We will cherish the memory of one who has truly endeavoured to guide his life by the Divine rule: "to. do justly and to love mercy and to, walk humbly with thy God." And during all these years the work ol! the Church m this parish and diocese has received unfailing, untiring, aid from the self-giving of Mrs. Sprott. Apart from specifically Church activities many good causes m Wellington, have touched her generous heart — especially those which are concerned, with the welfare of women and girls. It would be difficult to overstate the value of her quiet influence and example. No woman m Wellington is, more beloved.