Bishop of Wellington Administers Holy Confirmation to Soldiers

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 31, 12 July 1940, Page 4

Bishop of Wellington Administers Holy Confirmation to Soldiers

From Captain Pearce, Church Army Hut, July 4, 1940. An unusual event took place in the Trentham Camp last week when the Bishop of Wellington came along to the Church Army Hut to administer Holy Confirmation to six men. The Candidates were presented by the Rev. C. E. Willis, Church of England Chaplain to the Forces, and about sixty were present in the congregation, including officers and men. The candidates had been prepared by Padre F. H. Buck, but he had*been < transferred to Ngaruawahia before they could be presented to the Bishop. The scene was most impressive, as with Red Poppies on the Altar and Altar lights burning, all emblematical of the Holy Spirit, the Bishop stood in the Chancel and laid hands upon each in turn with the words “Defend 0 Lord this Thy servant with Thy Heavenly grace . that he may continue Thine for ever and daily increase z in Thy Holy Spirit more and more until he comes to Thy everlasting Kingdom.” The Bishop’s address was lengthy and he exhorted the men to realise the importance of the step they were taking and to resolve to witness a \ \ good profession of the Christian Faith at all times. It was possible to be on the Offensive, on the Defensive and Sit-on-the-fence-ive.