ST STEPHENS CHURCH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1979, 25 October 1888, Page 2

ST STEPHENS CHURCH.

OONSEO RATION OF THE j CEMETERY. The Ohuroh of England portion of the A^hburton Cemetery was onnseorated yesterday afternoon by the Most Ray. the Primate, Bishop Harper. The oeremouy took place at three o'olook, at which hoo? the Bishop, Rev E. A.. Soott, the ohoir, and about fifty of the ohuroh people assembled st one of the four small flags denoting the respective oorners of the ground allotted to the Anglioan Oharch. The Rev. Mr Scott, the Incumbent of St. Stephen's, read the petition for consecration, signed by himself, the ohurchwardeoe, and the members of the Veit*y. Th >cc present then walked m prooesslon round the boundaries of the ground, the Bishop leading, and ho being followed by the oholr. Paalnn 49, 90, and 39 neve repeated The boundaries having been gone over, Hia Lordship repented the senteaoe of oonseoratlon and said that he would Bee that it was du'y enrolled among the muniments of the diooeao. Hymn 289(Ano'ent and Modern), "Days and moments qulokly flying," was sung. His Lordship then very eloquently addressed those present on the ceremony that had jast taken plaoe. In Betting apart places for the burial of their dead they were not only following the custom of their forefathers, and of ardent times, but they had also the sanction of Scriptural warrant. They read m their bibles of Abraham buying a piece of land for a burial ground, and of Jacob enjoining his sons to lay his body In the burial ground of his forefathers. Even among heathen nations the custom prevailed. These seemed to feel there was something saored m the human body, and that though It mouldered into dost, one day the mortal would put on Immortality, and the corruptible InoorruoMoa, This was instanced even m this country, for there were none more jealous than the Maoris of preserving from Indignity the burial plaoes of their dead, and this Instlnot must have been Implanted m them by a Higher Power. We m these times had far greater reason for setting apart plaoes for the reception of the dead, where they might reßt m peace and Beonro from indignity, than Abraham and those of whom we read ia thn Old Testament, inasmuch as greater Bsnotlty had been given the human body by Christ Himself, the Sod of God, taking upon Him the mortal form. His Lordship concluded ft vary eloquent addreaß by enjoining his hearers to keep pnre and holy their bodies, which they wore told were preolous In the sight of God, and not anger Him by lending them to sin. Hymn 438 (Anoient and Modem) "How bright those glorious spirits shine," was sung His Lordship ottered prayer. The procession then returned to the mortuary ohapel and the proceedings terminated.