Bishop Bennett Speaks In the Abbey

Chronicle (Levin), 22 June 1948, Page 2

Bishop Bennett Speaks In the Abbey

Received Monday, 7 p.m. LONDON, June 21. The iirst of a series of sernions at Westininster Abbey by the Bishops attending the Lambeth Conference which begins on Julv i, was given at the evening service. The Rt. Rev. F. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa, prefaced his sermon by expressing gratitude to the Dean of Westmiiiister for the privilege of being invited to preacli at the Abbey. it was an honour, lie added, to the whole of New Zealand as well as to the Maori raee. It was, he said, the Iirst time i iv Maori r resentative had the honour of standing in the pulpit at this sacred place. Bishop Bennett recounted the discovery of New Zealand by the Maoris and recounted his own earjy training. and career. Then he anuounced that his text was the sarne as that used by Samiiel Mars- 5 den when he first preaclied the Gospel in New Zealand on Christnras Day 1814 — " Fear not for behold 1 bring you good tidings. " The Bishop outlined how the Gospel had linked the two races in New Zea- • land so that they were now working hand in liand and cooperating to a remarkable degree. ITe thanked Britishcr ■ for " all vou've been to my people and New Zealand as a wliole." "1 shall never forget this wonderful opportunity and great honour," he said. The congregation included Mr. W. J. Jordau who occupied the New Zealand ofiicial stall, Mir Cyril and Lady Newall and the New 7ealand Olympic team.