sr. JOHN'S CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1414, 15 April 1912, Page 4

sr. JOHN'S CHURCH.

ORDINATION OF DEACONESS,

Last night, in St. John's Church, Br, Gibb preached to a very large lion on "Women's AVork in the Church' and the World." The theme was chosen in view of tho fact that Miss Norah Dick was at the close of the service ordained to the deaconess-sliip by a delegation of tho Wellington Presbytery. Dr. Gibb said that it was specially of tho Christian woman's work that he wished to speak, but as preliminary to this he dealt briefly with tho wider question. 1 The great statement of Genesis, "So God created man in His own image, male and femalo created Ho them," was woman's first charter of freedom fluid essential equality with man. That equality did not mean that man's work was woman's work. Woman was not undeveloped man, but diverse. She was the complement to man, and must seek her development: along tho lines that were natural and appropriate to her body and soul. To dej line these lines, however, was a task of tho greatest difficulty. Perhaps it was best not to dogmatise, but to throw tho door of opportunity u'ido open, and test tho matter by experiment. In flic long run, ho believed, it would bo found that man had his own task and woman hers. Woman's task as a Christian was in e.v sence the same a? man's, differing though very greatly, in the methods bv which it was accomplished. That task might in brief bo described as winning the world for Christ. This task must be carried out along the two lines of tho influence of Christian character and ot direct service. AN ith relation to the he said that Hie Christian woman would consider all slie Ims of gifts and i;race as held for (ho benefit of others. \\cre she better educated, more refined and cultured than some of her sisters then sho would value her superiorities not as shut, tin* her off from her sisters, but to help and uplift them. Dealing with direct work, Dr. Gibb affirmed that every Christian woman who had time and opportune itv, or could make such, ought to be engaged in active philanthropic and rollgious work. ~ Vinallv, attention was dircctpd lo In# work which the Church found for women who gave up all secular callings to servo in the mission field or in tho home dlaconulu. The value of the services of the deaconesses who had worked in M. John's was alluded to, and the new deaconcss commended to tho sympathy and succours of tho congregation. Itiis appointment gave emphatic recognition tc the supremo importance which th« Church attached to woman's work. He asked the women who were present to seizo that occasion to make a new departnre in the service of their Lord. After the service the Presbytery, represented bv Dr. Gibb, acting ns Moderator, the Hev. B. Hntson, and Mr. Hammy, elder, was constituted. Dr. Gibb recounted the steps that had led lo the appointment of Miss Norah Dick, a member of the congregation, mid who last November completed her period of tuition and (raining in the Assemlily s li\>\\lute in Dunediii. He then put the piescribed questions to her. I. he deaconesselect having answered thr«e, knelt, ana the members of the Presbytery, l.iviug their hand* on her head, she was solemn]v ordained, and set apart to the ollioo uv liravor which was offered by tho Moderator' The choir sang the blessing .thn T.ord Bless Thee and Keep 'I hoc. and then Dr. fiibb. in the name of Jesus Christ the King and Head ot th<* Church, and bv instruction? of the Pres. bvterv of Wellington, gave her,the right hand of fellowship, adniitlii.ir.hor to all the privilof-o* ami responsibilities of her office. The Hev. Mr. Tin!--on briefly addressed a word of counsel fir.-t lo the deaconess and then to the congregation.