CHANGES IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1498, 22 July 1912, Page 4

CHANGES IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The consecration of the Anglican Bishop of Nelson yesterday morning, following on that of the Bishop of Melanesia on the previous Sunday, is another reminder of the frequent; changes which have occurred in recent years in the Episcop'al bench of the Church of the Province of New Zealand, which includes the missionary diocese of Melanesia. The fact that new bishops have had to be found for no less than five of tha seven dioceses within three years is probably unprecedented in the history of tho New Zealand Church. In the period mentioned Bishops have been consecrated for Auckland, Wai apu, Wellington, Nelson, and Melanesia. In two cases (Waiapu and Wellington) New Zealand clergymen have been selected, in two othes (Auckland and Nelson) men have been brought from Australia-, and in the fifth (Melanesia) an English clergyman has been appointed. The experience which the new Bishop of Nelson has gained-in Australia under conditions very similar to those which prevail in New Zealand should be most valuable as regards the training of candidates for Holy Orders, a matter of first-rate importance which is just now receiving very careful attention ; and_ in other matters the help of an active and capable mind witli fresh ways of looking at things will be of great assistance noth to his own diocese and to the whole Anglican Church of New Zealand. The new Bishop of Melanesia (Dr. Wood) is also regarded by those' best able to judge as the right man in the righ* place—and it is no light matter to succeed such men as Bishops Patteson, John Selavyn, and Cecil Wilson ; but Dp.. Wood is entering on his work with a whole-hearted enthusiasm and hopefulness which augurs well for the future of the Melanesian Mission. These \ island missions, which arc being carried on by various Churches, have undoubtedly done splendid work. It is true that mistakes have been made, and that they have at times been adversely criticised ; but after making every allowance' for shortcomings, they have overwhelmingly justified their existence. In addition to their work as preachers of the Gospel, the very presence of the missionaries, as independent spectators and critics, has been a great protection to the natives in isolated islands and groups from the unscrupulous exploitation of a certain class of Europeans. The new edition of the "Encyclopaedia Britannica" is well within the mark when it states that "it would require many a volume to tell what missions have done for- civilisation, freedom, the exploration of unknown regions, the bringing to light of ancient literatures, the founding of the science of comparative religion, the broadening of the horizon of Christian thought in the homelands, and the bringing of distant peoples into the brotherhood of nations. .Referring particularly to missionary work in the South Seas, the same article gives the following as its outstanding features:—(l) Its remarkable success: cannibalism,, human sacrifice, and infanticide have been suppressed, civilisation and trade have been marvellously advanced. (2/ The evangelical devotion of the natives themselves. (3) The need of continued European supervision, the natives being still in many ways little better than grown-up children. Such a work is well worthy of the help and sympathy of_ New Zealanders, and it also brings into our outlook one of those welcome touches of wholesome romance which from time to time lift us above the rush for wealth and pleasure, and the sordid cares of the daily struggle for existence.