RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1693, 8 March 1913, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

HISTORIC EVENT. AN INDIAN BISHOP CONSECRATED. REMARKABLE GATHERING IN ANGLICAN OATHKDItAL. (i A Calcutta correspondent of the "Church Time?" (Anglican), writing 011 January 2, states:— On Dcpoinber 21), 11112, an Indian was consecrated 13ishop in Calcutta Cathedral by the Metropolitan of India and ten other Bishops of Indian sees. His Excellency the Governor of Bengal and Lady Caniiichacl wene present amongst a large congregation which included Indians of every part of India, Sin'halen rrom Ceylon, and Bunnell from Burma. seated in the chqncel of the Cathedral were clerical anl lay delefrute.3 from all tho dioceses of India and Ceylon, a eonsiderable mini bar of whom were Indian, iheir presence signified a great deal more than merely .the widespread interest in the great solemnity. It signified that the Church of India is beginning to be conscious of herself' as well as 'of her chains, and it is becoming certain that either tho chains will have to go altogether, or that they will become so loose that-there can be freedom of movement and self-organisation within them. These delegates have been brought together . to advise,the Bishops as'-to how synodieal government, both 'provincial aiid diocesan, may best ba organised in India. It is claimed that there is already a true provincial synod iff India, but it is held by a considerable number of Churchmen in India, whether rightly or wrongly we here give no opinion, that a gathering of Bishops_ meeting with closed <ioors limls no justification either in Holy Scripture or in history'; that it is a secret conclave,. and not a synod. However this may be, it has become obvious that i lie consecration of an Indian Bishop has cither happened to synchronise with, or hiis i largely helped on, the desire of the Indian Church to realise itself. For the first time in the history of the Church in India, there is a diocesan Bishop of pure* Indian birth, 1 with the exception, of' course, of tile Bishops of the Syrian Communion in South India, and for the first time also a large Jiody of elected delegates coming from every part of tho province are assembled in Calcutta,- determined that the Church in India shall both have a name of her own and a constitution.

Among tho many words which were spoken on the great day of the conseeratialt nono was more notable than the speech of the Metropolitan in reply to ail address from the Tamil Christians of South India, Burma, and Ceylon,when a pastoral stall' was presented to tho Bishop of Dornakal. He told them not to liopo for more Indian Bishoprics' but for more Indian Bishops. What he .meant was that distinction of race would haveto cease in tho,Churcli in India. To quote his own words: "Let us not divide the office of a Bishop in India bv any racial distinction. The time will, come, even though it. may not be in the immediate future, when the distinction between race and race, which - has been so strongly marked, will' be verv much less perceptible- than at present. ' I daresay the time may come when over a diocese wliero Englishmen preponderate an Indian Bishop will preside, whilst over a diocese where Indians preponderate an J'-nshshman will preside, and thus they •A- m n equal rights and opportunities. But lio also frankly told the meeting that for six'montlis'.he fiad had to fight 111 order that the new Indian Bishop might not merely Ibe an assistant bis hop, but that he might be a pukka bishop, with real jurisdiction ill-his own diocese, to whom the presentation of a pastoral staff might not be a sham. llie scene at the consecration was.'indeed- a remarkable one. At least half- the congregation were Indian-Christians. Indians in every kind of dress, from the yellow.robe of the sanyasi to the-imma-culate frock-coat of tho Europeanised one thronged to the Cathedral, tho highly-coloured silk saris of South Indian ladies/contrasting vividly with the -nlain r -li 9 °rn, , Bengali sisters in tho iait i. the long procession of the Bishops or tho province, having a pastoral staff carried before mm, was highly impressive. -The sermon was preached bilbo veteran missionary, Canon Sell of Madras, who for forty-seven years Ims norked in India and is the Christian protagonist against Islam. it, is believed that tho new Bishop of Dornakal is determined to maintain the. mmost simplicity in his household and family life. ■ His wife and children wore present at the consecration, and all followed the Indian custom of going barefooted. Mrs. Azariah is liersolf a loader amongst Indian women and has published \aluable little bociks for the use of Indian mothers. Some interest has been manifested m the question as to what kind of dress the new Bishop would wear. Jtould he, or would he not, inflict gaiters and apron upon the Indian Church ? That question can now be answered. The Bishop of Dornakal will not wear gaiters and his "apron" will consist of a simnio purple cassock. - ■

Tito greatest interest has been manifested in the non-Christian world in India in tins elevation of an Indian to episcopal rank. It is said that a Hindu actually travelled all the way from South India in tho hopo that lie might be present nt tho consecration. .A group of Hindu lawyers, recognising the Bishon-elect. in' the tram 011 his way to Calcutta, at onco began to cross-examine him'as to whether lie would have in all respects the same powers as a European Bishop. To them it was n matter of tho highest significance that witnin the Christian Church an Indian should be given equal authority to an English-Bishop's. It is impossible to write of this great day for tho .'Church in India, and of all that it'may mean, without recalling that it is largely to tho persevering enthusiasm of ono man that there is at last an Indian diocesan Bishop. Many have been ready enough to say that an Indian Episcopate was thc ideal we must aim at, but almost, nil have been equally ready to ■add that\ the time was not j ; et, nor tho man. The Bishop of Madras believed that both the timo and the man were ready, and m season and out of season, in the face of oppopitiijii, and in spite.of sneers, lie has been 'true to his faith. It was not unnatural that in his speech at the presentation of the crozier to Bishop Azariali lie should describe that day as tho happiest of his life, as the climax to five years' work and effort in South India and elsewhere, and it: is possible that if he has had io fight hard in South India h" may have had still harder to fight "wisewhere." In tho course of his speech, he said: "I am not exaggerating when I say jthat the service wo have taken part iii this inorning is the most important event tlint has taken place in the history of the Indian Church for the last hundred years, since Bishop Middleston landed in Calcutta in 1815; and we look forward to it as the beginning of what we all luipe will new era in the Indian Church." MASS ON THE MOUNTAIN, ARCHBISHOP KELLY AT KOSCIUSKO.

Pontifical Mass was celebrated on February 23 011 Hie summit of 'Kosciusko, Now South Wales. Delightful weather favoured the big celebration. For weeks it had been looked forward to, and the arrangements, which were in the hands of Father Norris, of. Cootna, and an enthusiastic committee, weroso elaborate in detail that nothing but bad weather could have marred tho function.

For a couple of days beforehand vehicles and iKjrsbmen kept filing beyond the hotel, which, though over 5000 ft. above tho sea level, is still over 17 miles from the summit. Thcro were seventeensihotor-cars— most: touring religious banners'.. A con-, tingent of the Cooma Hibernians carrying in their car both an Australian ami an Irish .Flag reached the summit on Sunday morniug:

At half-past 10 o'clnclc exactly, the Archbishop's party reached tho platform in front of Mr. Wragge's observation hut, 7328 ft. above sea level, and were received' with enthusiastic cheers by Father Norris and the concourse alreadv assembled. The party consisted of Archbishop Kelly, Dr. Jlwyor (liishop of Maitland), Father M'Dsrniott. (of fit. Patrick's' College, Manly), and Father O'Heillv (C.M. of St. htnmslau's College, Bathursi). Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Bishop Dwycr »u a tent erected for {lie purpose, and handsomely decorated. Tho Archbishop presided. Or. Dwycr was assisted by Father M'Derniott. Manv received Hol'v Communion at the Mass, and nil remained for the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, with which the function concluded. At the end of the Mass, tho Archbishop, took as his text Matthew v, 1-2, "And seeing tho-multitude, He went up into

a mountain, and opening Ilis rooutli Ho taught them.' - Tlio scientist, said his Grace, came to Kosciusko to decipher tlio past history of tlioir plauot from tho most; ancient of geological records* Tlio tourists, came to enjoy tlio bracing atmosphere and the glorious panorama there unrolled before them. As for them they came like Hoses of old to coininuno with God. They eanie to learn from the Ghurcli in their own day the true, spirit of tho law of Christ ),y which alone they-covrld bo saved, and that (hoy might bo in thorough harmony with that teaching they would recite altogether with him that most venerable of all tlio creeds, which •took thenr back to tho time of tho Apostles. Here the Archbishop recited slowly and solemnly tho Apostles' Creed, which was repeated phrase bv phrase by (ho.whole assembly. He then weiit'on to emphasise those points of the Christian law which, were most essential for the welfare ot tho individuals and of society, and liioro.,particularly for Australia, chastity, justice, mutual charity, and respect-for tho sanctity uf oaths. These '.were obligations that could not bo ignored with impunity by those who'aimed at eternal life." Tho .Divorcu Court Was already undermining tho homes of the country, sapping conjugal affection, casting childfen adrift, with uncertain domestic tics. Their legislators must retrace their steps' if they would bring their laws into harmony, with that ofXhe .Gospel. Above all, the educational policy of Australia was unsound. Let them consider their own nation. His-, tory kept for our warning the record.of ancient empires.- History attested the folly of all individuals or States to .say ia their hearts, "There is iio God.". Hoat Christianity was vanished from tiio school, life of our children. The uvil .spirit of secularism should be exorcised from their euimtry. His Grace concluded by saying, ".Uay a blessing descend (his morn-' ing from'these heights upon Australia and all her people, like that blessing which I'atrick, front ' tho western,, mountains which bear his dear name, invoked upon tlio Irish race. May the Lord ho their God, may Christ be their ruler, may heaven and its joys bo unto all of them their eternal home."

. The Bishop 1 -of Maitlaml congratulated Father Nonis nml the Monaro people who hud done so much to achieve the singular, success of the celebration. He felt himself indebted to tlicm for a .privilege ho esteemed highly. By celebrating 'lie .holy sacrifice on Kosciusko he realised how ho had helped to fulfil the jirojiliccy of Malachi that sacrifice should be offered in every place. The thought was one to fill them all with joy ami exultation. J)'atlier Morris, the originator of tho celebration, and Fathers M'Dermott and O'Reilly also addressed tho gathering, which included Sir Francis Suttor and many members of other denominations. A MISSION PIONEER. , REV. W. G. TAYLOR'S RETIREMENT.

The Rev. W. G. Taylor has .expressed a. desire to retire from the presidency of the Sydney Central Mission; Perhaps no one in the Methodist, ministry in New: South Wales, to-day possesses the wimo revival fire or;the sama distinguished evangelistic record as Mr. Taylor--(soys the "Sydney Daily Telegraph")—at' any rato .there' i's no mail'engaged in religious work better, known througlwut the entire State. I£6w 'could it be'otherwise? Not only was.ho tho founder -of-a mission which has be.como- the greatest institutional church'in the southern' hemisphere, but. for many, years lie has been--its-chief driving-power. In 1681 th'e Methodist,"Church .in.York Street was 'in a- depleted-- ( condition. People had been moving out into iho Aent'icing suburbs, and a congregation of -1200 had gradually melted untii 'th« attendance'. was' 50 only, and. t.lio membership. IT.'.riaii after 'plan had' failed to bi'mthofresh,'lifts into iv fast-declining churcli, and when the cry of "Sell it" icame .frblii "many :lips, a' suggestion was .made to„"Try an evangelist." Mr. Taylor was then in the midst of a revival in tho Glebe Church, ami, being tho man most suited to, tackle tho position, ho was transferred to the "forlorn hope." A dilapidated., building,; burdened' with debt, and ;conferenco nono too hopeful, - presented", a task calling for .dash and ability. , ( But extraordinary things were achieved by extraordinary methods. Mr. Taylor had appointed as his colleague the llev. F. C. Boyer, and the pair took their stand on the streets of Sydney, the one playing tho orgaif wliile the other preaclied a gospel the "man in the street" could understand. Two things wero at onc» resol veil upon—u namo and a. motto—and tlicso remain to this day, viz., "The CenMethodist Mission" and "A , Living Christ for a Dying World." And hero it should bo remembered that the Sydney Mission was the first of the kind now so numerous in Methodism. It was in tho following year English Methodists used the same name by which their great forward movements are now known. ' Tho Sydney Mission is, therefore, the pioneer of the Great Central-Missions. Tho llev. ,Peter Thompson started his work in tho East End of London in 1885, just" a year after Mr. Taylor had commenced on now. lines in Sydney. In spite of opposition" from free-thinkers and other quarters, perseverance refilled tho church,'and in • 1886 conference decided .to pull the old building 'down and erect in its place, tho Centenary Hall, at' a cost of ,£3o;tioo. This building was opened in 1888. . The year 1(108 was 'historip for, tho, mission. The late Mr. E. Vickery;-who-lad often inspired Mr.. Taylor 'in' tryinfr''to reach his evangelical ideals "and supported the work liberally, now handed over, on 'certain conditions, for mission purposes, the splendid Lyceum premises, which at-the present time arc valued-!at over JJGO.OOO. The Central Mission, with, its two brass bands of over 30 performers, its Personal. Workers' .league, 1 guilds, brigades, and societies, is in itself a wonderful organisation; but add to' theso a children's home, tho lmgo immigration premises at Circular-Quay, and a second depot in Geoi'ge Street JCorlh, a cheap .shelter for man in Woolloomooloo, residential quartefs at tho Castloreagh Street headquarters, and a great evangelistic •campaign nYaintained year after year, and there is presented something unit)uo in the realm of religion—and all this may bo said to ,bo the wait of tho -ideals, pluck, and enthusiasm of the much-loved man who, through increasing years and lessening vigour, finds it necessary to ask' his executive body to relieve him of tho strenuous activity ho has s.i heroically manifested during so many years in the city of Sydney.

THE REV. J. E. CARRUTHERS,;, • I'IiEStDENT OF N.S.W.- METHODIST CONFERENCE. / The Hey. James E. Carnithcrs, who last week was elceted president of the New South Wales Methodist Conference,'is one of the best-known ministers of the connection,- which lie has served for 45 years. Ho was born in Sydnev, and afterwards, lived <it Kiama, ond ill 18CS was recommended by the Kiama Church as a candidate for (lie ministry, amongst his conlempuraries from the same church toing liev. W. It. B'eale, late liev. Joseph Beale, and l!:v. \Y. Dunning (Q.I. Dur-' ing his loirg ministry ho was stationed in. many places throughout the State, ttio past 20 years having fen spent in tho metropolitan area. In 18115 he was elected president of- tho Wc.slevan • Conference, Methodist union not having then feu consummated. He was chairman of tho cuintnittoo of inquiry into matters in I'iji in 11)07, and in 1908 went to England as one of tho Australian representatives "to (ho Ih'ilish eonfcivnco. 'IVo years ago he was elected secretary ol' the General (-onlereneo ol Australia. He has served the Church in. New South Wales' with I iiuirkpd fil>iKt.y mul energy, fuul, iu addi(ion 1o his (miinary ministerial mirk, ho lias euitcxl the ".Moiliouist" newspaper for several years,' and given valuable assistance on various committcos of the conference. . 11is election, on this occasion was due chielly. to.il feeling that his knowtxlgo, experience, and taci. would enablo mm to render great servico to tho Church in New South Wales in the' forthcoming general conference: Speaking after liis election, he said that tho conference, hav-. ing conferred (lie highest honour in their power to bestow upon him, ho.would try }° «o l;is duly. Tho Methodist Church had had the consecration of his life, and ho was thankful that after having been spaVcd to complclo 45 years of his ministry, they did not regard him as a spent force. All ho wished to say nt that time ca " a 'M™ti<m to tho great niid/ abiding causes of all their Church's sue? o;s£. .Methodism was nothing if not a spiritual force, and ho hoped'during this year, they woujd givo themselves moi-o and more to prayer. He would givo them as a niotto: "Spirituality in membership, efficiency in tho ministry, evangelism interpreted according lo tlioibroadfist humauilariaiiisni, and . aggressWh all nlolig tho lino«'