THE BISHOP OF DUNEDIN.

Evening Star, Issue 2991, 19 September 1872, Page 2

THE BISHOP OF DUNEDIN.

From the Staffordshire Adrertiser of June 1, we learn that Dr Ncvill b rmally bade farewell to his late parishioners at Shelton on the Sunday previous. On that day he preached two sermons in St, Mark’s Church, the services being full choral. There were large congregations. lu the morning his lordship received his seven year’s work in the parish, and congratulated the parishioners on the improvements which had been effected during that time. He observed that the “tone” of Churchmen was very low whoa he came to Shelton, and many appeared to regard it as a matter of indifference whether

they attended Church or any other place of worship. Now, the tone of Churchmen was raised, and most Churchmen could give a reason for the faith that was in them. At one of the first meetings he attended in the town, he was told that the Church was not the establishment of Hanley ; but latterly there had been less of that triumphant tone amongst those who were not of the Church than there was seven years ago. He gave his parish!oners all the praise that was due on account of the improvement in this respect. Ho had been asked why he left the important work of that parish, where SO much remained to be done ; and he replied that he believed he was called upon by God to the new charge ho had undertaken ; and that He would find men to continue the work he was leaving. He prayed for a continuance of peace, unity and good-will amongst them, and that the good work would increase and prosper. In the evening the Bishop referred to the work which he had undertaken for the future, remarking that he was forcibly reminded that it was twelve months that day since he was consecrated Bishop of Dunedin, He described his diocese as a wilder-

ness, waiting the arrival of spiritual laborers to be converted into a beautiful and prosperous garden. There were but ten clergymen in the whole diocese, and in many places the people were from thirty to forty miles from any clergyman or church. He desired to supply this deficiency as far as possible by taking out as many clergymen as he could and founding an institution at Dunedin for the education of young men for the ministry. He had a principal for the college, and a good propo.tion of the amount required towards establishing it. He appealed to the congregation to assist him in raising the remainder, observing that in him, as having charge of a diocese on the other side of the world, they had a reminder of the catholicity of the Church, which he believed to be the purest and truest Church upon garth. He warmly acknowledged the kindness which he had received from all classes since he had beep in Shelton. The offertory, morning and evening, realised L 22 16s,