BISHOP FITCHETT.

Evening Star, Issue 21744, 12 June 1934, Page 8

BISHOP FITCHETT.

Members of the Anglican community in Dunedin were deeply moved yesterday by the ceremonies at St. Paul’s Cathedral, when the Vqnerable W. A. R. Fitchett was consecrated the third bishop of this diocese. The services, morning and evening, were admirably arranged and carried out. What was much appreciated was that from the point of view of the public the right notes were struck. Bishop WestWatson in the morning and Bishop Fitchett in the evening revealed that, while standing steadfast for their own particular form of faith, they respected those of the other branches of the Christian church, and so far as possible desired to work with them in harmonious co-operation. Bishop WestWatson said: “ In moral and social interests, in religious education, in international and in missionary questions, the Christian phurches are hearing a more insistent call to work together in witness for Christ.” In the evening, in a: packed cathedral, the new bishop, to a deeply impressed congregation, explained his evangel in simple and emphatic language. His aim, he said, was to declare the central purpose of Christ’s life on earth and of the church militant hero in the world. Bishop Fitchett passed by, as hardly appropriate to the occasion, the vexed questions of the orders of the ministry and the Apostolic succession, touching on them merely to indicate his respect for the views of those not in his own fold. The thoughts of both bishops on these points were uttered three hundred years ago by Richard Baxter, whose best-remem-bered work is 4 The Saint’s Everlasting Rest.’ He wrote: 44 I am not for narrowing the church more than Christ Himself alloweth us nor for robbing Him of any of His flock.” Again: 44 They should not tear the garment of Christ all to pieces rather than it should want their lace.”

Unfortunately in the years that have passed since Richard Baxter’s day his precepts have been more honoured in the breach than the observance. It is refreshing to find that those disputatious times have passed, and that a more tolerant and Christian era is being ushered in. An example of this is to be found in the midday services arranged by the dean in the cathedral on two days in the week, when brief address*. are given by ministers representing all the Protestant denominations. Bishop Fitchett refuted a com mon idea last night when he said it was not the business of the church to do anything official as an official body save to teach the principles of Christ, and by its ministrations to its members give them courage and strength to live in accord with those principles. This is in agreement with the views of many thoughtful people. The Christian religion should bo a way of life, and much of the criticism of the church in. the past has been due to the failure of so many of its adherents oven approximately to follow the way of the Master. The bishop’s defence of the church, with all its limitations and evidences of human frailty, was very effective. It is, as he said, the church that has created the public conscience to move Governments and men in the establishment and maintenance of the modern institutions that do so much to lighten the burdens of the sick, the homeless, and the poor —life’s wounded. Bishop \Fitchett brings to his office ripe experience, sound judgment, administrative ability, and sincerity of purpose. We are sure that the people of this city will wish him success in his high emprise.