ANGLICAN CHURCH JUBILEE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2104, 12 June 1907, Page 2

ANGLICAN CHURCH JUBILEE

CELEBRATION IN GISBORNE.

A groat informal gathering of ’ parishioners and the public generally was hold at His Majesty’s Theatre last night in celebration of the jubilee of the Church of England, m New Zealand. The attendance was very large, and the lack of ceremony and the informal nature of tho proceedings made all present spend a very enjoyable evening. A number o speeches wore made in reference to the occasion, and while the importance and significance of the mooting was never lost sight of,-the audience clearly understood that they had not come to listen to sermons, but to celebrate the day. No programme was I drawn up, hut various musical item wore contributed during the evening. Tho Rev. Dawson Thomas explained that a programme was too formal, and the following musical items were rendered by the arrangement of Mr.

Sidebottom: —Opening March, by the Club Orchestra; “The Holy City,” song, Mr. Kimpton; • Two Eyes of Grey,” song, Mrs. Shierlaw (oncoro, “An Old Love Story ); “Come into the Garden, Maud, I song, Mr. Kissling (encore, “The Carnival”); “The Midshipmite, song, Mr. Blooro (encore, “Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes”); Honey- I moon march, Club Orchestra; “The I Song of Life,” song, Miss Law; “The I Admiral’s Broom,” song, Mr. E. C. Selwyn-Hamlin. . I The Rev. L. Dawson Thomas spoke 'briefly in opening, and asked his I . . il. .1. noATII (X I

hearers to prove that Gisborne people were sociable, and that if anyone was present they did not know, they were to go up , and talk. Tho Rev. H. Williams shortly gave a very interesting account of the his- I tory of the church from June 13th, 1814, up to tho present day. He said it was nearly 100 years since Marsden was led to take an interest in N.Z., hv seeing certain Maoris in Sydney. They were tho finest race of savages he had ever seen, and although Ke had a duty to the convicts in New (South Wales, Ke felt it also a duty to preach the Gospel to'those men in N.Z. ' There were very few Europeans in N.Z. in the early history ofthe church, and the work was purely of a missionary nature. The Church Missionary Society took up the

Work here, and sent out mission-

aries to preach the truth of the gospel. At first, however, the results were very discouraging. In 1826, they were able to say that they had baptised one Maori, but shortly afterwards he died. In September, 1826, the first baptism took place and the beginning of the church in New Zealand began from that date. More and more colonists came and a Governorship was established, and in 1840, the famous treaty of Waitangi was ■signed. Bishop Selwyn came .out in the following year. There was the greatest opposition to allowing the Bishop to come from outside, and he was said to have no business here. Selwyn at once set to work organising the church on the lines which have been followed ever since. In 1856, the diocese of Christchurch was constituted, and now, 50 years later, the jubilee was being celebrated. Selwyn was a great man who attracted men of ' high character to him. To his indefatigable energy, gifted with the most extraordinary foresight, uearly all the church’s privileges were due. In 1857, he called together the first annual Synod. Before the constitution was signed, the diocese of Christchurch was cut up, the northern portion being formed into the diocese of Nelson. One of Selwyn’s personal friends, Bishop Abraham, was appointed to the diocese of Wellington. The first Bishop of Waiapu was consecrated at the Synod of 1859, this being the first consecration in New Zealand. Bishop Neville the present Primate, was the first to hold that title. The question'of letters patent of Bishops,winch exercised the minds •of great legal men at Home and the Colony, was brought to a head with the result that in 1860 the Bishops in New Zealand sent Home a petition. Since that time Netv Zealand bishops have been appointed without reference to England, making this a fully independent church. There were seven bishops with one elected Primate. The title of primate was higher than Archbishop.' Associated with the bishops were a number of the representative clergy and laity and they formed the governing body of the Synod, working together under God’s grace and for His Kingdom. The Rev F; W. ChattertOn was the next speaker, and said a great deal o£ praise was due to the eminent laymen -who seconded Bishop Selwyn when he was drawing up a constitu tion. - Several links had drawn him to New Zealand and the chain grew stronger with the years and he felt how much he. owed. Bishop Selwyn for the splendid example he set to everyone. The laymen as well as the bishops had a hand : n the constitution The laity could prevent anvtl ing becoming law if they wished, rnd a majority of bishops, clergy : and laity was needed in the Synod before anything could be carried.. The Church was absolutely free from State bonds and free to work*out its own destiny, and when the.. constitution was drawn up there were 60 clergy,- now. 'there are • about 300.

Besides that, splendid growth in the Melanesian Islands was. reported and the missionary work was going forward year by year. Although there had been marvellous progress "in the o') years past there could have been more, A lot must be done for the wdiite and Maori churches, but they must not stand still—a lot must be done. Such gatherings as the present gavy a- great impetus iu the work. He urged a forward policy, commending loyalty to Jesus Christ, with the determination to grapple with sociar and other problems as they arise. The clergy arid laity should work side by side, helping to make the church cairy on God’S work more successfully in the future.

Mr. C. A. Do Lautour rose to say a few words with regard to the practical and business side. Ho thought , they would altogether miss the mark of this jubilee if they did not as a parish take a distinct step forward. Five hundred pounds was needed next Sunday. The .vestry half had a meeting, and spontaneously subscrib/ed £IOO, a fifth of the amount required. He believed £2OOO would bo required for a practical start. By careful management the vestry would, be able to show a surplus of £l5O,

which at 5 per cent, represents a capital sum of £3OOO. As a business man, he said, they would have no difficulty whatever to raise the amount. It should be their aim to vitalise and spiritualise the missionary side of the church. They should set aside differences of opinion for speedy accomplishment. . The Rev. Dawson Thomas sought no church, for his own glorification, but the youth of the parish should not" be turned aside week by week. The Rev. L. Dawson Thomas said it was a bad thing to have * a back debt, but extension was necessary. He did not believe in ,the renting pew system. He would like the seats to be absolutely free, but it could not be done at present. He asked for 500 golden sovereigns next Sunday. An excellent supper, supplied by Mr. D. E. Dustin, was served'round, and about half-past 10 the gathering . dispersed. \

I a.m., and special evensong at 7.30 o’clock. There will bo no service thisevening. . ■ • . :l; On Friday evening, at 8 o clock,; 1 there is to bo a lantern entertain- [ mont in Trinity Schoolroom. A. I large number of very valuable and! beautiful slides have been specially forwarded for the purpose. The Rev. I J-I. "VV. Williams, M.A., is to explain tho slides, and will doubtless have many interesting anecdotes of the

early colonial days. There are to be musical items during the evening. Tlio tickets admitting to the entertainment are one l.illing, and extra seating accommerlation in the school is being aI ~ ringed. . The Choral Jubilee Services will lie I held in Trinity Church and also in the suburbs 011 Sunday.; Particulars will lie published later.