THE LAY READER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2355, 23 November 1908, Page 2

THE LAY READER.

AV ANTED— SUITABLE SER AION S

In the October issue of a Church magazine entitled “The Lay R “ der°” (savs the London correspondent of the “Evening Post ) I nve come across an article by the -Right Rev. the Bishop of Auckland, t'ho gives an interesting precis oT the voik of Lay Readers in New Zealand genera ly, and of those in the Auckland dio cese particularly. He mentions that nearly all are voluntary workers-a fact in which they take pride. At the outset the Bishop remarks: •‘I may begin by stating the fact that were it not for the willing, and devoted discharge of their priesthood bv the men who act as Lay Readers, the spiritual problems of a. new country would be far more difficult even than thev are. The Lay Reader in New Zealand is not seldom a missionary and a pastor among his fellow settiers.” Viter having described the ordinary procedure relative to the licensing of a Lav Reader, Bishop Neligan observes: “The Lay Readers m New Zealand are entitled to wear a tippet when ministering in their office. (I wish our tippet were a little less hideous and unbecoming!) It has occurred to many of our Lay Readers that it would be a good tbing.it allthrough the Anglican Communion the same sort of badge, in general, were to be adopted by Lay Readers m their public ministrations. It is worth considering whether or not some sort! of uniformity might not bo attained in this matter. I know that our Auckland Readers would gladly co-operate with their brother Readers throughout our communion in thinking this matter out.” Turning to a great want, Bishop Neligan writes: “Probably, one of the great difficulties we find in a new country is lack of books of suitable sermons. Of books there is no end. Of suitable sermons there is a speedy end. As a matter of practice what generally happens is—the Lay Reader adapts a printed sermon to the requirements of his district. This is a necessity. In Auckland the Readers understand that if a man feels moved to tell the people to ‘come hither and hearken and I will toll you what the Lord hath done for my soul,’ he may give the message as taught t'o him by the Holy Spirit, even though •his license is not that of a preacher. In my experience I have never found this privilege productive of anything but good all round. I have never known it to be abused. I sometimes could wish that it were more frequently taken advantage of.” Dealing with another phase, the Bishop of Auckland, notes: “Our Readers in New Zoaland lare almost entirely voluntary. There is a grand spirit, in this particular, among our laity. AVo number among our Readers ‘farmers, mechanics, commercial and professional men, men of every condition. Nearly all are voluntary workers, .and take a right pride of the fact. This has always struck me as one of the glories of the Church in Now Zealand. ‘Some devout Churchmen in New Zealand think that a Lay Reader might conveniently he permitted to he the minister for the solemnisation of matrimony. There is a good deal to bo said in favor of the proposal in a young country. The subject is worth consideration, .and in its report the Lambeth Conference Committee on Alarriage has cleared some of the ground for the subject to be reasonably considered,” In conclusion, Bishop Neligan wants to say this : “From the bottom of my heart I thank God ‘for tallowing me to claim as brother priests in the Church of God the Lay Readers of New Zealand. Alay He bless them and all their brother Readers throughout our world-wide communion!”