ARCHBISHOP JULIUS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1924, Page 4

ARCHBISHOP JULIUS

HIS IWvSIGNA'ITON STATEMENT. , CHRISTCILUItOHj October 22; Archbishop Julius announced to the. Synod of the Christchurch Diocese last night that lie will retire from the l’riim.acy of New Zealand in February next and from the position of Bishop of Christchurch, on April 20, In making this announcement, tho Archbishop said:— , “This diocese pus founded lii 1850. The first bishop, my revered predecessor, was consecrated iii 185 G, imd served among you for thirty-four years. His retirement was followed by my consecration in 1800. For tho same long term of thirty-four years L too have served, daunted by many failures, upheld Tiy many mercies, gaining something from experience, and much more from the ever increasing support I have received from my clergy and people. Perhaps the resignation of office when the infirmities of old ago become manifest, and before they begin to infect the liTe and well-being of the church, is not the least of services which we can render to our Master. With this strong conviction, and with growing fear of injury to my people, I have this day informed the senior bishop of tho province of my intention to resign the primacy oh the last day of the session of General Bynod in February next, and my office as Bishop of Christchurch on April 20. This will allow me to preside once more at a session of General Synod, without delaying the appointment of my successor in the primacy for another three years, and will also give me the privilege and joy of serving as your bishop until after Faster. You will understand that, in taking this step, I feel more than X am able or willing to express. It is better to be silent. I am now seventy-seven years of age; liv date of consecration almost tlie oidest bishop in the Anglican Communion. It is full time that I should give place to a younger man. • “As few of you have had the opportunity of taking part in the election of a bishop, I may perhaps remind yon of want is required to he done. On receiving the consent of the bishops of the province to my resignation, the senior bishop "ill require my eominismissary, the Dean o! Christchurch, to convene a special meeting of synod, for the purpose of electing my successor. Hcic let me say how thankful 1 am that I you will have at your head in this j time of anxiety a man so well loved { and trusted as my dear friend tho dean. Even the Christian religion docs not expect bishops and deans to love 1 one another. ,t will be difficult for J any bishop to find in the Dean of I Christchurch other than a true nml loyal friend. “It seems probable that synod will he convened for special session before the end of the year. Of course, you will pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. May I venture to remind you ' that such a prayer implies absolute submission to the will of God. Somewhere in the world is the-man whom God would choose, but in this world the will of God is often over-i uled by human perversity. If you are prepared to wait upon God, you will find the man that lie has chosen; it you ask God to wait upon you, you may win your choice, and Llie- choice may fall upon Kliab instead ol David. “Although the synod at this session can take no action in regard to the election of a bishop, iL can apd ought without delay to consider such questions as house and stipend. For this purpose you will probably agree to the appointment of a select committee. Bishopsroiirt is now vacant. There seems to lie some change of opinion since we last met as to the wisdom of retaining the whole or some portion of the property as a site for Bishopscoiirt. Of course. T can oiler no opinion. But if Bishops'dilit is to stand on the old site some of tlie land will probably be sold and the house, or a great part of it. mud be it built.’ ('iin' ludiug bis address, the Archbishop said: -‘This is my last address to my own Diocesan Synod. For some few months I may serve as your bishop, and perhaps find opportunity of preparing the way fur my successor. God grant him the joy that I have known in tlm fellowship and I rielids!iip of my brother clergy and others my faithful and devoted helpers in Christ, a joy that has no. failed thiough the years in which the old have given place to the young Mv long episcopate has been a link connecting the curliest days of the province with those in which we live. Not a few of the grave and venerable men, who tilled my soul with unforgolton fears when I gave my first address, had been members of the earliest synods of the church in New Zealand. Of the members of my first synod only two or three remain. M’e, too, shall

soon pass upon our way, and you will he left to lent- and carry forward tho banner of the Cross, and take your prut, with those that shall come after you, in the long struggle for truth and "righteousness which shall have no end untiil that djty \d.ien sin ami death and hell shall lie prostrate at the feet of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

SYNOD’S TRIBUTE. TO ARCHBISHOP JULIUS. CHRISTCHURCH, October 22. Arising out of the coming retirement of Archbishop Julius, it was recommended to the Synod this evening that he he granted a {tension of £7OO per annum, free of income tax, and that the stipend of the new Bishop be .CLIO.) per annum. A preliminary conference to deal with the position created by the resignation will be held to-morrow. The Synod placed on record the following reply to the recent announcement of tlie intended resignation of the President:—“We, members of the Synod of the Diocese of Christchurch, have received with deepest regret the announcement of Your Grace’s impending resignation. For 31 years we

have learned to look to you as our father in God. You have led us in Council, and have ever upheld the honour of the Church by the force of

yottr personality, and with a spiritual influence felt beyond the bounds of our communion. Under your leadership, the effective work of tlie Church in this Diocese has greatly increased, not only in the cure of souls, but in many forward movements for the cause of Christ, which you have promoted, not only as Bishop of Christchurch, hut also as first Archbishop of tho province, of New Zealand. We know that you feel even more deeply than we can tell the severing of so long and close an association, hut since the lapse of time makes it inevitable, wo can but express to Your .Grace’our gratitude for your long labour of love, and olfer an assurance of our constant prayer that God, who has so long sustained you in your work will still uphold you in your well-earned time of rest.” x