BISHOP OF AUCKLAND

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4431, 23 June 1922, Page 2

BISHOP OF AUCKLAND

VISIT TO THIS DISTRICT. His Lordship the Bishop of Auckland, Dr. A. W. Averill, paid' a pastoral visit to this part of his Diocese this week, arriving in Paeroa at 10.30 on Wednesday morning, and administering the Sacramental Rite of Confirmation to ten candidates in St. Paul’s Church at 11 a.m. The church was filled with a reverent and devout congregation, and the service was most impressive. The Bishop in his firs] address to the candidates before their confirmation took for his text the parable of the Sower, Impressing upon them that although the Holy Spirit will most unquestionably be given to them in the laying on of hands, the application pf the grace thus given to themselves and their" own lives depended entirely upon their own cooperation with the Will of God. The address after the Rite had been administered was frpm the words, "Friend, go up higher,” and the lesson emphasised l was that stagnation meant death to the spiritual life ; the Christian must constantly be moving from strength to strength and going higher and still higher in his earthly pilgrimage. After the evening address His, Lordship was entertained to supper by the parishioners in the Parish Hall. The Rev. Dobson gave an outline what the parish had accomplished during the past year, and also what was proposed to be done in the near future. He particularly praised the Ladies’ Guild for the splendid work done durnig the past year. A canvass had been made with' the object of buiding a new church, and about £7OO had been promised. The present church had, however, become so "leaky” that a new roof was necessary, and this had been recently done. With reference to the work of f.eroofing the church Mr. W. J. Towers said that the cost was over £BO. So far he had received £4O odd, and lie asked the parishioners to be prepare! to subscribe liberally when he called on them. His Lordship congratulated the congregation on its progressive showing, hut said that although they had done a good deal far more work was necessary. He pointed to the great, work that was awaiting on the Plains and asked for help to be given to establish churches there. Dr. Averill paid a visit to the Plains yesterday. Accompanied by the Rev. F. B. Dobson, vicar of Paeroa, the Bishop held service at Netherton at 11 a.m. .Ngatea at 2.30 p.j»-, and at Turua at 7i30 p.m. At each place the services were well attended. At Turua the Bishop was the guest of Mrs. Bell.