THE BISHOP’S VISIT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4574, 13 June 1923, Page 2

THE BISHOP’S VISIT.

SPECIAL SERVICES AT ST. PAUL’S. The annual visit of His Lordship, the Anglican Bishop of Auckland (Dr. A. W. Averill), took place on Monday, and special services were held at St. Paul’s Church. At the 11 o’clock morning service a celebration of the Holy Eucharist was held. At 12.30 p.m. His Lordship met the men belonging to the Church, and a conference was held in the Parish Hall. There was a good attendance, including the vicars of Morrinsville, To Aroha, and Waihi. Many matters affecting the welfare of the parish were discussed. His Lordship also dealt with the coming of the Hickson Mission to New Zealand in October next.

At 730 in the evening evensong was sung, and His Lordship again preache fl a sermon to a. crowded congregation. At the conclusion of the service members of the congregation were hospitably entertained to a delicious supper, provided by the Ladies’ Guild, in the Parish Hall, and an hour was pleasantly spent.

The vicar (the Rev. F. B. Dobson) in a happy speech referred to the strenuous three days His Lordship had spent on the Hauraki Plains, and gave a. brief resume" of the work that had been carried out during the visit. The vicar welcomed the Rev. R. Morgan (Presbyterian),, and the Rev.A. E. Jefferson (Methodist), and also the other visitors who were present to pay their respects to the Bishop. An apology for unavoidable absence was received from His Worship the Mayor. His Lordship took the epportunity of publicly thanking the large gathering for the very cordial welcome that had ’ been accorded him. Regarding the matters affecting the parish, His Lordship said that after his recent visit, to the Hauraki Plains he felt more convinced that that district was destined to be a big and live part of his diocese. He was of the opinion that the time was ripe when the Plains should be a separate parish. 'The area was too great and the distance t,oo far to allow of it being adequately administered from Paeroa. He therefore proposed to establish a vicar permanently on the Plains in the near future. It would then be encumbent on the Anglicans of Pae • roa to rally and support their own church and vicar, as they would not have the Plains to fall back on for support, The Bishop said that he was pleased with the work that had been carried out in the parish since his previous visit. He trusted that, the church members would stand together and serve itheir church loyally and faithfully. After refreshments were served and the National Anthem sung the gathering dispersed. VISIT TO TURUA. DEDICATION OF CHURCH Despite the inclement wcalther on last was a large gathering of Anglicans at .Turua from all parts of the Hauraki Plains, the occasionbeing the dedication by His Lordship the Bishop of Auckland ( Dr..A. W. Averill) of the first Anglican church pn the Plains. The service began with the hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation,” after which the vicar requested the Bishop, on behalf of the people of the district/" to dedicate this church to the honour and glory of God, and under the name of the Holy Trinity. The Bishop,, expressing his willingness to do so, proceeded with the solemn and impressive, service of dedication. The hymn, “We Love the Place, O God,’’ was then sung, followed by a shortened evensong , said by the vicar of Thames, the Rev. H. Paraone reading the lesson. The hymn “Pleasant are Thy Courts above” was then sung, after which the Bishop preached an eloquent and impressive sermon from the opening, verses of Psalm 132 (pray book version), “Lord Remember JDavid, etc.” The Bishop said: “It was hot given to everyone to take part in the dedication of.a Church as well as in the erection. The psalm was generally accepted as one composed at the time of the dedication of the Temple. David had desired to build a house to the-Glory of God, but that had not been granted to him. He had thought of it and prepared fpr ( it, and at the dedication he was not forgotten, so with the dedication of this House of God many had long desired it, many had prayed for it, but it was not granted them to see it; we do well to remember them.” The Blshpp congratulated the people on the attainment of their desire, and urged them to go on, to remember what .the church stood for in their midst, and to be true to the high ideals and teaching of their. Church. This was God’s house, and as He had accepted the Temple at Solomon’s great dedication service, so truly had He accepted their opening that day, and tn accepting the dedication pf ths Temple He had said : “I have hallowed this House, which thou hast built to put My name here for ever, and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually.” And it was true of this little church—“l have hallowed this House, and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually.” The Bishop urged them to use their church; it was easy to say “We can worship God anywhere.” So we can, said the Bishop, but most people who talked in that strain were only begging the question. Our Lord during His earthly life had honoured His Father’s House : “He went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath Day as was His custom. Cultivate that spirit; the chur.ch was dedicated in the name of the Holy Trinity. Honour God by your regular attendance, and may God’s blessing rest on this church and all whq worship here.” The hymn “Praise my God, the King of Heaven” was then sung, the offertory being taken up during the singing of the hymn. The Bishop pronounced the benediction, thus closing a most Impressive service, and one that will live in the minds of those who were privileged to be present.

The clergy present were: The Right Reverend the Bishop,, the vicar of the district, the Rev. E. B, Oobson ; the

vicar of Thames, the Rev. A. J. Beck, who' acted as Bishop’s chaplain ; and the Rev. H. Paraone. The church is a very handsome building, 30ft by 20ft inside measurement, and both inside and out look very well indeed. It was designed by Mr E. E. Gillman, architect, of Paeroa, and i.he builders were Messrs Markham and Belvie, and it hits seating accommodation for about 90 worshippers. The Bishop,, at the close of his sermon, heartily congratulated all concerned on the result, of their work. A word of praise is due to the ladies for the kind hospitality extended to the visitors.