HAURAKI PLAINS PARISH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4941, 19 February 1926, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS PARISH.

INSTITUTION OF VICAR. SERVICE BY PRIMATE. The Rev. W. W. Averill, 8.A., successor- to the Rev. J. M. Beaufort a& vicar of the parochial district of H.auraki Plains, was invested with the spiritual part of the benefice, by which tiie care of souls is committed to a clergyman’s charge, by his father, Dr. A. W. Averill, Archbishop a,nd Primate of New Zealand, at Turua on Tuesday evening. •

The institution was conducted in the church before a large assembly. Upon entering the church, preceded by the church wardens and clergy. His Grace explained the purpose of the service, and, as the office and charge to the Brother in Christ was a weighty one—in that he was to be a messenger, watchmazn, and 1 steward of the Lord ; to .teach and to premoinish, to feed and provide for the Lord’s family, and to seek for Christ’s sheep that are scattered" abroad —he called, upon those present to pray that grace be granted him ,to serve faithfully, both in word and deed, and to be a pattern to the flock committed to his keeping. ,

This being done, and the required decalrations having been made, the Archbishop presented the Rev. Averill to the people as ,the clergyman nominated and appointed to the Cure of the parish and called upon the Rev. Dobson to read the Letters of Institution. His Grace then ’presented these and declared l the Rev.- Averill licensed as, vicar of the parish, charging him to be a- fa.ithful minister of God’s Holy Word and Sacraments and a faithful pastor under the great Shepherd of Souls. In the name of- the parish the people’s warden (Mr F. Stephens) received and . acknowledged the new vicar, and in token thereof gaye into his hands the keys of the church and the vicarage, which were duly acknowledged, the vicar promising to be a faithful shepherd over the parishioners'. Addressing the people, the Archbishop charged and exhorted: them to pray continually --for their minister and .assist hiry zealously and lovingly • in all the duties of his holy calling. The hymn “Come, 'Holy Ghost, our souls, inspire” was sung, after which His Grace prayed that the dod of Peace would make the people perfect ,in every good work to do His will, \working in them 1 that, which As,' pleasing to His sight. . , The ‘order of evening prayer ;was - then said, appropriate lessons for the occasion being read by the Rev.. Rob- > ertshaw (61st chapter -of -Isaiah) arid ; the Rev. |Dobson (2nd Corinthians, 4th chapter).

Taking for hits'texti partition of the 35th verse of the 20th chapter of Acts, “Remember- the words of the Lord Jesus,'how he himsef said : It is more blessed to give than to receive,” the Archbishop said one must ask himself the question, “Why am I here ?” The answer was not simply to do good and to get .to heaven; but to glorify. God. We were to remember .that pie were made in the express image of God, and were’ to have high ideals, so that we would progress, and by our lives and actions reinaj n in the express image o£ God. He gave to each one certain gifts, and. He wanted each one to give according to those gifts entrusted ,to him. The gifts to others. shQul'd not be envied, nor, should a person say that if he were like someone else. he>could offer more. God knew the ■ value of each oine, and expected accordingly. He desired each- one-to do his< best. ’

Continuing, His Grace s,aid that he sympathised with the people in the loss-of their late vicar, but he wanted them to feel, that God had them a new vicar,, and one endowed with other gifts. Ea.ch would offer God of those gifts which had been entrusted to him, and-therefore .they should not be criticised. Sin was sin, and-al-ways would be, and to' withhold from God that which He expected from each one was< sin. God required unity, and no people or church would achieve this unless . there was the willingness to work .together and to sink all. non-essentials, for this purpose. There could: not be unity if there was the 'spirit of criticism, so tha.t the clergy and the laity did . not work together. Everyone' should be ready and waiting to do the will of God, and when given their ‘ work, to go forward and do it. It was to be done simply, for there was' nothing more glorious than the grandeur of simplicity. Just a.s a great; painter, poet, or composer conceived in his

mind what, when committed to paper, is an' outward and visible symbol of his soul, so must the work of a!.vicar go through his spul; other,wise he is performing merely a dead mechanical operation. His work< must be an expression of his soul, and if it is so he is giving back to God according to the gifts which he has been given.

Concluding, the Archbishop asked the people to give the new vicar their’ trust and loyalty.

After the service there was, an adjournment to the Turua Buildings, where a social was held.

Replying to the welcome extended, to him by the Rev. Averill on behalf of the parish, the Archbishop said that he was very glad of .the opportunity to take part in the service. He thanked the people for their welcome, and congratulated them on the spirit that had promoted the building of the church and the vicarage. The parish was a young one, and it had done well. He' hoped that the same spirtt would prevail, and, that the work would continue to go forward. The Revs. Dobson, Robertshaw, Charteris, and Brooker alsp thanked the vicar for his invitation to be present. . '

During the evening very enjoyable vocal items were contributed by Mr A. H. Sutton, the Rev. Robertshaw, Mrs F. C. .Robinson, the Rev. W. W. Averill, and the Rev. E. H. Brooker.