INDUCTION SERVICE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5028, 17 September 1926, Page 2

INDUCTION SERVICE.

INSTITUTION AT ST. PAUL’S.

WELCOME TO REV. R. A. FORDE

Since the beginning of May last the parish of St. Paul’s Church, Paeroa, has been without the services of a resident vicar, consequent upon the retirement of the Rev. F. B. Dobson. During the interregnum the work of the parish has been steadfastly maintained by licensed lay-readers and the assistance of clergymen froim adjacent parishes. A new order of things will prevail in the future.» and once again St. Paul’s parish will have a resident vicar. The long-looked-for arrival of the Rev. R. A. Forde, 8.D., and his wife and two children eveytuajed on Tuesday and last night the formal induction service wa,s held at St. Paul’s Church. The institution of the new vicar was carried out by the Ven. Archdeacon E’. M. Cowie, M.A., of the bishopric of Waikato, to which SeO the Paeroa parish is now a part. The church was packed, and many people were able to find standing robm only.

The Ar chdeacon and the new vicar, together with the Revs. N. Robertshaw (Thames), W. Averill (Hauraki Plains), Kempthorne (Morrtasville), and Connolly (Te Aroha), were met at the front door of the church by Dr. G. T. Smith, and Messrs. W. H. Blakeway, C. E. Gwilliam, E. J. Smith (Puriri), and W. H. T. Jones (Kopu), layreaders, and the church wardens and vestrymen, and were led by thejn to the Chancel during the singing of a processional hymn. The Office for the institution of a vicar was then solemnly proceeded with. After prayers, Rev. Forde was called upon to make the required declarations before the congregation. The Letters of Institution were redd by the Archdeacon, after which the keys of the church were delivered to the vicar by Mr R. J. Thorp, people’s warden. The new vicar received the keys as pledges of his institution, and of recognition, find solemnly promised to be a faithful shepherd over the congregation. At .the conclusion of the induction service Evensong was said, the lessons being read by the Rev. Kempthorne and Dr- Smith. The Veh. Archdeacon Cowie preached the sermon, choosing for his text the 26th verse of the 18th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John. THE CONVERSAZIONE.

After the conclusion of the services the congregation adjourned, to the Parish a conversazione was held and ah opportunity given parishioners to Tormajly meet the Rev. Forde and Mrs Forde. After a delicious supper had’ been partaken of Mr W. H. Blakeway, oh behalf of the parishioners, extended a hearty welcome to the vicar and his wife, and expressed the hope that they would be happy in their new surroundings. The speaker also welcomed the Rqv. J._ Lowden (Presbyterian) and the Rtev. Pickering (Methodist). He paid a special tribute of thanks to the vicars ot adjacent parishes and to the lay-readers who had assisted with the ministrations of the parish during the time that there had been no resident vicar. The. Ven. Archdeacon Cowie conveyed a, hearty welcome to the vicar on behalf of the Waikato dioteese. He said that the parishioners; of-Paeroa we,re to be complimented upon the way the ministrations, of the parish had been maintained, and he trusted that loyal support, forbearance, and cd-operation would be accorded the. new vicar. Continuing thei Archdeacon said that the local Jay-readers had performed remarkable service for the Church, and the way the congregation had stuck together was indeed creditable. It had been a severe and it was a matter for congratulation the steadfast manner in which the work of the church had been maintained. The speaker said that in the /whole of his career he hafl never known of a heartier or more loving welcome accorded a new vicar, and the proceedings that evening augured well for the Future happiness and welfare of the parish. Grateful thanks were due to the vicarsi of adjacent parishes, for the assistance given the lay-readers, whose work and enthusiasm could not be too highly commended.

The Mayor of Paeroa (Mr W. Marshall) also extended a hearty welcome to the Rev. Forde on behalf of the citizens of the town. The Mayor expressed the hope that the vicar’s work’ would be blessed, and that the community would be blessed by an additional spiritual uplift. •On behalf of the Auckland diocese the Rev. N. Robertshaw also extended a hearty welcome, and said that he looked forward to frequently meeting the Re>v. Forde in furthering the work of the Church. The Rev. Forde,- in returning thanks, said he could not .adeytiuately express his heartfelt thanks for the wonderful welcome that he had received since arriving at Paeroa. Telegrams and letters of welcome had beeen received on the Aotr.angi as she steamed up the beautiful Waitemata Harbour, and as he travelled nearer to their new home the warmness of the welcome had increased. The vicar said that he looked forward with pleasurable anticipation th working in the parish, and getting to know thq parishioners more intimately. He and his family had indeed come a long way, and he trusted that as, time wore on the heartiness Of the welcome would be duly acknowledged by his work and ministry. Cheers for the vicar, the archdea.con, visiting vicars, and the layrqaders were lustily given,, and the proceeding t®rmina.ted with the sing-, ing of "For They are Jolly Good Fellows” and the National, Anthem.