INSTITUTION OF VICAR.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 162, 8 December 1919, Page 3

INSTITUTION OF VICAR.

At the Anglican Chui’ch. An event in the history of Matamata took place in the Anglican Church, Matamata, on - Friday evening, when the Rev. * W. E. Connolly, of Hikurangi, was instituted as the first vicar of th 6 newly-formed parish of h \ Matamata. J ’ When the service commenced all the available seating accommodation in the beautiful church was taken up. The service was conducted by the Ven. Arch- ■ deacon E. M. Cowie, of Hamilton, and he was assisted by the Revs. C- Mortimer Jones, of Cambridge, . G. K. Moir, of Morrinsville, and «% R. L. Connolly, of Te Aroha. The archdeacon and clergy were met at the principal door of the church by the churchwardens " and vestrymen, and as the processional hymn was sung they were led into the chancel. The archdeacon stood before the Holy Table, the vicr.r-elect kneeling in front of him, the church- } wardens and vestrymen standing on either side. The office for the institution of a vicar was then carried out hv the archdeacon. The required declarations and ■ letters of institution were read, and the people’s churchwarden handed the now vicar the keys ot the church as the people’s recognition of his installation. The order of institution was followed by the order for evening prayer, special psalms and lessons being read and hymns sung. In a brief address the archdeacon congratulated the people on their growing town, and described their church as one of the most beautiful in the archdeaconry. He referred to the important step that had been taken that night, and reminded his hearers of their added responsibility. The speaker advised them to take an interest in Missions, because he said the life of a church de- ■ upon its missionary spirit. The archdeacon quoted from a war chaplain’s book, and said the only thing besides war that could bring out the finest traits in man’s character—heroism, self-sacrifice and utter self-commital —was the ' truly Christian life. Christians, he\ added, should not be people with bowed heads, but people * #th set teeth and the fighting spirit. It was of no use recognising an evil qpd saying it was bad. '> It was better to fight and vanSj|, quish the evil. The keynote of success in this world, concluded the archdeacon, was loyalty to • Christ. Several hymns interspersed the service, the accompaniments being played by Mr P. C. Ingham. .0 At the conclusion of the serf vice, the people adjourned to the hall, where the ladies had arranged a social. The new vicar was introduced to many of his * parishioners, and a pleasant time i was spent