CONFIRMATION SERVICE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2066, 11 December 1919, Page 3

CONFIRMATION SERVICE.

There was a large congregation at All Saints’ Church last night. The occasion was the visit of the Bishop of the Diocese, Bishop Sprott, to administer the rite of Confirmation to twenty-two candidates —eleven lads and eleven girls. It was a most impressive sight, and the Bishop gave an interesting and helpful address, not for the candidates only, but for all present. The Bishop based his address on Thus 2 eh., 11th and 121 h verses: “For the • Grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world,”

In the course of his address, the Bishop explained first of all the meaning - of the “Grace of God,” and then proceeded to deal with the kind of life faith demands in this present world. The words, “Grace of God” mean the love of God, and that, love of a special kind or degree'. This was illustrated by pointing out that (lie love of God exceeds the love of a friend towards a friend, for it stands for a wide, generous love to (hose who are unworthy of being loved. God’s love is like the precious sunshine which shines on the unworthy as well as _ the good, and this love is revealed by the litc of Jesus Christ, which diffused a holy love, seeking the highest wellbeing of all people. To prove ourselves worthv of such a love, we should live our lives soberly, in the New Testament the meaning of this word is all round, complete self-control. Ho showed how complex our nature is. Each part is seeking its own satisfaction. Thus, unless guided and controlled, life ends in anarchy. But to live soberly means that conscience and reason must rule, guiding and controlling every part of life. This is life’s 'foundation duly. Bid life brings us into many other relationships, suck as family, neighbourly, and even wider ones. In all of which we have a duty and responsibility. Thus duty demanded we should live righteously. He explained that the world is as il is to-day because nations have not lived, and are not living, righteously. And the burden was on the young people of to-day to work for a better world. If each is living righteously, all would fulfil this duty to one another, and when all are performing life’s duly to one another each would receive his rigid. Rigid, and duty are different sides of the same thing. Fulfilling duly is the only way lo save the world, and life must be jived with a relationship towards God, which is the deepest and most enduring relationship of all. in explaining (his, the preacher showed how the word “instructing” meant lo leach no! by'words only, but hv deeds. All life is a schooling, lo (rain each for the fulfilling of duties so that Hie world might be brought back to God.’ it was a memorable service, and will not soon be forgotten. The candidates were; —Madge Agues Ellen Admore, Katherine Alary Fullerton Williams, Mavis Shaw, Dorothy Fionia Spring, Nathalie Matariki Spring, Eileen Alice Irving - ,. Rena Hawes Barber, Kathleen Mavis Coley, Ynes Glassou Easlou, Gwyneth Reader, Olivo .May Procter, Cecil Ernest Anthony Francis, Roy Alexander Burnette, Cecil Shaw, John Goodridge Lash, Kenneth Vale Robinson, Stanley Ernest Thompson, Henry Burr, William Stuart Beauchamp Christie, Arthur Colin Easson Green, Edward Arthur Fuller, Reginald Dundas Lawton. The service was conducted by the vicar of the parish the Rev. W. Raine.