A CHURCH CEREMONY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1915, Page 8

A CHURCH CEREMONY.

INDUCTION OF VICAR OF Tfi HENUi. BY BISHOP AVIiRIUL. In matters municipal New Plymouth has recently extended its area, but in matters ecclesiastical the reverse process has been adopted, the districts of Te Hemii and Bell Block being severed from the control of St. Mary's Vestry, and formed into a new parish, the first vicar of which, the Rev. H. A. Favell, was, yesterday evening i formally inducted into office at Holy Trinity Church, Te Hcnui, by the Right Rev, Dr. Averill, Anglican Bishop of Auckland. Both the church and the district attached to the new parish have much interest historically, for the church of Te ITenui was the first church erected in the Xew Plymouth district, and dates back to March 18-15. The sacred building was filled last night and among t:ie congregation were several of the old inhabitants of the district. Amongst the clergy present were: The Ven. Archdeacon Evans, the Revs. Colvile, Fowler, and Cook. ' The Te Ilenui choir was augmented by several members of St. Mary's choir, Miss Matthews presiding at the organ. Appropriate hymns were sung during and'after the service, whicl* followed the prescribed form, the keys to the church being formally handed to its first Vicar, by the people's warden, Mr. 1-1. Johnston.

In the course of a very appropriate address, Bishop Averill explained that a minister was an "under-rower" helper, one who he illustrated his meaning by referring to the duty of those who acted as rowers of boats having to concentrate their attention on the stroke oar, and not be looking around. The first duty of a minister must therefore be to keep his eyes on hi" , stroke oar —Christ—and not on the people, and he urged the congregation of the new district to remember that their vicar in carrying out bis first dutv needed their prayers and co-operation. A minister must also be a faithful steward—one wdlp lias management, a dispenser, a stpward of the mysteries of God, to minister grace, and to proclaim God's truth as revealed by Christ and as taught by the Church. The Bishop remarked that there were plenty of people ready to criticise the clergy, but how many were there ready to pray for them? He characterised the relationship between parish priest and the parishioners as one of the most beautiful and touching in the world, and he urged that clergy and layity should work together ' harmoniously, each member doing ills bit of work, for only by such means could the church be in a healthy state.. He felt it a great joy and privilege to institute the first vicar of Te Henui and Bell Block, where .in the past men had labored well and faithfully. The past history of that church should be an inspiration to the people to go forward, and help one another by doing all they possibly could for the church. The concluding portion of the service ■ was devoted to intercessionary prayers in relation to the war and those serving therein.