ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1918, Page 6

ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

J ' VISIT OF BISHOP AVERILL. i " " ... . -- 1 - I ORDINATION OF REV. A. H. I I&BNETT, The Bishop of Auckland (the- Right Rev. Dr. Averill) held ah ordination service at St. Mary's' Church, Plymouth, yesterday morning, when the Rev. A. H. Barnett was ordained to--the priesthood. The candidate'was presented by the Veil. Archdeacon Evans, and received tho church's admonition, and answered the prescribed questions as put to him by the Bishop. The Rev H. A. Favell, vicar of Holy Trinity, Te Etenui, acted as Bishop's,chaplain. The Litany was sung by the vicar of St. Mary's (Rev. F. G.-Haryie), arid there were also present Rev. EV H. Strong, MA., chaplain of King's College, Auckland, Rev. E. L. Harvie, -vicar of Inglewood, and the Rev. N. BafMtt, vicar of Patea, all of whom joined' in the laying on of hands. The musical portion of the service, which made a somewhat heavy demand, upon the choir, was sung, in a reverent and aeyptional manner. The sermon, which was preached by the Rev. E. H. Strong, was based on St. John, chap- xx., verses .21 and.,22. The preacher dealt with the meaning of the ordination service, and showed, from Hie Ordinal, the historic continuity of the ministry. He emphasised its spiritual character, and concluded with a few Words of counsel arid encouragement to the candidate for ordinationChoral communion was celebrated by the Bishop at the conclusion of the ordination, and there were a large number of communicants. ■■-■•■ CONFIRMATION" SERVICES, "

In the afternoon the Bishop confirmed 36 young people, presented by the vicar, in St Mary's Church, in the presence of a large congregation, He gave two very impressive addresses appropriate to the occasion. At night the Bishop held a. confirmation service at Te Henui. There was a very large congregation, and the vicar presented 15 candidates for the vit'e. The second of the two addresses delivered by the bishop was based on the text, "He that is not with me is against me," the candidates being advised to take this text as their confirmation motto. These words, said Dr. Averill, were the words of Jesus, and as they had enlisted under the banner of Jesus His words were binding upon them.. The words meant that there could be no neutrality in Christian life. In the great struggle which had just taken place in the world Germany had renounced the Christian religion and had created a religion of her own, in which hate had a principal place, and in which no love or pity could be found. The bishop thought there could be no neutrality in such a striving for justice, righteousness and peace among men, except from motives of fear or greed. No nation that realised the nature of the conflict could afford to be neutral. So, in the Christian life we must be one thing or the other., "He that is not with me is against me." That religion was positive, and not negative only. It was not sufficient to refrain from doing wrong; we were bound to help and strengthen those with whom we came in contact. As Christian people we must manifest to others the spirit of love, kindness, and mercy. The gift of the Divine Spirit was to equip us for our life as followers of Jesus. Our Lord's coming into the world was a great challenge. He threw down a challenge to the world of those days.. He challenged their ideas (1) of God, (2) of religion, (3) of life, and (4) of righteousness. The service throughout was of a hearty congregational nature, the singing being a special feature.