THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1922, Page 5

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

■NEW PRIMATE ELECTED. TRIBUTE TO BISHOP JULIUS. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS QUESTION. By Telegraph..—Press Association. Auckland, Laet Night. The General Synod opened to-day. The acting-Primate, Bishop Juliue, in his presidential address, referred to the subject of church union, saying the chief apparent difficulty was that of episcopal orders. It was obvious many churches would unite without conditions, but he was convinced that whether episcopal orders were essential or not the unity of Christendom demanded a ministry acknowledging every part of the church. Dealing with the question of the Bible in schools, Bishop Julius said: “It is a real pain to me that, I cannot agree with my brethren of other churches, nor with those of my own community who will support them. lam prepared to grant that the use of a Scripture text book with a recital of the Lord’s Prayer, will be an advance upon the present system, sufficient perhaps to salve national conscience and blbek the way to any genuine means of religious instruction. If that is all the churches want they are certainly content with very little, but the temper of the people is changing. Religious instruction will be given and given effectively; the people themselves will demand it.” The appointment of officers resulted: Clerical secretary. Archdeacon A. M. Johnson; lay secretary, Mr. C. W. Pitta Brown; chairman of committee, Mr. C. J. Tunks; deputy chairman, Mr. G. Shirtcliffe; clerk of committee, Mr. H. M. Bannehr

Bishop Julius was unanimously elected Primate. When the preliminaries in connection with the constitution of the synod were completed the seven bishops retired to select one of their number for nomination to the Clergy and laity, and unanimously selected Bishop Julius. The nomination was submitted to the clergy and laity, who assembled in different room?, and were provided with voting papers. It transpired that the vote was unanimous. Bishop Averill, as senior bishop, congratulated Bishop Julius on his elevation, and said the unanimity in which the election was made was proof of the confidence of the whole church in him. He mentioned that Biahop Julius was the thirteenth bishop according to consecration in the whole Anglican community. He thought the church T-should fall in to line with other communities and call their Primate archbishop. Dean Fitchett (Dunedin), on behalf of the clergy, and Mr. C. A. Delatour (Gisborne), on behalf of the laity, congratulated the church, the province and Bishop Jul his.

<f My brethren of the clergy and laity,” said. Bishop Julius in reply, speaking with some emotion, “I do not find it very easy to speak. You can understand that after 32 years’ connection with the province of New Zealand I feel very deeply, not only the confidence you have shown, but the kindly, sympathetic and hearty way in which you have done it.” It was a cheer to an old man. conscious of mistakes and shortcomings, to know he possessed something of their love, esteem and confidence. These were times when one felt the church wanted leadership, strength and youth and all he could bring was love of the church and devotion to their cause.