THE BISHOP OF WAIAPU.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2759, 14 March 1910, Page 5

THE BISHOP OF WAIAPU.

SERMON AT THE GARRISON HALL

The largest congregation ever seen in Gisborne assembled at the Garrison Hall last night, avliere the evening service of Holy Trinity Church was held. Abundant seating accommodation had been provided, but it proved quite inadequate for the large concourse of people, and some 120 persons. were compelled to stand throughout the service. It is estimated that between 1700 and 1800 people were present. The altar was erected on a raised dais in- front of the stage. The prayers were entonecl by the Vicar, the Rev. L. Dawson Thomas, and the Rev. H. H. Hamilton. The lessons were read by the Ven. Archdeacon Williams and the Rev. F. W. Chatterton. The Revs Pine Tamahori and 11. Knraka also had seats on the platform. The singing, which included such well-known •hymns as “All People that on Earth Do Dwell,” “Rock of Ages,” “Nearer My God to Thee,” “Fight the Good Fight,” and) “Abide with Me,” was led by a strong choir, while Mr E. N. Sidebottom. was the organist. The Right Reverend Bishop Averill preached the sermon, taking as his text St. John vi., 9: “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and fivo small fishes; but what are they among so many?” Tire possibility of feeding 5000 people with five barley loaves no doubt his Lordship said, appeared a hopeless task, hut when the Apostles asked the question, “What are they among so many?” they forgot the power of God. Was it net, .lie asked, because we in our day forgot the power of God that we failed to accomplish much that we could perform? For the past 30 years, he (the Bishop) had been chaplain to a hospital, and in the course of lvis duties had come in contact with men .and women of all sorts and conditions. In all his experience he had found that behind all their hostility to the CQuirchi, there lay a. vein of pure gold mixed up in the quartz of human nature. God had l put us here to help otue another. Deep planted in the human heart 'was a< real belief in God, a real sense of right and wrong. While there existed an aversion to cant, sham, and humbug, there was also admiration, for truth, honesty, and self-sacrifice. Wliile he did' not condone neglect of the Church, he considered that churchmen should examine themselves. He felt inclined to ask the question: “What am I, amd why am I here?” While there was felt within something akin to the animal, every man knew that he had within him something that could not be accounted for by the laws of Nature—something in common with nature, but something beyond and above. A mam in Christchurch some time back had been preaching the doctrine of annihilation. He felt ill, and on his death-bed was visited by a good woman, who asked him if he still believed in annihilation, and his reply had been, “I should like to believe in annihilation.” Just before leaving Christchurch he (the Bishop) had laid to rest the mortal remains of an old friend of his, who had for some years been secretary of the Free Thought Association, and. who had assured him during his last hours that all the while he had been teaching free thought he had felt that he was wrong. Another man had. knocked at his door early one morning and had told him that a sermon of liis had turned him from atheism, and that he knew now that he was not am agnostic. The special sermon had contained a reference to Darwin’s dying regrets. Darwin had fallen out- of touch with higher things, and, like many other men who tocusSed their whole attention on one subject, had neglected the higher part of his nature. It must not be understood, said the preacher, that he was opposed to evolution; he believed the Bible supported evolution. “I know instinctively,” said his Lordship, “that, there is something in me higher and above.” He believed with C-icero, who had said that there yet had been found a nation of atheists. What was man but a thought of God, and all this mysterious life of ours was but to reflect- the thought of God. There was need to'clevelop the whole man. If we developed our bodies only, we would simply become deformities. W e must not neglect the higher nature which kept us in touch with t'he God above. He would also ask the question, “What qjm I here for?” Were we here to learn how to die? No: we were here to learn haw to live. An aimless life tempted the Devil, and we should set a high ideal before us and live up to it. What had helped him most had been the life of his own mother. They should remember that actions spoke louder than words. If we wanted to develop the best part, of our nature, we should come face to face with God. What the ,world wanted was to get back to Christ. “What is Christianity ” asked the speaker; “Christianity is devotion to tli-e low at Jesus Of wist; and we can all do something to help a brother. Don’t, for God’s sake, merely talk platitudes.” Many people, lie continued, thought Christianity was the Bible. Christianity, was not' the Bible, neither was Christianity saving our own souls. Christianity was a life of duty, a life of service, a life of devotion. Christ’s great purpose. had been to bring us to a knowledge of Oiir Father. Directly we felt the grip of Christ we wanted to get back to the old l (home and hack to God. Three-quarters of ouir difficulties are oonln acted.. with the love of God. “How can I (believe in the love of God,” he was often asked, “when I see so much misery and despair in Iho world?” Christ bad said, “I and the Father are One.” Seventeen years ago. a friend of his had lost- a child, jusf as tile speaker was leaving England. He had written to him, and all that the letter contained was: “God is good, and God is love. You: do not understand now, but will one time.” He had since had a> letter front that man telling him that he now understood the love of God. The purpose of Christ fwas that we should realise that God was Our Father, and that we should be .trained together as God’s children. The Church wa,s not a show room. The Church should be a hospital in which to cure the sick ; a school in .which to. teach; a refectory in which could bo secured meet and wholesome food. But .instead there was disunion• want, of love, want of charity, and selfishness. The parsons are not the Church,” declared the speaker; “you are the Church.” Just as Christ could take those five loaves and feed the multitude, so wo each could do wonders to strengthen the Church. What was wanted was a: healthy Christian public opinion. No power was ,so strong as public opinion. Gad had given us a spiritual nature-to help one another. “Don’t you know of someon e ? ” t-lio proa eh er asked, “to wh o m you can go and bring .into the spiritual warmth cif the Church.” Sometimes those whom we consider the off-scour-ing of society are not so bad a.s we think them.' They should remember that Christ saw -something in publicans, sinners, and harlots. “Do try, before God calls you hence,” said Ins Lordship, “to save one soul.” They would find that by trying to draw tlie

best out of someone else they would be bringing out the best that was in themselves.

VISIT TO WAERENGA-A-IHKA

The. Right Rev. Bishop Averill visited the Native College at Waerenga-a-hika on Saturday. His Lordship, accompanied by Archdeacon H. Williams (chairman Of the trustees) and Mrs Yvilliams, were entertained at lunch by the Principal and Mrs. Butterfield, and subsequently, after inspecting the grounds and the school premises, addressed the students, pointing out the advantages to be derived by the Maoris from a knowledge of work in general and agriculture in particular. His Lordship remarked upon the neat and healthy appearance of the boys and their splendid physique. After the inspection the boys, led by Mr. W. Too math, gave three hearty cheers for the Bishop. During the afternoon Mrs. 'Butterfield held an “At Home.” About 70 guests from various parts of the country districts attended, and were introduced to His Lordship. The Revs. A. H. Coles, M.A., of Patutahi, and the Rev. W. H. Roberts, of Te Karaka, and several prominent Churchmen were present, as well as a large number of ladies Many of the visitors took the opportunity to inspect the horticultural and agricultural work done by the boys, and to admire the grand old historical trees and other things of interest conneoed with the very early days when, the old college, under the principalship of two of Bishop Averill’s predecessors, was the centre of church life and of education for the whole district. COMMUNION SERVICE. At 8 o’clock yesterday morning His Lordship was the celebrant at Holy Trinity Church. He was assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon Williams, the Rev. F. ,W. Chatterton, and the Vicar of Holy Trinity, the Rev. L. Dawson Thomas. There was _ the largest attendance of communicants ever seen in the Church. VISIT TO PATUTAHI. Yesterday afternoon His Lori ship motored out to Patutahi and preached at St. George’s Church. There was alarge congregation, and a- strong choir. VISIT TO THE COAST. The Bishop leaves for Waihau this morning, and will proceed on a tlireeweeks’ tour of the East Coast. On his return to Gisborne, early next month, it is his intention to address a mass meeting of church people.