Waiapu Church Gazette 1938

The Waiapu Church Gazette.

Vol. 28, No. 11.   NAPIER, JANUARY 1ST, 1938   Price 3d, or 3s per annum
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Photo caption –
HERBERT WILLIAM WILLIAMS
Sixth Bishop of Waiapu
1930-1937

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The Waiapu Church Gazette

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EDITORIAL.

The Diocese begins the New Year under the shadow of a great loss. We have hardly begun to think about the future yet, our hearts are filled with the memory of the friend and bishop who has gone. Save for a few years in England, Herbert Williams spent his whole life from infancy to death in this Diocese. As teacher, superintendent of Maori work, Archdeacon and finally as bishop he was known in and knew every corner of it. Though many knew that his health was failing the end came with dramatic suddenness on December 6th. when he was actually presiding over a meeting of the Board of Nomination. The funeral on the 8th. was attended by the Archbishop, the Bishop of Wellington and nearly every clergyman of the Diocese besides some from outside, and a very large number of the laity. The first part of the service was in St. John’s and then the body was taken to the Napier cemetery and buried near the graves of his grandfather and father, the first and third Bishop of Waiapu. To his widow and family we all give our keenest sympathy in their loss, which is greater than ours.

SOME APPRECIATIONS

Some of the leading clergy and laity of the Diocese have contributed the following short articles. As some of the writers do not wish their names published, it seems better to omit them all.

A. – With the passing of the Right Reverend Herbert William Williams, Bishop of Waiapu, the Church of the Province of New Zealand has lost a two-fold link with the past. Seventy-seven years of age, he came of a very great tradition. His grandfather and his father before him had been Bishops of this Diocese, and he had well lived up to the great example his forbears had set him. He was, to many of us, the last survivor of that great band of the servants of God who dwelt with our Maori brethren as teachers and as friends. Like his lineal predecessors, he had a greater knowledge of the Maori language than the Maori leaders themselves. Mutual love and respect marked the daily intercourse between him and his flock.

That aspect of his life alone would have earned for him the affection and respect of the whole body of the Church but there was another side to his character which called for the admiration of many.

He was, to many of us, the sole survivor of the great classical schools. Born in one of the farthest and youngest of the Colonies he began his education in Christ’s College, Christchurch, the best known of the New Zealand Church of England schools. Brought up amongst the Maoris of Poverty Bay, his scholastic record, taken from his old school list, is one of which his family and his old school must be very very proud. It is a record which would be hard to surpass.

Christ’s College 1874-1878. Head of the school; senior Somes Scholar 1876; football XV. 1877-78 (captain 1878); Senior University Scholar, 1878; Buller and Reay Scholar, 1879; New Zealand University Scholar, 1876-78; B.A., New Zealand, 1880; Scholar Jesus College, Cambridge B.A. 1884 (Ninth Senior Optime); MA. 1888; Assistant Master Haileybury College, 1885-86; Priest, 1887, Tutor Native Theological College, 1889 -1902; Archdeacon of Waiapu, 1907; Fellow Royal Society of New Zealand, 1924; Doctor of Literature (N.Z.) 1925; Doctor of Literature (Cantab.) 1926; Bishop of Waiapu, 1930.

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Surely a very notable record and a link with the past which we will do well to remember.

B. – One who only knew the late Bishop after he was raised to the Episcopate inevitably appreciates him mainly in his office as Father-in-God. The outstanding qualities which he exhibited in this sacred office seem to me to have been his fairness, charity in judgement, firmness in decision and the affection which he gave to everyone in the Diocese. He valued very deeply the fact that the Waiapu Diocese is a happy family, and the Bishop’s work helped to maintain that state of affairs. He secured the loyalty of his men, was sparing in the use of actual command because he knew that when he said, “I wish you to do such a thing,” it was enough.

His conduct of affairs was characterised by wisdom and prudence. He loved order and good sense in business and his capabilities as President of Synod or as chairman of any meeting were remarkable. There are people who undervalue gifts of this nature, but they are essential in a ruler.

The Bishop could be described as a man of the world in the best sense for he took all life for his province and was interested in all branches of learning. This learning was not obtruded upon people, but those who knew him felt that he had solid ground for his views, and that he was not likely to be seriously inaccurate in any position he maintained. His width of culture eloquently taught the truth that the whole of life is the concern of the Church.

The most profound impression of all was made by his fine piety and deep devotion to God. This seemed to be the cause of his hatred of all insincerity and helped him to the sound judgement of men which he undoubtedly possessed. His devotion also developed in him the true detachment of spirit which enabled him to hold in balance the fact that he was at once the ruler of the Diocese and also its chief servant. Truly he was a real Father-in-God and his memory will always be held in affection.

C. – Quite often when a priest is elevated to be a bishop his relations with his clerical friends undergo a change, and he seems to be a little more aloof. Quite the opposite happened in the case of Bishop Herbert Williams; he seemed to draw nearer to his clergy, and said he wished to be regarded as an elder brother; he was more approachable and more understanding . And he rejoiced in his relationship with his clergy; and has many times said, “I wouldn’t change this diocese for any in the world.” I am sure the laity too felt that they knew him far better as bishop than they had known him as archdeacon.

Then the Bishop was a homely man. He, who was such a home-lover and who enjoyed such a very happy home atmosphere, was never any trouble when staying with people when on his rounds. “If you are wise you have your meals in the kitchen in winter, so don’t move into the dining-room because I’m here, it’s cosier in the kitchen,” was a typical remark of one who was a home lover. Then there was the Bishop’s humility. This brilliant scholar would always ask one’s opinion and discuss problems with those far his inferiors without any sign of patronage, but with a keen desire to glean other points of view. Truly, he was a good man!

D. – It is impossible in a short appreciation such as this to do justice to the [the] many-sided character of our late beloved Bishop. In any gathering of men his personality was felt immediately, his approachableness, his humanness and interest in everyday affairs made him always welcome, yet his geniality never led him to forget his high calling or to lose that dignity which sat so naturally upon him. On his many journeys his fund of anecdote and historical knowledge made his presence a pleasure to his fellow travellers, and in the early days of strenuous land travel his wit and ready humour lightened many an otherwise dull journey.

It has been said that the late Bishop was the best chairman in New Zealand, and this will readily be endorsed by those who have attended any large gathering presided over by him. He had a keen sense of humour which he used frequently in his own inimitable way to relieve a tense situation or to withdraw the sting from a remark made by a speaker in a moment of heat, but if the need arose he could exercise the greatest firmness with anyone who attempted to overstep the mark; meetings conducted by him were businesslike, dignified and mentally bracing; he had few equals in the art of summing up a debate and putting an issue clearly and concisely in the fewest possible words. To anyone lacking experience or wanting help he was most considerate – ready to offer advice and support from his great knowledge and experience.

Perhaps the dominating characteristics of Bishop Herbert Williams’ life were simplicity and consistency. His mode of life was austere almost to the point of asceticism and in spite of his all-round ability he had that simplicity which is the outcome of wisdom, knowledge and understanding, allied to a faith which has resolved all doubts and left a single purpose and a course set for a definite haven. He has gone from us after a life spent for the glory of God and the benefit of his fellow men, but those who knew him will treasure always the memory of his happy personality and example while future generations will reap the fruits of his life-long labours.

E. – Perhaps his most outstanding characteristic was his wise judgement. A man of very wide knowledge both of men and things, he was never carried away by first impressions, never allowed prejudice or popularity or misplaced enthusiasm to influence his actions. He had an intimate knowledge of every parish in his diocese and of most of its parishioners. Although he had never been a parish priest, he could understand and sympathise with the difficulties and needs of his clergy. He was absolutely unbiased, and could understand another man’s point of view even if he could not share it. He was incapable of making a rash statement or coming to an important decision without the most careful consideration. He was never impetuous. Although he did not wear his heart on his sleeve, he had a

1st January 1938   THE WAIAPU CHURCH GAZETTE   3

very deep affection for his clergy and for his friends.

When a priest, who has served his lifetime in a diocese and has been just “Herbert” to all his fellow clergy, is raised to the high office of ruler and administrator, the change of relationship in some cases seems to raise barriers, but in his case the change involved no difficulties. Whilst faithfully fulfilling his office of Father in God, he never ceased to be just one of us as before. His call to higher service so suddenly has left us with a sense of sad bereavement, even though we know that as a good and faithful servant he has entered into the Joy of his Lord.

A TRIBUTE FROM AUCKLAND

The Standing Committee of the Synod of the Diocese of Auckland having been informed of the sudden passing of the Bishop of Waiapu, the Right Reverend Herbert William Williams, desires to record its thankfulness to Almighty God for the wonderful gifts of learning, of counsel, of insight so richly given by Him to His servant, and for the benefit which the exercise of those gifts has brought to the Church of this land. It is mindful of the services of the late Bishop in the field of learning and more especially in the preservation of the Maori language as shown in the revision of the Bible and in the dictionary which bears his name. His counsel and insight in matters concerning the Constitution of the Church and its Government as embodied in the legislation of the General Synod has been of greatest service to the Church.

The Committee feels that the Church on earth is the poorer for his passing and the breaking of another earthly link with the early missionaries to this country from which he was descended.

The passing of the Bishop marks a unique fact in the history of the Church, the call to the episcopate in the same Diocese of members of three successive generations of the same family, the first Bishop William Williams; his son, William Leonard Williams, the third Bishop; and Herbert William Williams, son of the third Bishop, who became the sixth Bishop.

To the Bishop’s wife and family the Committee offers its heartfelt sympathy and prays that they may each and all be sustained by Almighty God in their sudden bereavement; and to the church people in the Diocese of Waiapu in their loss.

A SERMON PREACHED IN ST. JOHN’S ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12th

Sunday, December 12th. Psalm 78, v. 73.

When the duty and the honour of preaching to you this morning was laid upon me, I looked round to find a text that would sum up in a few words the chief things I want to say. And I found it in the last verse of this wonderful psalm which today we so seldom hear in church.

“He fed them with a faithful and true heart and ruled them prudently with all his power.”

The words were first applied to King David who, above all men, stamped an impression on his countrymen that nearly 3,000 years have failed to dull. What was it about him? He was a man of very varied excellence; a sheepfarmer, a poet, a soldier, a strategist, a ruler. He had the gift of leadership and – what brought forgiveness for his many sins – he was a man with a large heart. Holding all these things together was a sense of God’s power, God’s presence, and God’s friendship.

So after ages have looked back upon David and we may ask ourselves this morning what we are going to say and are going to believe of our Bishop, Herbert Williams. A bishop is a man whose duty it is to feed his people with the Bread of Life in the word and the Sacraments and to see that they are fed; and to oversee the flock committed to his charge according to the laws of Christ. And today there seems such overwhelming need of wise rulers and great-hearted teachers and strengtheners of the church. The days are so dark that one wonders sometimes whether he has not been taken away from the evil to come. And the worst and darkest things that face us are not the dangers of fire and slaughter; there are worse things than death. The greatest danger facing our country and Empire to-day is the danger of a wholesale moral corruption – not perhaps here yet, but likely to come, when all that has been built up for us by our Christian forefathers may be destroyed. And the defence to that terrible danger is the steadfast teaching and the steadfast practising of the Christian religion. Shame upon us if any are allowed to grow up in ignorance of the commands of Christ, His example, and His exceeding love.

To do a bishop’s work as it should be done needs many gifts. Those who got to know him found at once that he was a scholar and most of us have been astonished again and again at the varied subjects on which he could speak with authority and give us instruction. He had the gift of leadership; could show us which way we ought to go and bring us along that path. And, as we got to know him better, there stood out more clearly something that was better than brains and power, there stood out a great and very loving heart. And that I think was plainer to see of later years. He was a servant of God and I am sure that he took this office upon him from a sense of duty because he believed that God wanted him for that. I have seen again and again during these seven years how tremendously he relied upon our prayers and that he felt he could only do his work in that strength. As long as I live I shall remember with great thankfulness the last words I ever heard him say. Only three days before he died I had been to see him in his bedroom and when I was leaving after a very happy talk I said, “Is there anything you want me to do for you?” “Only to pray for me and I know you do that.” I did, and I do, and I shall.

“Pray for his soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for him night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?

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For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.”

And so we leave him at the feet of God with a last word of prayer and a last word of thanksgiving. In the old old words we pray

“Requiem eternam dona ei Domine et lux perpetua luceat ei,
May the Good Lord grant him refreshment, light and peace.”

and our word of thanksgiving because he had
“fed his people with a faithful and a true heart and ruled them prudently with all his power.”

LETTER FROM MRS WILLIAMS

Dear Friends. –

The Editor of the Waiapu Gazette has kindly given me space for a few words, which I would like to say in addition to the formal thanks sent to all those who wrote and telegraphed to me and my family.

We have received so much kindness in thought, word and deed that our sorrow for the passing away of our Bishop is much lightened and soothed. Kindness has been simply showered upon us, and we are most deeply grateful.

We much appreciated the visit of representatives of the Maori people who came with the Bishop of Aotearoa to condole with us, in their special manner. It was beautifully done, with thoughtful restraint as well as eloquence and tenderness. I have been less in close contact with my Maori friends since we left Gisborne, but I always feel a deep interest in them, and aroha for them, and desire to forward their best interests.

I would also like to mention, with much gratitude, the tributes that were paid to my husband last Sunday, and also in the public Press and in private letters and telegrams. May the example of his life and work be an inspiration to others to go and do likewise in the promotion of truth and learning and the furtherance of God’s Kingdom upon earth.

Yours sincerely,

Bertie Williams.

St. ANDREW’S, PORT AHURIRI.

Rev. W.S.G. Cameron, Vicar.

On November 24th, at Evensong, Mr O.D. Williams, Bishop’s Warden, was admitted as a Lay reader for the Parish by the Vicar.

A Service of Spiritual Healing was held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 17th November, conducted by the Rev. Canon Mortimer-Jones, who spoke of his experiences and inquiries in England concerning Spiritual Healing. This service was the forerunner to establish this means of healing in the Parish, and it is hoped to hold regular monthly services.

Tuesday, November 30th, St. Andrew’s Day. – Our Patronal Festival was observed as a day of Thanksgiving and continual Intercession to Almighty God for the missionary work of the Church in the Dioceses. The day began with Holy Communion at 6.30 a.m. and concluded with Evensong at 7.30 p.m., when the Rev. S.F.N. Waymouth was the preacher. The response to an appeal for Intercessors was very good.

After Evensong, a social was held in the parish Hall. Madame Mercer and her party kindly gave us a number of songs, and the evening was much enjoyed by all.

The annual prizegiving and breaking up of the Sunday School took place on the 13th December, when an enjoyable programme was rendered by the scholars. The Sunday School is closed for the period of the school holidays and will reassemble to the Sunday before the re-opening of the State schools.

The children’s Morning Devotions are in abeyance during the holidays.

The Vicar extends his thanks to the Sunday School staff for their co-operations throughout the year. It was satisfactory to see so many parents present at the breaking up ceremony and occasion was taken to present Miss Beattie, Diocesan Sunday School Organiser, who endorsed and supplemented the Vicar’s remarks to the parents.

More teachers will be required for the coming year, and the Vicar would be pleased to hear from any who would volunteer for this most important branch of the Church’s work.

New altar hangings, a large mat for the front porch and a more suitable floor covering for the centre aisle are among our immediate requirements. We trust they will be forthcoming in the near future.

The Vicar and Mrs Cameron hope to be away during January for a much needed spell. The Rev. Nigel Williams has promised to take two celebrations and Lay readers will be responsible for the other services. Enquiries should be addressed to Mr Frank Smith, Selwyn Road, tel. 721.

Mr and Mrs Cameron wish all parishioners every happiness throughout the coming year.

The total amount of the Gift Sunday offerings was £87.

On the Maori Mission-Sunday, the Sunday scholars brought their annual gifts, which were distributed between the Mission Houses at Whakarewarewa, Te Araroa, Tokomoaru and Ruatoki.

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