ST. PAUL'S CHURCH

FAREWELL TO THE VICAR. The Vicar ot St.. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, the Rev. A. M. Johnson, and Mrs. Johnson, who are leaving shortly on a six months' trip to England, were entertained by the parishioners at the Syd-ney-street schoolroom last evening. The hall was crowded. Mr. R. B. Rigg presided. Professor Easterfield said he felt greatly honoured in expressing to the Vicar and Mrs. Johnson the wishes of all present that they would have a very happy time on their journey. Mr. Johnson had now been their Vicar for two and a half years. It was no easy task ho had to undertake when he came amongst them< He had to follow one who was much beloved, and who had been many years in the parish, and who held the unique position of having been chosen by an almost unanimous vote to be Bishop of the diocese. But Mr. Johnson tackled the hard ta-sk splendidly. If there was one thing that would tell, it was hard work. After leaving Cambridge, Mr. Johnson got one of the best' drillings as a vicar. He went into the country 1 in New Zealand. That training did one of two things. It either broke a man's back or made him the finest of workers. The Rev. Mr. Johnson had extraordinary sympathy, and was always ready to "help a lame dog over the stile," and he did it in such a way that the dog felt that he had done it himself. (Laughter.) Tho Vicar had a, wonderful power over young people The success of the Boys' Club spoke volumes for the work he had done amongst them. He had the great power of seeing the very best in his parishioners. There were many people who easily noted the weak points in other persons' characters ; but it you wanted to get tho best out of a person you had to see the best points in his character. The Vicar was not a heresy hunter, and could allow others to differ very considfirably from him. Speaking for all those present, he wished Mr. and Mrs. Johnson bon voyage, an enjoyable holiday, and that they would return with a great accession of health, strength, and energy. i Bishop Sprott said lie was very glad to take part in that meeting and to join with those present in saying farewell— though ho was glad to say that it would not be a long farewell — to the Vicar and Mrs. Johnson. Ho did not know anyone who better deserved a holiday than Mr. Johnson. During his seventeen years in New Zealand he had had practically no holiday. Bishop Sprott alludud to Mr. Johnson's work at Masterton, and at St. Mark's, Wellington, and to his diocesan duties. "-Why arc the parishioners of St. Paul's! not like doctors?" asked Bishop Sprott. "Because, if you go to your doctor, he will tell you that you must take a long holiday, but he never suggests the wherewithal to get that holiday. That is wherein the parishioners of St. Paul's differ from our medical friends. They are not merely seeing that Mr. Johnson shalL tako a holiday, but they wish also to help him to do so." (Laughter.) Bishop Sprott then handed a substantial monetary gift to tho Rev. Mr. Johnson, and, on behalf of the ladies, made a presentation to Mrs. Johnson. The Rev. Mr. Johnson acknowledged the gift in suitable terms, and he thanked them, he added, from the bottom of bis heart for the kindness they had shown to him. During the evening songs were con* tributed by Miss Price, Miss Upham, Mr. Clarkson, and Master Rodney Pankhurst. Miss Chard gave a recitation. 1 Supper was provided ; the ladies in charge of this department being Mrs. Walter Blundell, Mrs. N. Burton, and Miss Price. The Executive Committee were Mesdamcs Larnach, Price, Burtonj Badham, Barnett, and Miss Mestayer. Mrs. W. F. Massey was amongst those who were present.