S. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S.

Press, Volume XX, Issue 2901, 19 August 1872, Page 3

S. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S.

The Key. E. Bailey, M.A., who for the past eighteen months has held the incumbency of S. John the Baptist's, Latimer square, but who, owing to his intended visit to England, has resigned his cure, preached his farewell sermons at morning and evening service in the church yesterday. In the morning the church was crowded to excess, every available seat being filled, and numbers standing. The rev. gentleman's address partook of a review of the work done in the parish during his incumbency. In the evening the crowds of people pressing into the church were such that the churchwardens were literally at their wits' end how to dispose of them. Not only was every seat occupied, but every inch of standing room, the organ loft, the vestry, the chancel, and all up the aisles, was crowded with people, until quite 1000 were congregated together. Numbers were unable to obtain admittance and stood outside the building. The rev. gentleman selected as his text Cor. IT. eh. xiii., v. 14—"The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." He said he had looked forward to that solemn occasion with feelings of the deepest emotion, but while that was the case, he would not wish ou that, the last occasion they would hear his voice, to say anything to them to depress or sadden them; rather would he speak words of comforting truths to their hearts which should abide with them and tend to their everlasting joy and peace. All around them was speaking to them of the fleeting nature of the things of this life, and he might bid them look at the sanctuary in which they were assembled, that would remain, but they would pass away ; all this showed them that this was not their abiding city. Or he might have taken them in fancy back to the hearth and home visiting amongst them—visiting in which he had experienced the truest kindness, the deepest sympathy in his work ; he might have asked them to gather up into, as it were, one bundle, the memories of eighteen months of evangelical intercourse and communion, during which time many of them had heartily joined hands with him in his work; he might have evoked many memories upon such an occasion as this, might have spoken to their kind hearts, and drawn from thence the sympa- ! thetic tears which were lying only too close to the surface, but he had thought it better to turn aside from this, and direct their thoughts rather to those words of comfort which the text supplied. He would not ask them, though he had done this, to forget him or to think lightly of the parting which was j that night taking place between them. The parting of friends for a long season between whom, in a short space of time, thousands of miles would intervene —that was a sad scene, but the parting between minister and people was far sadder even than that, it was the saddest thing under the sun. It was no trifling matter that a pastor should come and go, and that he should be forgotten, but with all thie he wished to direct their thoughts, aye, even on that last night, the last time perhaps they would hear his voice speaking to them from that pulpit, to something more enduring and appertaining to their eternal peace. He knew that he should be remembered in the hearts of some; God had given it to his ministers to utter words which went into the hearts of men, and made hearts which were before dark and cheerless, turn into joy and light, and work the wonderful change which is called conversion, and in those hearts the memory of him who first led them to this blessed state was always cherished. After that evening another voice would address them from that place—another one would fill the post occupied by him. After exhorting those present to tender to his successor the same kindness extended to him, the rev. gentleman proceeded to dwell forcibly upon the necessity not only of attending Church and being outwardly religious, but also of acting out their religion in their life, serving God with all their heart, and pointing out the fearful responsibility which rested upon them who, he affirmed, had had the whole truth of God, faithfully preached to them. He had labored zealously and earnestly with a single eye to God's glory and their good; he was conscious, deeply conscious, of many imperfectious, but he could solemnly affirm before God in that sanctuary that he had striven for their good. If, at the great day of account, one of those present could attribute their eternal peace to his efforts he should never cease praising God for His directing his footsteps to New Zealand. The rev. gentleman concluded a most affecting and eloquent address by taking farewell of his congregation, and expressing n hope that they would all gather beyond the river, where perhaps they would know him better, and where they could all join in songs of praiee,

At the conclusion of his address the rev. gentleman was visibly affected, and for some seconds after be concluded the most profound silence reigned. The Holy Communion was administered at the close of the service, and the number of communicants at both services was 133 ; the collections amounting to £20. We understand that the Primate and the Yen Archdeacon of Christchurch will fill the pulpit of St John's during the nest three or four Sundays. The members of the Bible class and the Sunday school teachers will hold a tea meeting this evening, -when a purse of sovereigns and an address will be presented to the Key Mr Bailey.