ADDRESS TO BISHOP HARPER.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7541, 3 May 1890, Page 3

ADDRESS TO BISHOP HARPER.

At the conclusion of the Litany at yesterday morning's holy communion service at the Cathedral, the Very Key. the Dean in the presence of a large number of the clergy, read the following address :— "To the most Reverend Father in God, Henry John Chitty Harper, Doctorof Divinity, late Bishop of Christchurch, and Primate of Mew Zealand. " My Lord— "TheclergyunderyourLordship's charge and government desire to express to you at this time, when you have recently retired from the duties of your high office, and have transferred its responsibilities and cares to a successor, oar hearty and affectionate sense of the blessings we enjoyed under your kind and fatherly rale. Some of us can recall your Lordship's own installation in the pro-cathedral church of Christchurch more than thirtythree years ago, and have experienced the benefits of your wise guidance during the whole extent of your episcopate. Others of us have experienced those benefits fora shorter period; but none ol us will ever forget the example of your Lordship's earnest devotion to our Master's work, your assiduity in the discharge of the duties of your exalted position, and your readiness, at all times, to relieve by your own self-sacrificing labor, any or your clergy who were invalided or worn out by over-exertion. All of us when in need of rest or help turned without hesitation to your Lordship, and never failed to obtain thatof which they stood in need. Theseand other kindnesses and benefits, which we have received from your Lordship's hands, we acknowledge with heartfelt thankfulness. We trust also that we may never \ forget the beautiful example of piety and j charity, of gentleness and humility, of a pure and blameless life which your Lordship has set before us. It is a comfort to us to know that we shall still be near you and that you will watch our cause with the deepest interest and sympathy. We know that we may confidently ask for an interest in yourprayers and are sure that you will not doubt that that interest will be reciprocated. Our love for your Lordship will deepen as time goes on and we shall pray more and more earnestly that if the infirmities of age must needs increase upon you, they may be lightened by the sense of tne tender sympathy of many affectionate hearts, and that tne lengthening shadows may be brightened by the never-failing comforts of the Holy Spirit and the constant assurance of our Heavenly Master's presence and of the Almighty Father's love. To the care and protection oE the ever-blessed Trinity we affectionately commend you, and remain your lordship's faithful and obedient servants in our Lord Jesus Christ. Then followed the signatures of the clergy." His Lordship, on rising from the episcopal chair, said — Mr Dean and rev. brethren, I have to thank you for this very kind address. There are many expressions made use of which I attribute to those services which I can hardly claim ; but, nevertheless, I thank you for the kindness which has induced you to make this address to mc. There are three names mentioned here of clergymen who were present wheu I first arrived here. Others have been either ordained by myself or are comparatively newcomers; but we have been ail working together, I trust, with the same object in view, to carry out the purposes for which we were ordained—the salvation of souls and the glory of God, and I have to thank God heartily for the considerate loyalty which you have shown to myself. We all have our failings and weaknesses which require consideration one from another, and I am thankful to you for the consideration you have shown mc in the execution of ray office. You are now about to proceed under a younger man than myself; one with energy and qualifications, and I trust you will all show the same loyalty to him as you have shown to mc. Of many of those who, since I have been in this colony have passed away, I believe no less than fourteen have been carried away by death ; others have left the place resolved to work elsewhere, but still I am sure that all must have felt during their lifetime, and during their work in this colony, that we weie working harmoniously together, with that single object in view which I have mentionedi I thank you very sincerely for this very kind address. I shall value it most highly as coming from the clergy—from those who have been brought into nearer contact with mc than any othet members of the whole community ; from those of whom, perhaps, I know more than I do, with one or two exceptions, of our fellow laymen. Therefore I have every reason to know of your sentiments and of your feelings towards mc, and though I say there is something more attributed tome than I deserve, yet I thank you for your expressions of kindness and consideration for mc. I am much obliged to you for this kind address, and I shall value it highly. During the time the Dean was reading the address to Bishop Harper his Lordship occupied the original episcopal chair—a chair almost coayal with the foundation of the Church in Christchurch. After the reply his Lordship shook hands with the many clergy who were present and gave them his blessing.