ARCHDEACON AVERILL.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13621, 3 January 1910, Page 5

ARCHDEACON AVERILL.

FAREWELL SERVICE AT ST. MICHAEL'S

Last evening at St. Michael's Church the Yen. Archdeacon Averill, Bishopelect of Waiapu, farewell sermon. There was a very large congregation, the parishioners being reinforced by visitors from other churches who were desirous of once more hearing Archdeacon Averill before his departure.

The preacher took as his text Acts xxvi., verse 19: "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision." It was, he* said, nearly sixteen years ago since he first stood in the pulpit of St. Michael's and preached from that text. What he said then he was prepared/ after those years of experience, to say again, viz., that he came to this country in response to what he believed was a call from God,- a heavenly vision. Be had never regretted, the step he took then, and though it meant the severance of many ties, yet the comfort of knowing that God had a work for him to do here, and the increasing comfort of knowing as the years went by. that God was pleased to make use of his services to help and strengthen some of His children, had always been to him an assurance that the step he took was the right one. It had always been his greatest happiness to feel that his ministry had been helpful to many of those present, and to many who had passed away. It had been his aim in his min 7 istry to help his people to realise that Christ was infinitely more than a great historic figure to be admired and talked about, and that Christianity was infinitely more than respect or even admiration for the character and teaching of the Lord Jesus. Christianity was devotion to the Christ of God—real, loving devotion, expressing itself in loving obedience and service, something more than nominal adherence to a creed. It was tho surrender to the grip and influence and control of a loving, personal Friend, and the gradual assimilation of His ideals and very life. If he had been able to lead psople to Christ, and show them what Christianity really was, the years had not been spent in vain. It was in response to the same voice which brought him here that he was leaving St. Michael's. Mere preferment in itself had l no attractions for him, and, es far as his own wishes were concerned, he would prefer to live and die as the vicar of St. Michael's. Though he had had many invitations to .go elsewhere, none of them had' presented themselves to him as a. call from God, and he had had' no hesitation in refusing them. But he had never doubted this call; his duty seemed absolutely clear, in spite of inclination which dragged in en opposite direction. It was not easy to leave such a church as St. Michael's, with its beloved associations and happy memories, and to separate from so many of his people whom he had learned to love and' know. He was thankful to know that his name would ever be associated with the Pilgrim's, Chapel, as he had ever honoured the memories of those men and women who came out in the early days with noble ideals and lofty aspirations, and whose lives and work had given a tone to Canterbury which he trusted l it would never lose. He was thankful, also, to feel that St. Michael's contained so many tokens of the love and affection of its people for the House of God. He would always think of the hearty and inspiring services, which had almost realised his ideal for a parish church service, and he would always remember thj splendid loyalty of the organist and choir. He would be able to look back with pleasure upon the hearty cooperation of hia brother clergy who had been associated with him in the work of the parish, and upon the self-sacri-ficing and devoted men who had occupied the position of churchwardens. His bast thanks wero also due to the members'of the vestry, Sunday school teachers, district visitors, Sanctuary Guild, and many workers in many societies, for their encouraging and loyal service. Pernaps the work which he lcved most had been the visitation ot tho sick. The Hospital had been almost a home to him. He gave up his work there with many regrets. He desired also to take the opportunity of acknowledging his indebtedness to the kindness of the Press in Christchurch, and to record his appreciation of the high tone and excellence of the newspapers. In conclusion Archdeacon Averill said: —"And last, but not least, I wish to say how much I have I koked forward to these evening ser-

vices, and how much I regret that so j many regular worshippers here are personally unknown to mc. If tho services have been a help to you. make use ot that help to encourage those who wil. take unand continue the work of the parish. I have tried to bo faithful and loyal to the vision of God which hat guided mc so far, and I trust that J shall be loyal and faithful to the vision which has again altered the course os biv life. However hard it may be. i must face ray duty, and you must face yours, and God in His good time wil n-ake all things plain. May God's blessing rest upon you and the Church and parish of St. Michael's."