ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27636, 18 April 1955, Page 3

ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE

TRIBUTE TO FORMER RECTOR

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MR A. K. ANDERSON

A tribute to the late Mr A. K. Anderson, who was rector of St. Andrew’s College from 1920 to 1934, was paid yesterday afternoon by the Very Rev. J. Lawson Robinson at a memorial service in the new chapel at the college. Mr Robinson, who first met Mr Anderson 45 years ago, at Knox College, where they occupied adjoining studies, said that there was an inspiration of faith behind Mr Anderson that upon a Christian basis only icould true education be founded. It had been for that reason that he had left the State educational system to take over the relatively young and weak church college. It said much for his courage, teaching and administration that he had been able to strengthen its foundations and build a sound and enduring structure. Under his guidance the college had grown in strength and in popular esteem.

In the years of the depression in the 1930’s the college’s very existence had been threatened and then Mr Anderson had had to inspire and maintain confidence when men’s hearts were failing them with fear (Mr Robinson recalled that he was then a member of the board of governors).

If the lamp of faith had then burned dim it had never been wholly extinguished and the college had regained its strength. Only then, when the time of difficulty had passed, had Mr Anderson left to go to Scots College, Sydney. Mr Robinson said that Mr Anderson had been a stoong man of serious purpose and a good mixer, but one who never sought popularity by deviating, from his high principles. Every boy in the college had won his interest and he had a justifiable pride in the achievements of his old boys. Of his religious life one would speak with reserve, but he had spiritual experiences among the secrets of his soul. His faith was very real in a conviction and not a convention. Boys of school age were often exuberant in spirit and at times irresponsible in practice, said Mr Robinson, but in later days there developed in them a recognition of principles enunciated tn their youth. Numbers of old boys gave thanks to God that in their formative years they had before them a man with faith in God and an unfaltering serene Christian example. The service was conducted by the chaplain of the the Rev. Malcolm Wilson. The Rector. Mr T. W. Stewart, read the scripture lessons and the Rev. I. B. Wilson, an oftTboy of the college, said a prayer of thanksgiving. The. chapel choir sang the anthem “Nuhc Dimittis” and shortly before the close of the service the college pipe band, stationed outside the chapel, played the lament "Flowers of the Forest.”