ST. MARK'S PARISH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1315, 19 December 1911, Page 5

ST. MARK'S PARISH.

THE HEW VICAB. WELCOMED. The Uov. C. 1 , . Askew, who has just boon appointed vicar of St. Mnrk's parisn, and Mrs. Askew v;erc entertained at a social gathering in St. Mark's Schoolroom last evcniiii. The hall was prettily decorated with bunting. 'Parishioners attended in largo numbers, and the guests included ii number of clergymen from other parishes. Thoso present included the Bishop of Wellington (the Right Bev. I- H. Sprott), and Mrs. Sprott, Archdeacon. Harper and Mrs. Harper, the Bev. -A. M. Johnson, late vicar 'of St. Mnrk's, and the Eevs. Bond and Bartlett, former curates of the parish. At an eni'iy stage Mrs. Askew was welcomed, ami presented with a beautiful bouquet by a pretty little girl. Tieturning thanks, Mrs. Askew said that Fbe liked New Zealand very much, and would do her very best to second her husband's efforts in his new charge. Extending a hearty welcome to the new yiear and his wife, Mr. T, Pilcher (parishioners' churchwarden) assured them that, they wore not looked upon as strangers coming to a. foreign land, but as kindred, lie was certain that all the. parishioners wonjd endeavour to help Mr. Askew in his ministrations. They all recognised that they were fortunate in securing such a wan as their new vienr. Mr. I?. E. Kawnsley, vicar's churchwarden, welcomed Mr. and Mr*. Askew on behalf of the parishioners. Mr. Bawnsley told tlie new vicar that in St. Shirk's parish ho would find himself assisted by a strong band of earnest and willing workers. • ■ . . Bishop Sprott remarked that this parish had been exceedingly fortunate in its Ticars. It had had fewer tha.'.i the neighbouring parishes of .St. Peter's and St.. Paul's. St. Mark's parish had gono in for duality rather than for quantity. He felt sure that in Mr. and Airs. Askew, worthy, successors would be found to those who had worked in St. Mark's parish in former years. During Hip past, few days he had told Mr. and 31 r*. Askew that they would find -Sh-Mark's a, united and hearty parish, that in it they, would find a band of earnest, hearty workers, who would fecond them in all their efforts, and that they would find themselves at. homo here. Bishop Rprott ndded -whimsically that he wn.s confident that his hearers would not allow Mr. Askew to Ret an impression that the Bishop of this diocese did not always speak tho truth. Ho hoped that more and wore would bo done in the parish to build up a strong Christian brotherhood. Mr. Askow declared that he could not find words to clothe the..thoughts that rose in response to the kindly words of wclcomo_ that had been uttered. Ho was filled with contentment and happiness. His call to St. Mark's had been a very clear and unmistakable one. He was happy in having come to a parish which contained a large band of willing nnd devoted workers. Letters whicli lie had received prior to his arrival in New Zealand from the Bishop, tho Archdeacon, the churchwardens of the parish, and other kind friends filled him with cratitnde. Ho believed that, spite of all the good vrork done in the parish in the past, there, was a great work to bo 'lone in tho future', and his best thought, time, and .strength would be given to its accomplishment. "From the bottom of his heart he thanked (hem for the ivelcomo extended to his wife and himself. A. number of musical items were contr.buted during the evening.