GOOD-BYE! BISHOP WALLIS ENTERTAINED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 92, 20 April 1911, Page 3

GOOD-BYE ! BISHOP WALLIS ENTERTAINED.

A SOCIAL GATHERING. Parishioners of St Paul's gathered in large numbers at Sydnev-etreefc Schoolroom last evening to say good-bye to Bishop Walli's and Mrs. Wallis. The hall was crowded, and among the clergy present were : — Rev. T. 11. Sprott (Bishop-elect), Vcn. Archdeacon Kancourt (Bishop's Commissary), Yen. Archdeacon Harper, Revs. W. H. Complon. Joshua Jones, R. Young Stephcnsun. J. G. Bartlett. A. T. Bond, and Hansell. It was "good-bye" or "God be with you" in the tenderest sense" of the woid. It wa3 made manifest during the evening ' that the Bishop was leaving behind him very many personal friends attached to him by stronger ties than those of a pastoral character. Mrs. Wallis, too. shared with the Bishop the affection and respect which he had won fron? tho parishioners of St. Paul's. A waltz, played by a string band, struck a, cheerful opening note. Archdeacon Fancourt presided. He referred to the fact that although it was known the parting would have to come, it made the occasion none tho less sorrowful. Tho life of the Bishop aud of Mrs. Wallis had been most strenuous; they had not spared themselves all that time; each hnd done much foi- mankind and religion and God had blessed what they had done. The needs of the Church had been niet notwithstanding the growth of population. He specially refeiTed to the country districts. Not only had every place been supplied with a clergyman ; although tho districts, owing to subdivisions, were undei manned; the increase of clergy in proportion to the number of inhabitants was larger than when Bishop Wallis came. He had had the courage to face .problems, and^had been an excellent leader, insisting as much as could be done should be done. Dr. Wallis had been a very father in God, winning the love and regard ot the clergy and a multitude of others over whom lie had been Bishop. It was this powerful influence that nad encouraged co many men to come out for work in New Zealand. ARDUOUS WORK. J The Archdeacon said he knew better \ than anyoiiu else what the Bishop's work was. He had been spent to the utmost for the diocese. The cares and anxictie3 of his work in the dioeoso had been the cause of his leaving New Zealand. Hs was going Home, under the providence of God, that his life might be spared and that he might have rest after long years of arduous toil. Had he continued to work as he' had been doing one could not say what the consequences might have been. He trusted that God's blessing would rest upon the Bishop and Mrs. Wallis. He applied to the latter what he had said of 'the Bishop. Mr. T. F. Martin, Chancellor of tha Diocese, speaking on behalf of laymen, heartily endorsed all thtit Archdeacon Fancourt had said. Ho hsd set no limit upon what was his duty, what his work. It must be a great relief to the older clergy to have had their great districts divided and other men to share their burdens. The cause of the Bishop's leaving — the state of his health— was indeed regrettable, but all would wish him a pleasant voyage Home. The Bishop was to &c congratulated upon , the fact that ho had never hud £t dean, remarked Mr. Martin, speaking jocularly. - He wished, Dr. • Wallis and Mrs. Wallis God-speed. The Bishop's name was indelibly inscribed on the records of the history of the Church of New Zealand. PRESENTATION. Archdeacon Fancourt then presented Bishop Wallis .with framed photographs of the clergy, and also a bank draft to make whatever disposal of.it he chose when in England. It represented a great many donors, and among them so many who had been confirmed by him and wn» loved and respected him. Mrs. Joshua Jones presented Mrs. Wallis with a bank draft as from the wives of the clergy. PARTING WORDS. Bishop Wallis expressed his gratitude for the presentation. It was difficult fov a man of whom to many kind things had been said to know how to reply. What had touched him most was the affection of the people. He confessed that when he thought of coming to Mew Zealand he did not easily make up his mind to come. He, felt, however, that Cod had called him "to New Zealand, and he was now truly thankful that he had come. He felt giateful that he had something to do with ■ building up the Church in ti new country. He was very, very .ioitv to leave New Zealand, leaving friends who had become dear to him and work that he much loved. He was leaving behind him a loving band of clergy, particularly mentioning his dear friend Mr. Sprott. No one knew the sacrifices ( hey made to work in NewZealand for conscience sake, refusing offers of better-paid and easier woric elsewheit. But they worked on unselfishly, loyally, for the love of God and their fellow-men. LAI' WORKERS. The co-oneration of the lay, members he most warmly acknowledged. The life of a, colonial Bishop was the happiest a man could have. And yet he felt he had to go. It was unavoidable. He spoke on behalf of Mrs. Wallis, expressing her thanks for the kind things said of her. and expressed, too, his own thanks. Wellington was going to be a very Krein, i'ity, and more churches would li.ive to be built. They mn«t enlarge their view of life, peimealing their chic Hud i«iis*ious lif<» witli the love of God. They needed to go out-into tlie highways and' byways in their Muster's name to tell men and women that they loved them. More mossionary work sit home and abroad, too, would have to be done. He hoped that the Church would go forward, certain that she was conquering and would conquer, and in that spirit he hoped the Chuich would do its work for 1 many years to come. - After leference to 'the Church of. England Men's Society tuid Immigrants' Society, .he wished them "Good luck in the name of the 'Lord." The amount of the draft presenued to the Bishop was £260. •> Hollow's Band performed selections during the evening.