MR. ROBERT PARKER

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 50, 1 March 1937, Page 11

MR. ROBERT PARKER

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A high tribute to the work: of the late Mr. Robert Parker, C.M.G, as organist and choirmaster •to St. Paul s Pro-Cathedral since 1878, was paid by the former Bishop of Wellington, the Rt Rev. Dr. T. H. Sprott, at a memorial service held in the Pro-Cathedral last night. The service, with which hymns associated with the late organist were used, was largely attended. Special interest attached to the music selected for the Introit, "Enter Not Into Judgment." The Canticles and the solo, "Lord, I Have Loved," were to a setting by Mr. Parker. Of the hymns, "The Resurrection Morning" was sung to a tune written by him, and "Abide With- Me" to one written by his old tutor, Dr. Monk. The lady soloist was Miss Houghton. , The service was taken by the Key. G. McKenzie and the lessons were read by Mr. E. D. Cachemaille and Archdeacon A. L. Hansell. Receiving his education under William Henry Monk, late professor , of music in King's College, London, the original musical director of "Hymns Ancient and Modern." Bishop Sprott said Mr. Parker contrfttited tunes for the loveliest and best-known of evening hymns, "Abide With Me." "He was an accomplished musician, and a man of wide culture," continued the preacher. "Robert Parker was imbued with the idea of the educational value of music, and I think that that was one of the aims of. his musical career. He was the pioneer, certainly here in Wellington, and to a large extent in New Zealand, in the great development of music. On looking back on all the past 58 years, it seems to me a most wonderful thing that though the choir changed frequently, St. Paul's was never without an efficient choir. If I were asked what in- the days I am thinking of was the outstanding characteristic of the musical worship in this church, I would say it was Robert Parker's deeply-devotional spirit. We who worshipped here may not have always realised it, but visitors to this church from other parts of New Zealand or from abroad have remarked upon the devotional type of worship.

"So strong was,his will, such courage had he, so greatly did he love his service in this church, that he persevered in his work until a month or two within his nineteth year; and. then overcome with a most distressing weakness he was compelled to relinquish all wsrk," concluded Bishop Sprott. "The end came somewhat suddenly, just eight days ago, and the body of Robert Parker passed on to his hope and faith to join the Choir Invisible in the purer world of more abundant life." After the blessing, Chopin's Funeral March was, played:.in...tribute .to-, the church's well beloved organist and choirmaster.