ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL.

Evening Star, Issue 9582, 31 December 1894, Page 1

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL.

RETIREMENT OF -THE VEN. ARCHDEACON EDWARDS. When it was known that the Ven. Archdeacon 'Edwards would close his official connection with St. Paul's last evening, several presentations were arranged by a number of the associations of the church in bit) hoiior. An armchair and a suitable address were given by Mr W. Davie on behalr*of the Sunday school, in which the archdeacon has taken the wannest interest during the past thirty-fire years. At a recent meeting of the choir Mr VVatiie-S' spoke as follow?: "Venerable Archdeacon, —Before presenting yoo with an illuminated address by the choir of St. Paul's, I may say that you have favored us in many ways. When the Anglican Glee Club was started in the early part of the seventies you gave us the use of a room for rehearsals. You have been instrumental in the election of several of the choir as member* of the vestry. Some of us have been teachers iu the Sunday school, and when the morning branch was started your consideration caused the establishment of that school on successful lines. , That was in the drillshed near the present Fire Brigade station. Four of the choir (Miss J. Kinvig, Mr Naish, Mr Holmes, and myself) were the first volunteers to conduct that school, and those who had the pleasure of hearing the children sing their Christmas carols last Tuesday morning will acknowledge that good work is done by another of our members (Miss Rehberg) as leader and accompanist. In our social gatherings both yourself and Mrs Edwards have taken a kindly interest. You have honored two members of the choir with work as lay readers. In our times of bereavement you have sympathised with us, and your words linger in our memory. When the motion to have this church erected to cathedral status was carried, onr regret at your approaching departure waa lessened by the knowledge that you.voluntarily retire from the scene of your labors, where you leave a noble example—the best heritage—in the history of the church in this colony. This being a fitting time, we heartily wish you 'Many happy New Years/" The address is as follows : St. Paul's, Dunedin, Christniastide, 1894. Pear Archdeacon and Mrs Edwards,—lt is with feelings of regret that the undersigned members of St. Paul's Choir ask your acceptance of this address on the occasion of your retirement from the scene of your labors, now extending over thirty years. Our regret at your departure is softened by the knowledge that God has blessed yow work here; that your sympathy has l>een ever with as; aud that you have let your light so shine before mea that they should glorify our lleavenly Father. Of Mrs Edwards we particularly desire to say that her regular assistance among our altos will always be remembered with pleasure. Praying that Almighty Ood will spare you for many years, and continue to h\es» you and your family.—We remain, yours truly, [Here follow the signatures.] Archdeacon Edwards cordially thanked the choir for their address, which he thought was of too flattering a character. However, he and his wife had always taken a warm interest iu the ch rir, but under the painful circumstances of separation he could not be expected to say very much. He prayed that God's blessing would rest upon each member of the choir individually. Whila one was not able to sing with the voice, he thanked God that one was able to sing with the heart. Iu connection with his new home at St. Clair, Mrs Edwards would be glad to welcome any member of the choir. There was a crowded congregation at St. Paul's last evening, when the Ven. Archdeacon Edwards preached his farewell sermon. He took for his text Numbers vi., 22-26 : " And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying on this wise : Ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto jthem, ' The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee ; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace." The archdeacon observed that that was the last occasion upon which he would address the congregation from that pulpit, and in bidding them goodbye he repeated the words of the text and applied it to each individual member present.