VALEDICTORY

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 June 1928, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

ARCHDEACON' AND MRS CARR.

There was a large attendance of parishioners of Holy Trinity Church in Trinity Hall last evening, on the occasion of the valedictory social tendered to Archdeacon and Mrs A. C. Cart who leave for Picton early next week, after a residence in Greymouth of eight years, Archdeacon Carr having'accepted the incumbency of the Holy Trinity parish there. Mr Geo. Smart occupied the chair, and hdd associated with him on the platform Revs. W. Bell (Cobden and Runahga), Barker (Ahaura-Brunner), T. N, Cuttle and G. E. Brown (Ministers’ Association), T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., and G. Pratt, and the guests of the evening. In addressing the gathering, Mr Smart said they had met to bid farewell to Archdeacon and Mrs Carr. Now that the parting of the ways had been reached, and the Archdeacon had asked to be moved owing to the health of both himself and Mrs Carr not having been of the best for the past year, many expressions of regret had been received, regarding their going away. Those who had canvassed the parish for a presentation for the Archdeacon had been most gratified at the willing response that had been made, and the many expressions of goodwill to . the Archdeacon and Mrs Carr had been most heartening. He realised that the position of minister to a congregation was not; an easy one, and, whatever perfections a minister had, there were always some who complained. The matter of visiting seemed the general trouble, but as “Those who are whole need no physician,” he considered the minister’s duty lay in looking after the needs of the sick and afflicted. In this particular, he knew the Archdeacon had more than • done his duty. The parish was a very large one and difficult to work single-handed and the people should not be too exacting. They would feel a blank when the Archdeacon and Mrs Carr left. It was a case of “We never know how much we love them, till we lose them.” Those who had canvassed the congregation had been specially pleased to receive unsolicited assistance from members of other congregations who had appreciated the good work of the Archdeacon, and the little acts of kindness he had extended them. He, felt the parishioners did not wish to say “Good-bye,” but rather “Au Revoir” as they hoped to see Archdeacon and Mrs Carr visiting Greymouth from time to time renewing their old ties with the place and people. He wished them every success and happiness in their new parish. He was sure the parishioners would remember only the good work done by the Archdeacon and Mrs Carr. He hoped the new church would be proceeded with, and that the Archdeacon would come back and open it.* Mr Cuttie said on behalf of the Presbyterian Congregation, and also the Greymouth Ministers’ Association, he wished to pay a deep tribute of respect and appreciation to the Archdeacon, for the good work he had done. The Ministers’ Association appreciated his unswerving loyalty to his Church and his loyalty to the Ministers’ Association. What they appreciated more than all was his desire to extend the Kingdom of God, and to preach the Gospel of Christ. The Archdeacon was not a “sheep stealer.” When he found members of other congregations who were new to the town, he always passed word on to the minister of the particular church. He hoped the parishioners would bear in mind the Archdeacon’s attitude regarding money raised for the church. He knew how well the Archdeacon had visited those who needed his ministrations, and had been surprised when he had seen the number of visits, the. Archdeacon had made during the year. t Parishioners should bear with the minister in the matter of visiting. He thought an anfbv nual visit was sufficient, unless illness or other eventuality rendered other visits necessary. He hoped the days in Picton would be days of blessing for both the Archdeacon and Mrs Carr.

Rev. G. E. Brown, as Secretary of the Ministers’ Association, said he wished to express his admiration of the fine spirit of the Archdeacon. It was not always that ministers of the Episcopal, and noxr-Episcopal churches met on common ground as they were doing in Greymouth, and he hoped they would continue to do. That spirit would make all the quicker for the union of churches, and it had certainly borne good fruit in Greymouth. The Methodists were sharing the loss Holy Trinity was sustaining by the removal of the Archdeacon. They also remembered what Mrs Carr had done to assist citizenship in Greymouth, her good work in the Girl Guides and Plunket Society. He hoped the spirit of unity would grow in the future, and lift the town to a higher moral level. Rev. W. Bell (Cobden cum Runanga) said he was sorry to lose the help of the Archdeacon, who had been a bigger brother to him, and had rendered him many services. He realised, however, that changes in the Ministry were expedient, periodically. They afforded, the ministers an opportunity for changed surroundings which helped to stimulate them in their work. Changes were also beneficial to a congregation, and often assisted in progress. He wished the Archdeacon and Mrs Carr God speed and much prosperity and blessing in Picton. Rev. Mr Barker (Ahaura cum Brunner) regretted the departure of the Archdeacon and Mrs Carr, both of whom had rendered him many services. He realised that whoever was minister for Holy Trinity Parish would have hard work ahead of him. The parish was large and really needed a second man to assist; He hoped the Archdeacon and Mrs Carr would find fresh work and encouragements awaiting them in Picton. Mr Smart, on ‘behalf of the parishioners then asked the Archdeacon to accept a well filled purse, as a parting gift from the congregation. He hoped a portion of the money would be spent in the purchase of some article of furniture for the new Vicarage at Picton. He also handed Mrs Carr an umbrella, as an appreciation for her work in the Ladies’ Auxiliary Guild. Archdeacon Carr, who on .rising, was greeted with three cheers, expressed his thanks to the parishioners for their attendance in such large numbers, and for their very acceptable gift. He had appreciated the many kindnesses he had received from the people of the parish during his incumbency in Greymouth. He reminded them that he considered it his first duty to minister to the sick. Owing to the scattered nature of the parish, his work of getting into touch with the congregation had not been easy. Really, a curate was required to assist the vicar. He had made it

his duty to assist the young people, and to this end, always devoted some portion of the morning service to addressing them. He desired to thank those who had stood loyally by him. They had had their share of the little trials which are common to most churches. He paid a tribute to the good services rendered by Miss Parfitt (organist), F. Smith (choirmaster), Mr 1. Leach (S.S. Superintendent), Mr Hissel (Leader of, the Men’s Bible class), Mrs Wray (Girls’ Bible class), and all others who had identified themselves with the work of the church. The finance of the church was always a more or less serious concern of the minister. So far as Holy Trinity was concerned, he found that if every householdei’ would give a shilling a week, regularly, a weekly income of £25 -would be forthcoming, and there would be no difficulty about finance. He believed in direct giving. If there was nothing to trouble the vicar on the finlancial side, he could devote more attention > to the spiritual side of his work. The parishioners had some big things ahead of them. There was the building of the new Sunday school, a new organ, a new church. The site was to be either where the present church now stood or up on the Tainui Street section, but as promised, nothing would be done about the site, until the congregation had had the opportunity of giving its opinion through the medium of a referendum. Eighteen months ago he had asked the Bishop to relieve him of Greymouth, owing to the condition of his and Mrs Carr’s health. Throughout his ministry, he had never asked for a church, but had always awaited the pleasure of the Bishop. He hoped the blessing of God be with the parishioners, and that'the people would rally round their new Vicar.

Mrs Carr expressed her thanks for the gift from the Ladies’ Auxiliary Guild. She thanked them for all their kindnesses. She had made many good friends in Greymouth.

During the evening a programme of musical and other items was given, those taking part being Misses Smith (pianoforte duet), Misses Ellison and B. Adkins (songs), M. Parfitt (recitals), Misses Drake and Adkins (vocal duet), M. Coburn (violin solo), Messrs J. Hadlund (song), and J. Smith (recitals). The accompanists were Misses M. Parfitt, B. Drake, D. Broad.

After the programme was concluded, supper was handed round, and an hour spent in social intercourse. Apologies for absence were received from Rev. J. W. Bloyce, Ensign Green, Messrs W. R. Kettle, A. V. Olliver, I. Leach, W. R. Smythe, and Mrs Parfitt Senr. After the social in Trinity Hall, the Archdeacon was met by the members of Trinity ■ Institute, when the President, Mr Bush, presented the Archdeacon with an Eversharp pencil. In doing so, he thanked the Archdeacon for his assistance to the Institute as its Patron, and for the interest he had always' taken in the teams for the Messrs A. L. McKay (Sec.), G. Winchester and Fairhall, endorsed the remarks of the President. Archdeacon Carr expressed his thanks for the gift and kind thought behind it. He had always been interested in the activities of the Institute, and hoped the high standard reached by its members at Competitions, would be maintained.

Chatting with Archdeacon Carr, a “Star” reporter learned that the method of filling the vacancy in the ministry of the church was, under the new rules, that the Bishop would meet a Board of Nominators together with three representatives of the parish concerned. The names of three ministers would be submitted and a selection made. The Bishop of Nelson (Dr Sadlier) would shortly visit Greymouth for the purpose. “Of course,” said the Archdeacon, “my going away necessitates my resigning the Archdeaconate of Mawhera.” He will therefore revert to his former status as Canon of Nelson Cathedral.