VALEDICTORY

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 April 1938, Page 4

VALEDICTORY

REV. AND MRS AV. A. BEAUMONT. On the evening of April 19, at the old Vicarage/ Wallsend, the parishoners of St. Saviour’s Church gathered to bid farewell to Rev. and Mrs AV. A. Beaumont, who are to depart for the parish of Cheviot, on the East Coast. A programme of musical and elocutionary items was provided, and after supper, which was tastefully arranged, and provided by the St. Saviour's ’Guild, a' presentation was made of a wallet of notes, to the Vicar, by the Chairman, Mr R. R. Smith, who in his speech, regretted the departure of their Vicar, speaking highly of his work, and' the esteem in which he is held in the parish of Bruunerton. In asking the Vicar to accept their token of regard, he desired the guests of the evening to think of them, as they would be thinking of him and his future workVen. Archdeacon Jermyn, who was present, brought greetings from the Holy Trinity Parish of Greymouth. He voiced the regret of his people at the departure of Mr and Mrs Beaumont, and remarked that he knew the Vicar’s name would be a name that would be written on the pages of the history of the Diocese. He wished them every blessing and success in theii> new sphere, and assured them of the prayers and remembrances of all. In closing, the Archdeacon mentioned that he hoped that the Vicar would have more home life in his new parish, as the Grey Valley meant very little spare time owing to the tremendous amount of travelling. The Vicar, he said, had not spared himself, and had carried out his duties faithfully in every way, having at one time worked himself to a standstill and a serious breakdown. He again wished their departing guests all the best wishes possible, and said that the future of the Vicar would be followed with great interest by all. as their Vicar was held in high esteem by the Bishop and the Diocese.

Rev. AV. Osborne-Brown brought greetings from the former parishioners of Mr Beaumont, and their good wishes of God speed to both himself and Mrs Beaumont. He said that Mr Bailment’s name would never be forgotten in the parishes of Cobden and Runanga, as his work and sincerity bad left such a. great impression on the people one and all- His work there was a monument to him for all time. He regretted that, time did not allow of a, farewell being arranged at Cobden or Runanga, but had it been possible the folk there would have been more than pleased to have them back to wish them their good wishes and farewell.

Air Arnold Knowles, representing Blackball, tendered greetings from that parish and said how pleased he was to be present and bring from Blackball the good wishes of the folk there. He expressed the esteem in which the guests of the evening were heki in Blackball, and regretted most sincerely the departure of Rev. and Airs Beaumont, and that their work in tUe district which he represented would always be remembered. The Vicar, in his reply thanked the people for their constancy and devotion in their church life during his ministry among them. Much had been done by them, notably the restoration ■ and partial re-furnishing of the church. He felt it most difficult tc express in words what Mrs Beaumont and himself felt at the great many kidnesses shown to them at all times. Leaving them with the sincerest regret, he would for all time remembertheir generosity at the time of his illness, and thanked those by name who had been real bulwarks of the church during the past period of years. Alenticning the fact that during his ministry the travelling had been very trying, he mentioned that, roughly, the number of miles travelled for services would encircle the globe about two and a-half times. Although his transter would mean a severance from good friends, it would mean that the travel necessary in the new parish of his apopintment would be much less. He had learned much in the Grey Valley parish, aud would carry away memories of consecrated lives who would still carry on ably the work of the Alaster.

The programme of musical aud other items were rendered by Air A. Knowles, accompanist, Aliss Ada Smeaton (elocution), Air Mahon songs, Rev. Beaumont songs, Air R. R. Smith songs- Musical honours were played by IVIr Knowles. The function closed by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and “God be with you till we meet again.”

The Vicar’s farewell service on Sunday, April 24, was largely attended at St. Saviour’s Church, at which service he commended to the people the incoming lay-reader, Air K. Bendall, of Christchurch, asking that the co-operation and help that had always been extended to himself might be given to his successor. KOTUKU. . At the close of the monthly Anglican service ,at Kotuku, Rev. W. A. Beaumont was farewelled. Air Frank Rowse bid their departing guest farewell, and voiced the regret of the people of Kotuku at his departure, and asked the Vicar to accept, on behalf of the Kotuku parishioners, a wallet of notes, as a token of their esteem and -gratitude for his live years’ work among them. Mr Beaumont thanked the parishioners for their kindness to. him during his period of time as their minister, and also for the kindly sentiments expressed that evening in the gift to Airs Beaumont and himself. He said ho could never forget the kindly and friendly fellowship that had always existed at Kotuku, and he thanked them for their loyalty to the church and to himself, remarking that whatever the weather there had always been a faithful band always present at the services.

ROTO-MANU. After the bi-monthly service at the church at Roto-Manu, the opportunity arose to farewell Mr Beaumont. After the benediction, Mr J. Pitman (sen.) asked the minister to accept a wallet of notes in deep and sincere appreciation of his worthy services as one oi the ministers connected with the Roto-Manu Church. Referring to the work of Mr Beaumont, he said that not only were they losing a faithful ractor and minister of the Gospel, they were losing a dear friend. During; his term of office, he had endeared Mmself to. all the people both inside ana outside , of the church. The speaker personally would 1 miss the

kindly fellowship and sincerity of pur-r-cse of Mr Beaumont, ami in handing the present asked 'that something be in rebased with it. that could be used in the work of the ministry, as a reminder of their love and a token ol their esteem, and hoped that it would remind the minister of the happy Christian fellowship reciprocated by each, while their minister at RotoAlanu. Mr Alex. Graham expressed regret at the departure of Mr Beaumont and hoped' the good work he had done at '.’.oto-Manu might be to them always reminder of the high callingAir XV. Vallance also testified to the sincerity of the/ character of the derailing minister and of the sterling character of his work in the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Air Baty made mention of the fact that they were losing a friend as well as a minister, and sajd the same sincere spirit that was manifest at the services the minister conducted had always been seen in his outside work and contacts. He sincerely regretted the removal from their midst of so popular and so sincere a minister of Christ, who had been to him a fingerpost pointing to the High Way. lii reply, Alr Beaumont said he wished it had been a meeting of welcome instead of farewell. He had been helped in unnumbered ways by the spirtiual assistance he had always received from the, Roto-Alanu Church members ,and was more pleased than he could say that Mr J. Pitman had keen chosen to make -the presentation. He had always received the utmost inspiration, from the Christian life of this, his old friend. Mr Beaumont said lie had been privileged to walk in the footsteps of some great members of I the ministry in the Anglican Church, and mentioned Archdeacon Dart and his work in the Grey Valley, also Archdeacon York and “Tommy Fielder Taylor,” the man of whom it has been said “he went about doing good,” but he went around on crutches. If he (Air Beaumont) bad upheld the traditions set forward by these men of God, in even the smallest way, he would feel that his ministry had not been in vain.

The service, which was largely attended by all the district, concluded with the singing of "God be with you” and the blessing.