CASSELL MEMORIAL

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 19 May 1915, Page 4

CASSELL MEMORIAL

DEDICATION^ OF AN OPtJNAKE

At St. Barnabas' Church at Opunake i* *{¥&&■ terfje c*)ngrßgation^gathered for ;*^^iMtieifesting service on Tuesday i:eyenifi||^^eit His Lordship the Bishop :of ; sWe^ngton dedicated a, beautiful fpntrt6?tb.e memory of "the late Arch-v deacon Cassell, formerly Vicar of Hawera and Archdeacon of- Waitotara, The, service -consisted of part of the evensong said by ■ the Rev. 0. M. Stent, Vicar of Opunake, the Rev. A, T. B. Page and Rev, W. Grant-Cowen reading the lessons. The music was sung by the clioir, and went very well indeed, the hymns and canticles being especially bright and devotional. Mrs Feaver presided at the organ. Mr .Chambers, one of the wardens, then read the petition for dedication, and the Bishop replied. "I am willing to dedicate the font in accordance with yuor petition." The fine hymn, "Not tor our sins alone Thy mercy, Lord, we-sue," was then sung kneeling", and the dedication ceremony was then completed. His Lordship the Bishop formally dedicated the font in these impressive words: "In the faith of Jesus Christ we dedicate this font to the glory of God and in memory of his servant James Robert Cassell, some time Vicar of Hawera and Archdeacon of Waitotarav In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." Kymn 566, "Members of Christ are we,"' was then sung with deep devotion and true spirit by the girls of the choir, who had been specially trained for the ceremony, and who showed themselves bv their singing^ real credit to their instructress. His Lordship then preached an impressive sermon' from the words of Hebrews .XIII, v. 7-8: . "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to-day and for ever." He first reminded "his hearers of the original meaning of the word "conversation," which was "conduct or hfe " and was always so used in the Bible. The- Apostle was exhorting the Hebrews to follow their leaders in their faith shown by their martyrdom, just «s a man's life nowadays may be shown, by his glorious death on the battlefield.. He stressed the fact that Christianity is beyond all others a personal reiigion. In Mohammedanism, Judaism or Buddhism, if the leader were taken away the religion still remains, but take Christ from Christianity and what remains ? The message of Christianity is embodied in Christ. When. He revealed it to His disciples it was embodied in them as living persons, and so, working from person to person, ( it was handed down. Each, filled and permeated with His spirit, was anxious to bless and help. Living men wereChrist's epistles to hand down his message through the Christian ages. I How fitting, therefore, that we should commemorate these saints, who have excelled in the Christian life and been great examples of His life. So, added the preacher, it was fitting that they , should have that commemoration ser-1 vice that night. He hoped that the ! font would be a visible memorial from year to year, saying, as it were, to all who came to church: "Remember the leader who is faithful,' follow him." All could not be archdeacons; each man must live his own life, but he could bring into that life something of the faith m God and the trust shown in the lowly humble sumbission to God's will and devotion to Christ shown by him whose memory they revered that night. It was true of James Robert Gassell that he set an example of life and character that showed strong faith and trust and readiness to do God's will "ft was my privilege," said His Lordship, "to have had his friendship, i iam glad to have known him. He had' an influence passing from soul to soul. \ borne there are who have a bad influ- ' ence and bring out the worst in one. He was one of those whose influenco was to bring out the best in one. It was true of him who we commemorate! that everyone was the better for hav- ' ing known him. Knowing him, it was ! easier to be good. If I know anything! of James Robert Cassell, I feel that he S knows what we are doing, and that Ine so humble, so modest, so free from self-assertion would say that whatever of good he was able to do was due ito Canst."

The hymn, "Ten thousand times ten thousand" was then sung, and the pronouncing of the Benediction by the Bishop concluded a most interesting and impressive service. The font is a very neat, simple piece of workmanship. It stands about three feet high, and is made of Oamaru ?<f U?'« °, n one side is the inscrpition 1.H.5.," and on the other a brass tablet, inscribed thus:—

IN Memoriam. JAMES ROBERT CASSELL, Oar Archdeacon. 1912-1915. 4 At Rest. February 8, 1915.

After the service visitors and friends were entertained by the Opunake ladies to light supper. Mr Stent and Mr Chambers expressed the thanks of the church people of Opunake to his Lordship the Bishop, to the visiting clergy, and to the Hawera people who had come out specially to assist. Mr GrantlCowen briefly replied .Then the National Anthem was sung, the Bene-di*ti-cn was pronounced, and the gathering dispersedr