AN EXEMPLARY PASTOR.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2090, 31 January 1896, Page 5

AN EXEMPLARY PASTOR.

The Rev. D. 0. Hampton, formerly pastor for more than seven years at 8t Peter's Anglican Church, Queenstown, has just severed hia connection with Milton parish, the communion of which have had the blessings of his ministration for some si* years—his successor being the Rev. Mr Christian, of Riverton, and his new parish, Abbotsford, near Dunedin. Mr Hampton and his amiable wife were evidently as much esteemed for their good works at Milton as they were when here, and naturally were not allowed to deposit without recognition of their worth in some becoming way. We learn from the Milton 1 Herald ' that when the news was received that the Rev. Mr Hampton was to be removed to the adjoining parish of Abbotsford, a general feeling of regret prevailed, not only among his own congregation, but also throughout the whole town and district, and it was decided to give him a send--08 in the shape of a social, at which was present a numerous and representative gathering of friends from all parts of the surrounding district as well as the town. The 'Herald' says as follows:—"After supper Mr Marryatt came forward and presented the Rev. Mr Hampton with a small tokfn of their esteem and regard, and in doing so he said that during the whole time in which he had acted as church-warden nothing had given him so mach pleasure. At the same time he was extremely sorry that the Rev. Mr Hampton was leaving them. During his residance in Milton he had done his work well and nobly, and he had been ably assisted by his wife. They had done an immense amount of good work, and were ever ready to sacrifice themselves in the interest of the church. The congregation had had away good pastors at St. John's—in fact, all the Church of England ministers rere good men—hut they had never had a better man than Mr Hampton. He hoped he woald live long to enjoy life, but wherever he went, he might always be «nre that he had many friends in Milton who would always be pleased to bear of his welfare.

(The presentation took the form of a very fine electroplated tea and coffee service, on « silver mounted oak tray.) " Mr D. Reid said he bad intended presenting Mr Hampton, on behalf of a few friends, with an easy chair, bat he had received a telegram that afternoon that it had been left behind at the Dunedin railway station. However, he understood that it was a very nice chair, and be would see to it that it was forwarded to Mr Hampton's new home in due course. What Mr Marryatt had just said be oould only endorse. There was one matter however, to * hich he had not referred, aod that was the reason why Mr Hampton was so popular in the parish. It ill became him to natter a man before his face ; but there were certain things which a man might do aod of which all his neighbours knew, although he might not think it. His generous conduct to the poor or distressed in the parish had made it small matter for wonder that he was popular. He could not speak too highly of the goodness of both himself and wife. They had both been known to leave their house at night with delicacies for sKk children, and to remain all night so that the mothers might obtain some sleep. Speaking for himself and his wife he might say that they would never forget the kindness of the rev. gentleman and his wife. It was in a slight way to recompense them for their kindness to humanity that a few friends had decide*] to present the Rev. Mr Hamptoo with an easy chair. He trusted that he would long be spared to use it, to rest his weary limbs after a hard day's work, and he hoped wherever he might go that he would always think of the many friends he left behind him in dear old Toko. " The Rev. D. 0. Hampton said he felt •omewhat at a disadvantage, these presentations being altogether unexpected. Knowlog the state of the parish as be did be had never thought they would try to express

their sympathy for him in this handsome way. *He felt their kindness very much, «1 though he could not express it. At the same limr, ho.vever, he thought they were doing themselves an injustice in one way ami lnm au injustice in auoth. r . They had given him creriit for more th.iu he «<.« mtitled to. If here and ihere lie h;ul doue a little good, that was only his duty. In the past he had only been about half his lime in St. John's parish, and he was not able to do as much mhe would have liked. It was intended, however, that his successor should spend the whole of his time among them, and he would therefore be in a position to do . much good work. Mr Hampton then went i on to give au outline of the steps taken to wards the establishment of the church iu the Taieri district. They had a very small beginning but now they had three new churches, all free of debt, and the subscription of the last, which was only opened on the previous Sunday, was sufficient to put the ground and fences in good order, j Reverting, however, to that evening's proI ueedings, he could only repeat his thanks to them for their kind gifts, which he could assure them took him entirely by surprise. His conscience, however, would not allow him to take to himself one half of what they had said about him. Speaking for Mrs Hampton, also, he could say that she felt the parting as much as he did. In conclusion he had to wish them every happiness, and he hoped he would always hear good of them all. He would only hope that the kind wishes expressed for himself and family would be realised."

The local ' Herald ' publishes a valedictory letter from the Rev. Mr Hampton at his new home, Abbotsford, in which he returns thanks to the many parishioners and friends about Milton for their uniform kindness and courtesy shown to himself and family, which he says " made our sojourn there one long gleam of sunshine, so that we carry away with us the most pleasant memories possible of as peaceful and sober a community as it has ever been our lot to live among. I wish to thank also (he says) the many church workers and other helpers for their hearty co-operation with me in the work there. Through their active readiness, and the kiudness they enlisted from the congregation at large, I think the parish of St John's will take second place to none in the diocese. About six years ago I found the parish almost spiritless, and despairing at the thought of keeping things going. But the result of the combined efforts during that time has proved that God helps those who help themselves. For, besides clearing off debts on current accounts to the extent of about £3O due on my taking charce, painting the parsonage, building buggy shed, m ikiug various other little improvements, paying up all stipends, salaries, insurances, and many other necessary accounts, and contributing Ave Sundays' offerings in tl«« year to diocesan funds, as ordered by Synod, the parish has during that time secuied the remission of a debt of £3OO through the unspeakable kindness of Mr James Finch, to whom the parish of St. John's is forever indebted r it has ako secured a very valuable acre of laud well drained, fenced, and lined—quite a profitable convenience to the vicar ; the ladies j (from their guilds, etc.) have also in hand a sum of £65 towards building a Sunday School; so that, counting up everything, St. John's parish is at least £SOO better off today than it was on my taking charts less than six years ago, besides meeting all necessary outlays unavoidable during all that time."

Mr Hampton concludes that himself aud family are delighted with their new home, which is far superior to St John's vicarage, Milton, but they wanted more grounds. The situation (he remarks) "is central and healthy, and the convenience to town schools and private teachers is the very thing pirt of my family need just now. Besides the relief to myself personally from the coutinual long journeys and the severe exposure is more than I can tell. My steady aim here will be to provide a parsonage for this newly combined district, and anew church at Middle march ; ai»d if I add these within five years from now to the three new churches which 1 have already built in this district, my work here will be done."