Parishioners Recall The Good Old Days

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 231, 1 October 1935, Page 3

Parishioners Recall The Good Old Days

JUBILEE TEA AT ALL SAINTS’ Several liundrods of the parishioners who have long been actively associated with tho lifo of All Saints' parish gathered last night for the tea which was one of tho major functions in the celebration of the diamond jubilee. It was an excellent occasion for reminiscence, and thoso present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Among tho visitors wore Bight llev. Dr. G. H. Sprott, Bishop of Wellington, and Archdeacon J. B. Young, of Wanganui.

A welcome was extended by Canon G. Y. Woodward, the vicar, who presided.

Bishop Sprott said ho had thoroughly enjoyed his quarter of a century of association with All Saints’. It was about 40 years ago —when ho was a vicar in Wellington—that ho paid his first visit to All Saints’. The old days had been served by men of different gifts and abilities, but tho vicars of All Saints ’ had been, in all the bishop’s experience of it, aiiko in their faith and earnestness. The past deserved lull congratulation; for tho future he extended best wishes to tho parish.

The Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) expressed congratulations to tho on the milestone it had reached. The growth was symbolic of the growth of the city, and it was right that the church should march forward, with thG social progress of tho community. The early pioneers had set a peorless example of devotion to church activity. Mr. Mansford described Ms experiences as a lay reader who had received his license from Bishop (Sprott. History repeats itself, said Mr. Mansford. Tho example of tho early days was a magnificent one, but it could be emulated' by parishioners if they -would abide by the Christian faith and give loyal service to tho church.

The Mayor concluded with congratulations to Bishop Sprott on tho unique qualities of his labours for the diocese, and expressed tho hope that Bishop and Mrs. .Sprott would for many years be spared to enjoy the fruits of their labours.

Archdeacon Young recalled his youthful associations with All Saints', He had seen its life—and the life of the town—grow amazingly. The influence of the church on the community had been splendid in the past, and he hoped it would bo no less so for the future. Mr. J. Kenwick thanked all who had assisted in running the function, which had been no light .task. Assistance •had been profferod in many difiieront ways.

Mr. Bonwick, on whom had fallen the heaviest burden of arranging the dinner, read apologies from a number who were unable to attend. Parishioners from .various parts of the North and South Islands sent their felicitations on the dignity .the church has attained. It was a great privilege for ,tho pioneers and their descendants to think of tho part they had taken in building a new young nation, said Mr, 0. Monrad. New Zealand was famous for-its contribution to tho material progress of the Empire. But more than material goods were essential. A spiritual wealth was needed, and all praiso was due to those who founded a church and struggled against difficulties to preserve and expand it. There had been many, headed by tho late Mr. Alan Sherman, Captain Hewitt, Mr. and Mrs. Snelson, and others, who gave unstintingly to the establishment of All Saints The parents of Archdeacon Young were also j>rominent in the work. It was to bo hoped their successors would realise tho paramount need to maintain their adherenco ,to spiritual ideals.

Mr. R. S. Abraham, one of the oldest members of the congregation now alive, added his contribution, going back to Ms arrival in 1884. It took six hours to reach Palmerston North from Bulls. Those were days of hard work and little leisure, and vicars had a particularly strenuous time cycling to remote congregations. To-day, after astounding progress, All Saints’ had one of the finest churches in aDy provincial parish in New Zealand, a line organ and a lino organist, Tho community owed much to tho old toilers and should be thankful for tho lino settlers who had left their endowment. Mr. P. S. Larcomb referred to some of tho past history of All Saints'; .the first church and the building of the second, for which his father was architect. Mr. Larcomb's reminiscences of a young man’s activities of tho parish were much appreciated. There was, he concluded, a great ‘future not only for tho town, but for All Saints’. A period roll-call of parisMonors was -then taken. Three responses wero made by thoso who were in tho district before 1875. They wero Mrs. A. Urry, Mr. E. E. Perrin and Mr, J. Batcholar.

Mr. J. Batchelar recalled the early choirboys’ enterprises and tho contribution they made to church activities.

Mr. H. G. Bagnall voiced the appreciation of the parish at the presence of the Bishop, and the ho-pe that ho would long be spared.

Mr. J. Ax added to the drain of reminiscences with particular reference to the ministry of Mr. Harvey, There was no higher form of service than labours in church activity, declared Mr. Ax, who expressed regret that the lato Mr. Alan Sherman had not survived to enter into the jubilee services. Sister Heni Park added her tribute to the past vicars—Mr. Hunt, Mr. Harper, and others. The answer to their prayers was in the way workers from All Saints’ who had gone afar to various fields of church labour. The parish had a wonderful reputation in New Zealand; might that reputation be strengthened in the future. Successful Youth Rally.

A most successful youth rally was also held last evening. Deaconess Heni Park, of the Christchurch Sunday School staff, and formerly of tho Ail Saints' staff, gave the address, which proved of groat inspiration. Bible class members, Sunday School leaders, Scouts, and thoso interested in all phases of youth work attended in good numbers, contributing t-o the success of the gathering,