DEAN OF NELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 23 December 1933, Page 2

DEAN OF NELSON

A FAREWELL GATHERING WARM TRIBUTES PAID 0 ATI IE DRAI i T ARISHIO NE US Many were the expressions of regret voiced last night in the Marsden Library on the occasion of a farewell to the Dean of Nelson (the Very Uev. H. J. Raymer) and Mrs Raymer, prior to their departure for England in January. In spite of the rain, a large and representative gathering of parishioners assembled to fill the library to capacity. Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M. took, the chair.

DEEP SPIRITUAL SENSE In his opening address the chairman said that his dominant emotion was a feeling of pain that the parishioners were present to bid farewell to the Dean and Mrs Raymer, but this was somewhat tempered in that an opportunity was offered of paying tribute to the Dean for his sterling qualities. As vicar’s churchwarden, continued Mr Maunsell, he perhaps knew the Dean more intimately than most of those present, and he said in all sincerity that the Dean was one of most truly spirituallyminded men he had ever had: the good fortune to meet. He appreciated his sermons as ho knew the Dean practised in life what he preached from the pulpit. Ilis interest in worldly affairs which concerned himself was in inverse ratio to his devotion to things spiritual. The Dean was, however, no idealist. In the administration of parochial business affairs he had proved himself the possessor of a practical and logical mind. “I have learned to admire him as a vicar, a man, and a friend,” concluded the chairman, “Space may terminate the friendships he has made, but time will never efface the memory of them.”

UNUSUAL ABILITY “The Dean has shown himself both scholarly and thoughtful,” said the Bishop of Nelson (the Rt. Rev. Dr. Sadlier) in paying a tribute from the Bishop’s point of view.It was possible to be a scholar, yet a brilliant scholar was not always thoughtful. The Dean, however, had shown his work as a scholar and one who could relate the facts he knew well and come to conclusions upon them. He was not only scholarly, continued Dr. Sadlier, but he saw the trend of things. The Bishop expressed his gratitude to the Dean for his sense of order. He had shown himself to be a man with an orderly mind, yet a mind without fussiness, a thing they both deplored. This orderliness was known to the public in the way he conducted the services and generally helped them. “I have heard few sermons of his,” the Bishop added, “but those I did hear I found instructive and helpful. The Dean has shown himself to be a Christlike man. Never have I heard a, complaint or retort from him—he has shown the spirit of Christ, and for this reason I am glad to pay this tribute to him.” “I am sure that i" Mrs Raymer the Dean has had a real helper and co-work-er. Looking back on days here in Nelson I know they will be assured of the sincere affection of those they leave behind. Among those who will always pay tribute to them I place the retiring Bishop of Nelson.”

INTEREST IN CIVIC AFFAIRS “The times that I have met the Dean,” said the Mayor of Nelson (Mr W. J. Moffatt) “have been occasions when he has come forward to demonstrate his practical Christianity. (Applause.) This he has done in a modest, quiet and retiring manner. Tie gave great help and guidance to the City Relief Committee, and members of that committee, together with all those with whom he came in contact, pay a tribute to him.

“The Dean has not only done his duty as a member of the committee, but has gone out of his way in some cases to do all that he could as a member of our committee and as a Christian. We all recognised that in him we had a man ot experience and a man of value with something to contribute. I may sincerely say that all who have had any connection with our relief activities will regret the departure of Dean Raymer from this city. (Applause.) I personally value him highly, and hold him in high esteem and greatly regret his departure. Mrs Raymer I do not even know. In fact,” the Mayor added with a smile, “although she is on the platform with me to-night, I have never been introduced to her. (Laughter.) However I take the testimony of the others for her, and as this is the Christmas season, we extend to them the season’s greetings.”

TRIBUTES FROM THE LADIES On behalf of the lady workers of the .Cathedral parish, Miss J. Tomlinson mentioned that Mrs Raymer had been connected with all the other activities of the parish. She. had done fine work in the Wood district, and particularly in the Sunday school there. Owing to her influence the Deanery had been a very happy place for the Ladies’ Working Party. Mrs Raymer had always taken her share of the Flower Guild work, and various young people’s activities. I am sure we all feel we would like to wish her God-speed to the Old Country where we should all occasionally like to be,” she concluded.

In making a presentation to the Dean anj Mrs Raymer, the People’s Warden (Mr W. B. Pitt) thanked them for their help to him in his duties—help always willingly and cheerfully given. This tribute was all he could pay, as his feelings had been eloquently voiced by previous speakers.

THE DEAN’S REPLY The Dean, in rising to reply, was received with prolonged applause. He said that it was impossible for him adequately to express his own thanks and the thanks of Mrs Raymer for the kind gifts they had received, and even more for the very kind things which had been said. He felt that as far as he was concerned they were not fully deserved, although it was different in regard to Mrs Raymer. This evening’s splendid gathering, despite the weather, was a culmination of the continuous kindness they had received during their stay in Nelson, They appreciated very much the real affection which lay behind it, and he knew what work this gathering and presentation had entailed. He appreciated very much the presence of the Bishop and the Mayor. The Bishop had always been most kind and helpful, and no one could know him intimately without coming to love him. It did not need him to tell them what they were losing in their Bishop. He congratulated the Mayor on the relief to his anxieties which the rain must have brought, and went on to speak of the happiness it had been to hiin to work on the Unemployment Committee, and to pay a tribute to the Mayor and to tile members of that committee. lie had found in Nelson a warmth of friendship and fellowship from all classes of the community, and it was with real regret that lie was leaving. One got closer to people in a small community such as this, and found the real good there is in human nature,

and it w!s the job of the Church to draw this out and to help people to be then’ best. There was an old French proverb, “tout comprendre est tout pardouner” (to understand all is to. pardon all) and there was a good deal of truth 'We speaker could not say all he felt about the chairman (for one thing he might be had up if he accused him ot going beyond the truth), but he had found in Mr Maunsell not only a staunch helper and faithful church warden but a true friend. He paid a tribute to the loyal help of Mr Plumb and his work amongst the young people, and to all the willing help, and co-operation both he and Mrs Raymer had received from the workers in the parish. They were making it very hard for U em both to le*'e this beauthul country with its splendid people, whom one all Ihe more wanted to see serving God and finding then true happiness thus. In conclusion lie appealed to them to back up their new vicar and work loyally with him. Especially did be hope they would help him to get a new Sunday school building. He longed to see the Cathedral Parish taking its rightful place not of privilege but of service, not confining itself to its own parochial concerns, but helping and influencing the common life of the city. He was glad they were foremost in missionary work, and he hoped they would continue and increase, but he hoped also they would help to sweeten, purify and uplift their own community. He quoted some words written by Queen Mary years ago: “If each one in his measure would do a brother’s part, To cast a ray of sunlight into his brother’s heart, How changed would he our country, how changed would be our poor, And then might Merrie England deserve her name once more.” Ho hade them carry that out and wished them God’s blessing. Before refreshments were served a few musical items completed the evening’s proceedings. The items, arranged by Mr H. S. Claughton, were contributed by Miss Mavis Mr F. W. Hudgins (recitation), Sir Bourne, and Mr D. Bishop. After this part of the proceedings the evening came to a close with refreshments served by the ladies’ committee.

RESOLUTION BY CHURCHWARDENS AND VESTRY The following resolution was passed by the churchwardens and vestry of Nelson Cathedral recently: “The church wardens and vestry of the Cathedral Parish of Nelson desire to place on record their deep appreciation of the devoted spiritual service to the parish rendered by the Very Reverend Dean H. J. Raymer. They pay tribute to him for the Christian spirited sympathy he has extended to parishioners in sickness, and to those in.need; to the special attention he has given to the spiritual welfare of the children, and his assiduous attention to the business affairs of the parish. On the eve of his departure, which they sincerely regret, they earnestly hope that the Dean and Mrs Raymer may long prosper in good health and comfort in their beloved Homeland.”