ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17090, 23 August 1917, Page 6

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH

CANON CURZON-SIGGERS'S MINISTRY. St. Matthew's parish celebrated yesterday tho completion of 21 years oi Canon OiuzonSiggers's ministry by special services and a meeting oi parishioners, at which a presentation of a handsomj sum of money was made to him. Mr \V. T. Taiboys, as parish ioners' churchwarden, would have made tho presentation, but owing to being unavoidably absent lro:n Dimedin, wroio tho following letter, which was read: —"I would not like this occasion to pass without bearing testimony to the invaluable services you itavo rendered to tho church and diocese. 1 wish to congratulate you on tho success of your ministry during the long' period. There have been many changes, and some of our best men and women havebeen removed by death or otherwise. You have had your joys end sorrows. Your son has grown up to manhood, and is now iigntjjg lor his country, alter having passed very auceessful examinations enabling him to Uku his place as one of tho legal profession. Your wife, after working so many years in the parish, was cailed to her heavenly home after years of patient suffering. which did not prevent her taking her part in all the services ol the church almost bo tho last. You yourself, with varied health, have done groai work in the church and diocese, and although many times unfit lor the services, have never allowed any physical weakness to prevent your taking tnose services. 'Hie financial position of the parish has improved by your business ability, and is now free of debt, whereas when you took charge of the parish the liability was over throe thousand pounds. Tho success of the church financially is duo to your generosity m relusuig to take more in the way ol stipend than a very limited amount, preferring, rather, that what should have come to you in the way oi s.ipend should be paid to a curate or to missions. Your ability as a preacher ia second to none in the diocese, and bus imp-roved the religious leenng of the parish and tho solemnity of the services;' and made the church a success. I am proud of my position as chiirch warden, as it would be hard to find a more loyal congregation to tho church and to yourself. With all the members of the church, I trust you will be long spared to carry on your good work." At evensong the Ven. Archdeacon Richards preached from tho text 1 Corinthians iv, 1, setting forth the attributes which the Apostle St. Paul laid down as being tho true marks of a faithful minister of God. H-e made feeling reference to the devoted work of the vicar's late wife, and urgc-d the congregation to re-conseorato themselves to the work of tho church as the most fitting thanksgiving for the many blessings received during the vicar's incumbency.

The presentation was made to Canon Curzon-Siggers by Mr Churchwarden Ingram, wno, after thanking Archdeacon Richards for his kindness in coming to preach on that occasion, said that he would not refer again to the references to the -.-■' fir's work contained in Mr Talboys's letter, but would call attention to the fact that uur.iig thj vicar's ministry, through tho offerings of tho oongri gation, he had beautified the interior of the church, having been given a free hand to do so. Some £3030 nad been raised by him for that purpose. exclusive of the fine peal of bells which they had. When the vicar arrived the interior of the church was a thing with which all were dissatisfied, but now it was beautiful, and admired by all. The vicar had practically created the military chaplain's work, in Otago, a.s he was the first and, for a tiino, the only chaplain to the forces here, whilst his training liad secured for the forces tho excellent work of Chaplain BushKin !r before and during- .the war. Their church was the first to have a curate in the mission field, which others have since copied. Tho succcss of paying off the debt some 16 years ago led to so many inquiries from all parts of Australasia that a special edition of the scheme had to be printed in order to sat'sfy inquirers, who had in many cases successfully copied it. Tho Vicar Feelingly replied, thanking the membrrs of the congregation for the many kindnesses extended to him and for their token of appreciation.