ST. PAUL’S CATTHEDRAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21642, 12 May 1932, Page 13

ST. PAUL’S CATTHEDRAL

RECEPTION TO REV. DEAN CRUICKSHANK A large number of parishioners assembled in St. Paul's Schoolroom last night on the occasion of a reception to the Rev. Dean Cruickshank and Mrs Cruickshank, The dean was recently instituted as vicar of the cathedral district of St. Paul, Dunedin, and, as dean of the Cathedral, the first time in the history of the Cathedral that the two offices have been held by one person. Bishop Richards, who presided, extended a very hearty welcome to Dean Cruickshank, and said tiiat he would find the citizens of Dunedin very happy people to be among. The dean had come from the parish of Remuera, and lie (the bishop) had seen him there 46 years ago. Their guest had had the courage later to go back to that charge where nil his little peccadilloes must have been known, and had won the hearts of the people. However, he had heard the Master’s call, the speaker felt, and had seen what a tremendous amount could be done for the Lord in Dunedin. He hoped that the bond of sympathy which already existed between the dean and the people would be immeasurably strengthened as time went on.

The next speaker was Dr Merrington, who declared that in St. Paul’s Cathedral the Church of England people had a beautiful edifice devoted to the worship of God, and it was essential that they should have a man who was worthy of the church. They were to be congratulated on having secured the services of Dean Cruickshank, and he hoped that his ministry would be worthy of tiie great cause he hud at heart, ft was sometimes said that the influence of the Church was waning, but he did not believe it. If they would look back into the past they would find that, apart from the prevailing depression, tilings had been worse from a religious and moral point of view many times than they were to-day. Those present, said Dr Merrington, had staged a typical Dunedin welcome to the dean, and he would find that the people of this city, although not demonstrative, had very warm hearts and would prove genuine and loyal friends. He hoped that during hie stay in Dunedin the dean would find that he was surrounded by warm friends and supporters, and that the work of God would advance apace. Archdeacon Fitchett said he wished to inform Dean Cruickshank that the welcome the clergy extended was a genuine and hearty one. They felt that his leadership among them would be characterised by wisdom and vigour, and they hoped that the readiness of their response to that leadership would prove to be entirely satisfactory to him. A welcome on behalf of the Methodists of the city and also of the Council of Christian Congregations was offered by the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse, while Mr F. M. Oldham expressed the pleasure of the members of the Cathedral Chapter at having the dean among them. In reply, Dean Cruickshank said that for the present both Mrs pruiekshank and he did feel strangers. They were Aucklanders through and through, and one could not leave an old diocese after 23 years’ residence without a pang of regret, but after the welcome they had received thev both felt that the change was well worth while. He thought, the dean continued, that the bishop’s name, instead of Isaac Dunedin, should have been Isaac Walton, as he had baited his line well in putting in an appeal for St. Paul’s. The bishop had called in the name of duty, which was undeniable. There was tremendous work to be done in St. Paul s, and he felt that with the assistance oi the parishioners that work would be done. If be could in any way justify the many things that had been said about him that night he would be quite happy to spend the rest of his life in their service. He did not claim to be clever, but both he and Mrs Cruickshank would work. He was primarily the vicar of the parish, but as they had appointed him as dean he would try to fill the office with the dignity necessary to the post. During the evening songs were rendered by Mrs Hill {with a violin obbligato by Miss N. Garland), Miss James, and Master. Coombes, Mr E. Heywood was the accompanist A vote of thanks was accorded the ladies who provided supper.