PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13979, 8 January 1916, Page 7

PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH.

SOCIAL MATHER-ING.

FAiiEWELL PRESENTATIONS AND

A WELCOME

A largely attended, gathering of the parishioners of Christ Church took place at the School of Music last evening for,th© pju-pose of bidding farewell to their late vicar, the Yen. Archdeacon J. P. Kcmpthorne, v.ho has been appointed to the archdeaconry of Waimea, and Mrs Kempthorne, and at* the same timo extending to the ne^t' vicar, the Rev: Dr. Weeks, and Mrs Weeks, a welcome to the parish. Upon the platform, which vras tastefully decorated with palms, evergreens, and pink and blue hydrangeas, were the Bishop of Nelson, Bishop and Mrs Mules, Arclideacon and Mrs Kempthorne, the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Weeks, th© Hon. A. T. Maginnity, M.L.C. (Chancellor of the Diocese), and the churchwardens vestrymen of the Cathedral.' Mrs Sadlier was rumble., to be present, owinjj; to indisposition. The proceedingK opened with the singino- of tho National Aiit'ioin, uftor which Mr If. M. Field, senior churchwarden, 'asked the'-Her. Mi. Maginnity to preside. At the same time he took the opportunity, on behalf of the vestry, of than king-the Yen. Archdeacon Kemptliovno for all he had done' for the church which he had been their vicar, and wishing. him every success ai his new sphere".'-; iix B'ield also welcomed t.he Rev. Dr. Weeks,.'and: trusted •that his labours would-be attended with the greatest success. (Applause.) Tbe Hon. Mr. Maginnity, in taking the chair, thanked the vestry for the honour they had done him in asking him to preside'on such an important and auspicious neea.sion. Referring to tho departure of Archdeacon Kempthorne, he said thoy had met to bid him farewell. Although leaving them on promotion, ho was really only going nestdoor, to one of tire most charming places in tho district. Love and unui mini shed esteem would always remain in their'hearts for him and his. Their late vicar had lived amongst them for over a quarter of a century, i-ir-d it was a wrench to know that ho and Mrs Komptiiorno were leiavmg tl-em. At. their hands they had always received the- greatest kindness. Arcndeacon Kempthorne was still full or good years of service, ar.dhe hoped lie would live- lontj in his charming honn", with r.ll the pleasures that Providence could .show er upon -him. He hoped thathe would be preserved with healta and happiness, and that all success would 'attand their late, 'vicar in 1 is new office, and that he would, render great service to his charge: that was_their~just conclusion and their earnest hope..: Jie then asked- Aixhdeacon .-/Kempthorn© to accept from-tlie. parishioners a •■wpll-

filled wallet, and from ihe choir a handsome inkstand. Ho also asked 31 rs Kempthorne to accept from the parishioners a purse, and the Misses <J. ant! J Konipthorne to accept from tho choir. <aeli- a lady's handbag. Mr MagiiMiity' Ih'->n introdured tho Kcv. Dr. Wcoks ()vho ho said caino with tihe highest <-iccifntials) und Mrs Weeks; ana expressed the"earnest hcjie thai tluy *\'ould live Jong and hapjjily j,i Ljio jiarisii of Cluist Church. Ivisliop Sad tier, who was the; nCKfc speaker, said ho felt like a visitor at v family gathering. Referring to Archdeacon Kompt.h.orno, he said that during tho three and a half years he hud been"! Bishop oif the diocese, he had found him an experienced, syjn]>athetic, and affectionate co-worker, lie had \,imn vicar of the parish for nearly thirty years, and from what he had heard. Archdeacon Kempthorne. had always done- his work faithfully and devotedly during that time. His services he (Mi«o Bishop) valued beyond measure, and for that reason lie desired the benefit of his'experience and help in the archdeaconry of Waimea. He paid a high tribute to Mrs Kempthorne. 'and the Kempthorn© family, and said that'he put his luust in the new archdeacon and know that that trust would be honoured. (Applause.) ' Tie. then extended a. cordial welcome to the Rev. Dr. Weeks, Mrs Weeks, yud family. He was sure the parishioners would find their new vicar, iirst, a man of God, and a largcliearted and sympathetic pastor. He t-rustfid thai, the stay of Dv. W-colcs and his family hi Nelson would be happy and ble.ssed (Applause.)

Bishop Mules referred to his long personal association with Archdeacon Kempthorne-, and endorsed all that had been ha id in regard to hi* good qualities. He congratulated Archdeacon Kempthift'ue upon being appointed, to Brightwater, and said he was sure he would find it- a most suitable place. Bishop Mules welcomed the advent of Dr. 'and Mrs Weeks amongst them', avicl said that he would do all he could to further the ends for which they had come. (Applause.)

Archdeacon Kempthorne, who was received with prolonged »ipplaus.-e, feelingly thanked the parishioners for thenfarewell, and for the words that had been spoken. He prized most of all the love and affection of his people, and hei knew that his departure was regreti ted by some. When he was offered the archdeaconry of Waimea, the Bishop told him that it would not affect his position at. the Cathedral, 'but he felt th;a it would be better to sever his connection with the parish. He had bee;i 'amongst then) for 47 years. He came to Nelson at Christmas, 1868, and saw the la.te Bjsliop Suter, who desired young men to join tbe ministry. In June, 1869, ho took up his residence- nt Bishopclale, and he■ had remained in tho diocese- ever since. He had been at the Cathedral for 30 years last Easter, an<j he felt leaving it very much. During that time lie had always had the earn est help and support of the parishioners, and he had never had -a quarro. with tho vestry. In many ways he bad been helped- by faithful members of tht cJurrcli. lie could nob Jiave doii-ei what he had done without the hearty cooperation ol' the parishioners. Mrs Kempthorne had also helped him in every way, 'and they were vnided now more, than ever. ■ (Applause.) Ik would feel it his duty to be loyal to his Bi.*bop< for the benefit of tho Churcn (Applause.) He had had more difficulties with the choir and organists than any one else. (Laughter.), He thanked' all those who for so long had bce<i i'ti ttliful and loyal members of tinchurch, and hoped ho would to'the em! j-etaiu their affection. He' felt confident that they would soon, learn t*love, honour, 'and respect their new vicar, who would more than fill his place. Archdeacon Kempthorne concluded by again earnestly thanking everyone for Mieiv kindness to kin-self and Mr* Kempthorne. (Applause.) The Rev. Dr. Weeks said that fro:r his experience, in Natal-he had expect' -eel a cordial welcome, and he was not disapjxmrted. (Appiaiisc.) The- first' to welcome- him to. i\ Tev." Zealand wore tho Rev. J. P. and Mrs Kempthorne. and ■'foe dersii-e-J t<v th'airk tliem for the welcome they had given, him. Ho mentioned that Sunday next was t-b«? anniversary of his wadding, and he re garded it as a happy omen that he should enter into his ministry at the Cathedral on that day. He hoped n> bis relationship with the parishioners that there would be mutual confidence, mutual consideration, and mutual cooperation. He was •untried imd anknown, and he thought it bs'st not. tr. make any promises, except to ser/e them to 'the best of his ability, ponr, the first he asked that they shoiite oive them the, confidence that they "aye in coming to Nelson. They came with ideals and metliods, winch might differ from what the parishioners Jiao 'been accustomed to, but in tho luiida r,-.cr-l-als they were at one, Tney mi gat make mistakes, but *ho man who nevoi ir.iade mistakes never made -anything. They might be perfectly sure chao whatever happened, the success that na.ci n-arl;pd tho Cr-thedral in past years, W'ouVl not te lessoned in tho years t:< come He thanke<l them for tiieir cordial welcome, and promised, on bc-haii of Mrs Weeks and -himself, to do then best to be worthy of it. (Apptaiuse.) B.ui-inp- the evening instrumental selectiojis'wew played by tlte Messrs V-itetra Brothers' ovch.estr« t and mu^ v.ere rendered h v -Miss Keai-ns and..Mr Collier, Mr N. 'R. Williams playing tin accon payments. •'. Bouquets of sw?et peas were presented to Mrs Kempthorne and Mrs \Vee,vs by Miss Irene Cockburn, "Tbn. decorations wen.- carried out >)> Kr« Eastoott and Misses Kicluiioiyi au-i P Btfovo tlßv gathering concluded refreshments were handed round.