The Daily News SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1933. A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1933, Page 6

The Daily News

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1933. A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY.

OFFICES: NEW PLYMOUTH, Currie Street. STRATFORD, Broadway. HAWERA, High Street.

Citizens of all creeds, even perhaps those of none, will join in congratulations to the members of St. Mary’s parish, New Plymouth, on the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of its establishment. It is a far cry from the meetings in “the raupo building in Currie Lane” that fine Sunday 90 years ago tomorrow. In the evolution of a people that period is but a day that has gone, but in the history of New Zealand and of a Europeanised Taranaki the period covers almost the whole story. It was optimism, hard work and community service that rendered possible the establishment of St. Mary’s parish and the erection of a church that is a source of pride to the town and province. They are virtues that have been required in Taranaki on many occasions. They kept alive faith in the high destiny of the province when the unhappy quarrels with the Maori led to warfare, they supported the settlers who' had to repair the ravages of that tragic misunderstanding, and they are being exercised to-day in ways that kindle anew the belief that out of difficulties can courage be bom, and that the Golden Rule is still a force in this Dominion. The call to the handful of settlers to establish among themselves a centre of religious life that should be worthy of them and of their church was a stem test. It began in a spirit of optimism soon to be tried in the refinery of suffering and disappointment, and whatever -the ethical teaching of the Church might be it certainly did not omit an element of sternness in its teaching. The founders of Taranaki were taught—perhaps by precept, certainly by harsh circumstances —that parish life could be no easy belief in a Providence under whose care progress would be almost automatic. On the contrary, they learnt that true progress is not easy, and that its maintenance means continuous struggle. But in establishing and supporting a well-organised parish, and in erecting a church building worthy of its high purpose, those pioneers learned also the joys of community effort, and that to build for the future could give a satisfaction greater than any materialistic gain. That there were personal gains of an ethical nature goes without saying, and due stress will doubtless be laid upon them in the celebrations that are to be held during the coming week. Without the refreshment and guidance so given the individual, the progress of the parish would have been far less encouraging. For service to the Church is above all things a call to man’s higher nature. Its altars are not to be measured by the cubit, but by their influence upon the lives, the actions, and the souls of men. Judged by that standard, St. Mary’s parish can draw inspiration from the days that have gone and fresh courage for the future. It is the fashion in some quarters to-day to challenge the work and the efficacy of the churches. They are accused of many weaknesses and shortcomings, and the most earnest of their members are the first to admit their failure to achieve their highest ideals of service. Nevertheless, to make the attempt to serve is a good deal. An occasion such as will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church to-morrow and the succeeding days is a time for rejoicing as well as for contemplation. It will be the commemoration of nearly a century of work, often less successful than was hoped for, often feeling the ebb and flow of purpose and zeal, but at least continuous, at least courageous, and with a record of public service that can be afforded by no other organisations but

those of the Christian Churches. St. Mary’s parish has been fortunate in its founders and in its clergy. Those who guided the parish through its first halfcentury of troublous youth and more mellow days have been dead for more than a generation. Yet the names of Bolland and Govett will remain on the roll of honoured citizens so long as the church and the town exist for which they laboured so ardently. Others have succeeded to the work established by those pioneers. They had and have to meet difficulties unknown in the less complex days of community and parish life. Nevertheless the call to service, and belief in man’s lofty destiny and in the value of the teaching and comfort it has to offer, are still the means whereby progress in true citizenship is sought by the Church. From the days that are passed should come stimulus, hope and faith in the accomplishments that lie ahead.