“TRIUMPHANT IN DEATH”

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1934, Page 2

“TRIUMPHANT IN DEATH”

ARCHDEACON COLE’S BURIAL IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL SERVICE. LAST RITES AT NEW PLYMOUTH. Simple dignity marked the funeral services for Archdeacon Robert Henry Cole, who was buried beside Te Henui Stream, New Plymouth, on Saturday morning. A choral service at St. Mary’s Church was attended by a representative congregation. The service was conducted by Archdeacon G. H. Gavin, assisted by Archdeacon F. G. Evans and Canon C. A. B. Watson (St. Paul’s, Auckland). There were also present the Revs. W. S. C. Stephens (Fitzroy), C. Mortimer-Jones (Hastings), J. K. D. McFarland (Stratford), H. Boyd-Bell (Okato), Canon E. H. Strong (St. John’s College, Auckland), and Canon Newbold (Okato). A brief address of tribute to Archdeacon Cole and of comfort to those whom he left behind him was given by Archdeacon F. G. Evans, whose friendship with Archdeacon Cole was of many years’ standing. Archdeacon Evans drew attention to the words of Christ to His disciples: “Let not your hearts be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. Igo to prepare a place for you that where I am ye may be also.” Those words were intended by Christ not only as a comfort to His disciples, but also as a balm to heal the wounds of the bereaved ones throughout the ages.

In the early days of the Christian church when a member of the brotherhood “died,” as it was called, the bereaved met together with other Christians and, robed in white, sung hymns of joy and gladness and thanksgiving to God that another child of His had fjeen called to his external home. ‘’To-day we give thanks that another of His children has passed through the storm of life’s passage and has cast anchor within the peaceful harbour of eternity,” said Archdeacon Evans, “and ‘may there be no moaning of the bar, when he put out to sea,’ for he has gone to met his Pilot face to face with great joy.” He was sure, said Archdeacon Evans, that it was a great happiness to Archdeacon Cole now and to his loved ones that his body had been borne to the church he loved. His last words in life were the name of the church with which he was associated for so long, and which he held sO dearly. It was unfortunate that he could not be buried in the churchyard beside his predecessor, Archdeacon H. Govett, but a restingplace had been chosen for him beside two of the friends he loved, Mr. Percy Smith and Mr. Clement Govett, in Te Henui cemetery.

Tile work of Archdeacon Cole would increase in splendour as the years went on, continued Archdeacon Evans. “Noone will ever know fully what he did for this archdeaconry, especially in the back-blocks,” he said. “He carried on a great work under the greatest difficulties.” It was wonderful to think that that great mind and that great spiritual nature had not come to and end, but would have even greater scope in the life beyond. He died not in the dark but “in the light of everlasting life.” There was no long cortege—many of those whom he knew and by whom ho was loved during his work in Taranaki have either died or been scattered abroad —but those who followed his remains to their resting-place had for him a degree of respect won by few men. The bearers were the Revs. MortimerJones, McFarland, Stephens and BoydBell . and Messrs. W. H. Skinner- and T. C. Fookes. The service at the graveside was conducted by Canon Watson. Miss Cole’ sent a message to Archdeacon Evans expressing regret that owing to severe illness she was unable to undertake the journey from Auckland to be present at her father’s funeral.