VALEDICTORY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 14398, 4 January 1911, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

YVhen the Rev, F, G. Evans accepted, some fourteen years ago, the position of Y’icar of St. Mary’s Parish, ho probably realised more fully than anyone else how difficult a task bo. was undertaking to succeed in that office a man like the late Yen. Archdeacon Gove It, who had endeared himself to two generations of parishioners, who had, so to speak, nursed the parish through its infancy and ministered to it through the troublous times of the Maori wars, of tho sixties, and who had proved himself a generous benefactor to the church as well as its good and faithful servant. To fill such a man’s place was indeed a difficult task to undertake. Whatever misgivings tho Rev. Mr. Evans might have felt on the subject he entered upon his duties with courage and determination to do his best—more a man cannot do—and now that his turn has come to retire, what are wo to say of him? Let his fourteen years of work speak for him, and wo have no hesitation in saj-ing that if faithful service stands for anything tho verdict must be that he has done well and proved himself n very worthy successor to tho old Archdeacon, as his people loved to call him. In these times it is no easy matter to keep a large congregation together, and the fact that Ft. Mary's has continued to grow with tho growth of the town and district is in itself abundant evidence of the success of Mr. Evans’ ministrations. He too lias endeared himself to his people, who will regret his retirement not only because it severe a link connecting tho parish with the "old Archdeacon,” whose daughter has been so worthy a helpmate of her husband, but also on his own personal account. Both inside and outside the church ho has made himself genuinely liked and respected; he has entered into tho daily lives of his people with kindly and sympathetic interest, participated in their joys and consoled them in their troubles. Beyond that ho has hoop a worthy citizen, interesting himself in all movements for the advancement and welfare of the town. Unfortunately his health, never particularly robust, has broken down under the growing strain of the cares of the parish, and ho is forced to give up those heavy duties. The sincerest sympathy, wc are sure, goes out to him from all his friends, both in and out of the church, with tho hope that a period of rest will complete restore liis health. If his successor is able to retire in his turn with so good a record of duty honestly done both ho and the parish will have every cause to bo thankful.