DR LANG'S FAREWELL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13866, 31 March 1909, Page 3

DR LANG'S FAREWELL.

"A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW." The affection in which the new Archbishop of York is held by people of all classes in the East of London was amply demonstrated on February 11th, when the People's Palace was crowded with a gathering which was thoroughly representative of local life and labour. It was Dr. Lang's farewell to the neighbourhood where he laboured as a suffragan Bishop for eight years, and to the many friends he made. The demonstration was not confined to the members of the Church of England, and the presence, of the Rev. Peter Thompson on the platform was matched by the presence of many Nonconformists in the body of the hall. The occasion was marked by civic display. After the Archbishop had passed through a guard of honour provided by the Church Lads' Brigade, he was received by the Mayor of Stepney (the Hon. H. L. W. Lawson), in his robes, and by a number of , clergy, including the Bishop of London, the Rural Dean of Stepney, Archdeacon Sinclair, and Dr. Barnett, and conducted to the platform amid cheers. The organist correctly diagnosed the feeling of the audience by playing "For he's a jolly good fellow," which was sung with great heartiness, in spite of tlie opinion expressed in some quarters that to apply such a description to an Archbishop approached profanity. If so, it was corrected by the hymn and prayer which followed. The Bishop of London, who presided, said it was the easiest task in the world to voice the love and enthusiasm of the great multitude for Cosmo Gordon Lang, for man never had a more affectionate colleague, a more indomitable worker by his side, or a more efficient suffragan Bishop than he had in Dr. Lang. But it was not easy to analvse the elements in the character and life of the. man who had left an indelible mark on East London, and it was still harder to do it in his presence. "I bid him," said the Bishop, " m vour name, God speed. He will carry with him to his work in the north the love and gratitude of East London." On behalf of the Stepney Council of Public Welfare, the Mayor presented Dr. Lang with an address, widely signed, which called attention to his work in East London with, special emphasis on the promotion of temperance and the diminution of infantile mortality. The Rev. Peter Thompson supported the address. After speeches by the Archdeacon of London, Mr Gilbert Bartholomew, and the Rev. Prebendary Perry, a presentation of handsome library furniture, consisting of bookcases, writing table, and chairs, was made on behalf of the subscribers —4OOO men, women and children in London, AVest as well as East. The Archbishop of York, in _ the course of an eloquent address, said he was certain that for the rest of bis life inside the Archbishop of York would always" be found the'heart of the Bishop-of Stepney. He was grtactul for the address and the gifts. I If he could leave on their minds the impresion that Church people had got to work with their boroughs to make East London a. better, happier, and more wholesome place, he would be satisfied That was what he had always meant bv the union of the Church and State—not a union of privilege, but a union of common service to the community. They had got to raise local patriotism in East London and put it at the service of the boroughs to which they belonged.