ARCHDEACON HARPER'S RESIGNATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14363, 8 February 1911, Page 5

ARCHDEACON HARPER'S RESIGNATION.

The notice given by Archdeacon Harper of his intended resignation from the service of the Anglican Church ia New Zealand as from the end of the present year ■will cause a sense of loss to be felt beyond the borders of this diocese. His life has been a part of the history of that Church almost from its earliest days. As a young mas, sharing the pioneer ■work of his father, a saddle was his frequent pillow. He is one of the few men left in the Church's ministry who knew and talked with Selwyn. _He had. charge of the vague district of' Waimakariri from 1857 to 186t. before the days of fixed boundaries, and he built up a reputation and popularity among the rough miners of the West Coast whiili are not yet forgotten, before commencing*, 36 years ago,* liis important work in Timaru. It was not, after all, the greatest part r,f that work that he planned and caused to be completed after long time and many difficulties, a church which is an abnost perfect 6ymbol in stone of the " beauty of holiness." There is no need to speak here of the influence of his strong manliness, his devotion to duty, his lofty optimism, bis kindness and generosity on those who " knew him, strong and quiet as the hills." His influence was never limited to this town and district. His wide outlook nnd experience, and his gift of clear, incisive statement in debate, made him a strong and valued force not only in the Diocesan, but also in the General Synods.. If anything could increase the high esteem in which Archdeacon Harper has for many V6ars been held,we think it would be found in the reasons, characteristic of the man, which he advances in his letter to the vestry, for deciding to give up his onerous control of a large parish and seek lighter work in England. I have always had it in my mind," he writes, "that as soon as I should feel that a younger man was needed for the work, it v.ould be my duty to resign it." "VTe are not convinced that that time has yet come, but few men would have .shown the same noble anxiety not by any chance to ver-pass it.