ARCHDEACON HARPER'S RESIGNATION.

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

ARCHDEACON HARPER'S RESIGNATION.

REASONS FOR THE STEP. LETTER TO VESTRY. Tho following letter, written by Archdeacon Harper from Loudon uudor date December 21gt to Mr M. J> KnuMey, churchwarden of tit. Mary's, with a request lba-t it Bhould bo laid before tho vostry, explains tho reason* which have led tho Arcliiioaoon to tei> dor his resignation as vioar of St. Mari'B parish:— " For some timo past I have givon much carnoßt and anxious thought to tho futui-o of tit. Mary's ohuroh and parish, and to what 1 am cunviacod would bo for tho best interest oJid wolfaro of its important work. Ximo.ru is entering on u now ora of prosperity, its population and businoss aro rapidly inoi'oasing, and with this the Ohuroh must neeus keep pace. Having thi* in. view, after full consideration I have come to tlio deliberate couoluiiion, but, as you will well understand, not with" out groat reluctance, that tho timo ha« como whon in tho best interest of the Church I ought to resign the cure of tho parish, in order that some one in tho primo of life, may take up its onorouß and over increasing duty. " Since 1875 (Mo comber) I havo been Vicar of St. Mary's, and it has been given to mo, in God's Providence, to uild up tho work of tho Church, almost from its beginning, with suoh n. measure of success, notwithstanding; all tho many defoctg of which I am dcoply conscious, ns hni fallen to the lot of few in Now Zealand. This could never havo boon accomplished but for tho constant sympathy and hearty cooperation of tho parißhionoira and friends of St. Mary's, which havo boon so generously and gladly given to mo during .so many years. This mil ever bo to mo ono of tho. 7 most preoious possessions of my lifo, not to speak of tho many personal friendship X havo mado in Timaru, and the sinoero affection of, and for, bo many whether now living or of those who havo pasßod away. You will, lam Buro. readily understand that all this. tniuTOi it ft very difficult matter for mo to sever my connection with euoh a parish* in which tho best years of my life have been spent. , tl A _ . . 11 But I am convinced that I oupnt to do so. I ora thankful to Bay that I am still in fair health and strength, mere so, perhaps, than fi tho caso with the average of men of my ago. But in May next I enter on my 79th year, and I havo always had it in mina that so soon as I should fool that a younge!" man was needed for tho work, it would be my duty to resign it. I thereforo with this oncloso my formal resignation as Vicar of St. Mary's parish, th« resignation to t&ko effect December 31st, 1911. Thii» will giva amplo time for tho choice and appointment of my successor. I havo also forwarded to the Bishop of the Diocese a similar notice of resignation. It is my ijtention to return to England early lir 1911, whore I have reason to think 1 may find opportunity of work, without the constant strain of a largo parish. May I also add that, in future, if lam spared, it will always bo my pleasure and my caro to do anything I cau for St. Mary's, in whatever way may seem most helpful when tho time oomoß. " It is with tho most sincere reluctance that I write this, but I must ask vou to accept my decision to resign as final. I havo thought it over from every point of view, and I needhardly I say that I havo earnestly sought God 8 guidance in coming to this decision, ! and that I am quite eura that the course I am taking the bost interest of St. M«JT» ohnroh atl " ABd' 8 I remain, y our "J^ v fa vr?" M Archdeaoon, St! Mary's, Timnru."