TRINITY CHURCH, LAWRENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1671, 5 March 1890, Page 5

TRINITY CHURCH, LAWRENCE.

A. social gathering of the parishioners of Trinity Church, Lawrence, was held in the church schoolroom on Friday evening for the purpose of wishing bon voyage and success to the Venerable Archdeacon and Mrs Beaumont prior to their departure for Europe. The primary object of the Archdeacon's visit Home being, as we have already announced, for the purpose of consulting some of the renowned specialists of London and the Continent on behalf of his boy, his friends and well-wishers decided that the occasion was a fitting one on which to testify in some practical form their high appreciation of his many valuable services to religion and to the church over which he has so long and faithfully presided. He has certainly, by his unceasing labours and his whole-hearted devotion to the interests committed to his charge, raised the church to a very high point of prosperity, increasing its financial as well as its numerical strength. Among the members of other denominations his fine catholic and tolerant spirit, his high Christian character, and his naturally kind and benevolent disposition, have caused him to be muoh esteemed. In promoting the interests of the church he, has always been zealously assisted by Mrs Beaumont, whose many kindly services received suitable and substantial recognition on Friday evening. It is unnecessary to say that the assemblage was large and influential and thoroughly representative, or that the feeling towards those whom it came together to do honour to was genuine and heartfelt. The meeting was a social one, without any of the rigid or chilling forms that distinguish the ordinary church meeting. There was plenty of social and, no doubt, agreeable couverse, with some sweetly-rendered songs and excellent music. Those who contributed in this respect were the Misses Revell (2), pianoforte selections ; Miss Webb, song ; Miss Jeffery, song ; Mr Macdonald, song ; Miss Shury, song; Miss M'Nicoll, song; Mr J. C. Arbuckle, humorous Scotch reading; Miss Fraer, pianoforte selection ; Miss Rolfe, song ; Mrs Withers, song ; Mrs Herbert played the accompaniments. As the evening went on, tea was handed round, with all the usual delicacies appropriate or customary to such an occasion. Towards ten o'clock,

Mr Wakefield ascended the platform, and stated that he had been deputed by a few of the many friends of Archdeacon and Mrs Beaumont to perform a very pleasant duty that evening. There were others who had been connected with the church for a longer period, and had more intimate acquaintance with the Archdeacon than he, but the churchwardens had done him the honour to ask him to say a few words on the occasion. Ho noticed a reference had been made in the Tuapeka Times to a presentation that was about to be made to Archdeacon Beaumont by his friends. This was a mistake ; no such thing had occurred to them, because in making a presentation to the Archdeacon his numerous friends were not merely connected with his own church, but belonged to every sect of the community. But a few friends thought that by making a present of a purse of sovereigns to Mrs Beaumont as a small recognition of the many valuable services she has rendered the church as organist and Sunday school teacher and in many other ways, the Archdeacon would, perhaps, assist Mrs Beaumont in purchasing some suitable souvenir in their travels. He concluded by handing the purse of sovereigns to the Archdeacon for Mrs Beaumont, and wishing them, on behalf of the congregation and friends, success in their mission, and hoped they would soon return to the parish refreshed in mind and body and the better in every respect for their journey. -(Applause.) Archdeacon Beaumont, in reply, said he thanked all his very dear friends most heartily and in loviDg kindness. He prized the gift a hundredfold more, simply because the presentation was made to Mrs Beaumont and not to himself. On behalf of Mrs Beaumont, therefore, and himself he thanked them most heartily for their attendance that evening, and, also, for the loving good-will that existed amongst the people of the parish towards Mrs Beaumont and himself, and which they in turn most heartily reciprocated. The generous present handed to him for Mrs Beaumont he regarded as a very great honour, a greater honour, indeed, than if he had himself been made the actual recipient of it. In taking a retrospective glance over the past twenty years that he had laboured in the parish, many had grown from childhood to man and womanhood, and many chapges had taken place. He could see now, when a separation was about to take place, many shortcomings, and many things left undone, and how imperfect at best we were. There was one thing at leaving that many might lay to his charge, that was for not visiting them more frequently; but very often he was blamed through misapprehension as to what one can do in that respect. In any cases of sickness, suffering, or distress which came I within his reach, he made an effort at all times to visit and give what relief could be afforded. He was aware of his imperfections. He had spent a very happy time in the parish, receiving every love and kindness that could be wished for. Occasions had arisen and do arise when they held opposite opinions, but in the majority of instances they agreed to differ. He thanked every member of the parish, the churchwardens, the vestry, the Sunday school teachers, and all who had worked for Christ's cause. He referred to the sorrow and trouble -the affliction to their i son— that had been cast upon Mrs Beaumont and himself, but which had been made very much lighter by the loving sympathy shown by his people. Though long as the journey was, it would be made pleasant by knowing the kindly feeling, the good wibhes, and earnest prayers for their welfare that would be expressed for them. As people advanced in years, they found out what they did not recognise as fully as they should— the great need of a nearer and closer walk with God in Christ Jesus. As they advanced in life, they found when they had the knowledge of God planted within them, they had the one thing needful : they wanted to know more of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. If the object of the mission about to be undertaken by Mrs Beaumont and himself should be unsuccessful, the earnest prayers and kindly wishes of the people would enable his wife and himself to bear their cross more lightly and be taught more and more for Jesus' sake to take to heart those deep-searching words, " Even so, Father, for it seemeth good in Thy sight." They had to take their departure hurriedly, as they wished to be back here by next Christmas. He had not in the slightest

degree intentionally over-looked saying goodbye to anyone. He again thanked them and earnestly commended them to God's care, through Jesus Christ our Lord.