A NOTED PREACHER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 123, 27 May 1938, Page 5

A NOTED PREACHER

LATE REV. R. H. CATHERWOOD WELL KNOWN IN NEW ZEALAND (Contributed.) The late Rev. R. H. Catherwood was .veil known throughout New Zealand, having held charges in Waianiwa, St. Peter’s (Auckland), Patearoa, Maraekakahc, Taihape, Featherston, Kilbirnie, Turakina and Carterton. From the last-mentioned lie rei tired in 1934, and has resided in Gonville ever since. During this latter period he has been fully occupied supplying in vacant charges and in othei ways. It may be said with truth that | he died as he would have wished - actively engaged in the work he 10v*»d until he was stricken down. I His soldierly appearance and bearj ing made an immediate impression ■ upon the eye, and it was comparaI tively simple for him to attract attention to his message. He was an | earnest champion of the ail-roim! fe- ' velnpment of human life. It is not ali •.vtys easy to maintain a truly hal--lai ced view. The more physical | aspects of development may quite • overtop the spiritual or the cultlvaI tion of the spiritual may ignore the , physical. Mr. Catherwood always j stood for the inward rectification or i life, but he also believed that the ! Christian expression would evince itIself in the whole deportment of the : body. He upheld all manly sports, i but he always emphasised the duty and the dignity of fair play. He was fond of the open air and anyone who spent a day with himin contact with national scenery would soon recognise | how responsive he was to the influ- | ence of bush and stream and beach I and field. He was somewhat restless in his disposition and chafed if he felt he were shut in. He liked the open spaces and the far vistas, and he found mental refreshment from communion with the mystery of nature. There was something of the seer ana the poet about him. Was Easily Known ' He could be misunderstood bv those ■ only who did not see his life'in its | wholeness. A somewhat unconvenI tional style yoked to a highly sensitive | nervous organisation might obscure , the deaper realities of his being. In truth, he was easily known. The present writer recalls how on one occasion his friend had to be thoroughly examined by a medical man. When the result of the diagnosis was made known it was clear that more than the stethescope had been used. The medical man had read his patient’s soul as well. Indeed, it would seem that medical men—a number of whom were Mr. Catherwood’s esteemed friends—were able to take a very just view of his temperament and character. Accustomed as they are to observation of psychological and other factors, they were able to get down to the real man. There were no dark recesses in his spirit beyond the wit of man to explore. Some people appear to be much better than they are, and one day those who thought they knew them are startled when the mask is removed. No such surprises ever leapt to light in the