VEN. ARCHDEACON GOVETTS JUBILEE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XIV, 2 April 1898, Page 404

VEN. ARCHDEACON GOVETTS JUBILEE.

SPECIAL SERVICES IN NEW PLYMOUTH. THE fiftieth anniversary of the Ven. Archdeacon Govett's ministry in the Taranaki district was commemorated by special services in St. Mary's Church, New Plymouth, on 13th March, at which the Primate of New Zealand, Dr. Cowie, took a prominent part. There were present clergymen from all parts of the archdeaconry, as well as many from other places in the colony. At both services the church was filled by large congrega-

tions, demonstrating most emphatically how the Archdeacon is beloved, not. only by his own people, but by the settlers in the district as a whole. At the morning service the Rev. C. W. Robinson, who is taking charge of the Inglewood parish, was ordained, this being the first ordination service in the church. The ceremony commenced at 10 o’clock with prayer, and at 11 o’clock a procession was formed in the schoolroom opposite the church in the following order, headed by Mr E. Dent, student at Inglewood:—The choir, lay readers, clergy of the district consisting of the Archdeacon’s curates, the Rev. F. G. Evans and Rev. F. W. Walker, Rev. H. Mason (Okato), Rev. C. W. Robinson (Inglewood), the visiting clergy — Rev. N. D. Boyce (Stratford), Rev. M. J. Devenish (Hunterville), and Rev. Canon Walsh (Waimate North), the Ven. Archdeacon Govett, and the Most Reverend Primate of New Zealand, Dr. Cowie, of Auckland. On .entering the church, the Rev. (’anon Walsh, who acted ns chaplain to the Primate and Master of the Ceremonies, took charge of the proceedings, and as the clerical party inarched up the nave the choir sang the Processional Hymn. The Primate having said the. ‘Bidding Prayer,’ then preached a most, impressive sermon, taking for his text the fifth verse of the first chapter of Titus. His Lordship drew attention to the fact that this was the first ordination in New Plymouth, and after making some remarks on the three orders in the ministry and the necessary qualifications of a candidate, enlarged on the duties of clergymen, and concluded by giving some earnest advice to young clergymen. After the Litany had been said by Rev. M. J. Devenish, and Hymn 353 sung, the candidate for the ministry was puesented by the Ven. Archdeacon to the Primate, who put questions from the ’Ordinate' to him, and the Holy Communion commenced. The ‘laying on of hands' followed, in which

all the priests present took part with the Primate. The office of Holy Communion was then resumed, the confession being said by Rev. N. D. Boyes and the Creed by the Primate. At the reception the Primate was the celebrant, and was assisted by Archdeacon Govett, the Rev. Canon Walsh and Rev. F. G. Evans acting as subdeacons. The service was then brought to a close by the choir singing the Recessional Hymn. In the evening the procession entered the church at 7 o’clock, when evening prayer was said by the Rev. F. W. Walker and Rev. N. D. Boyes. The first lesson was read by the Rev. F. (1. Evans, and the second by Rev. Canon Walsh. His Lordship the Primate then preached a thoughtful and ear-

nest sermon, taking for his text Ephesians iv., 4,5, and 6. He dwelt on the doctrine of the church and the universal nature of its religion. In conclusion he paid a noble tribute to the work done by Archdeacon Govett,saying he had practically exemplified the principle of brotherly love. During the time the Archdeacon had been amongst, them he had always endea-

voured to make the people love one another and not be alienated. It was fifty years since the Archdeacon first came to New Plymouth—fifty years since he had walked through the bush from Auckland to New Plymouth, accompanied only by a Maori guide, and since that time many important changes had taken place. But through all the trials and troubles he had gone through the Archdeacon had been guided by one principle—that of helping the members of the Church, and they w'ould all join in the fervent hope that he would long be spared to remain amongst them. The music rendered at the services was most excellent. Mr Cooper was organist, and he was supported by a full and efficient choir. In the evening

Mr Edgar Walton sang ‘Hosanna’ and also the solo part in ‘Gloria in Excelsis.’ Miss Bertha Bayly took the solo part in ‘I am Alpha and Omega.’ MEMORIAL HATCHMENT UNVEILED. After the blessing, which concluded the evening service, an interesting event in connection with the Arch-

deacon’s Jubilee took place. The Rev. Canon Walsh, having painted a hatchment commemorating the deeds of the officers and men of the 65th Regiment who fell in the Maori war, presented it to the Church, Archdeacon Govett having been chaplain to the regiment during its long term of service in the district. It is a very handsome piece of work, and has been hung on the south wall of the church. The hatchment is two feet square, on which is emblazoned on a black ground the Queen’s and regimental colours, surmounted by the badge of the regiment —a tiger, passant regardent, and the Royal Crown, and under the flags on a scroll are the words ‘Royal Bengal Tigers.’ The whole is surrounded by a rich gold border, on which are the honours of the regifnent, viz., India, Arabia, Taranaki, and Waikato. The work, which is painted in oils on n kauri panel, is of a thoroughly durable nature, and will serve for many years to ornament the fine old church. This is the second hatchment of the kind now in the building, and we understand that, the reverend gentleman intends to add others from time to time, so that the noble deeds of those who fought so bravely for their country may be recorded. After the blessing, the Primate, accompanied by Rev. Canon Walsh, approached the steps of the chancel, where Bishop Cowie briefly but in very happy terms referred to the noble services the men of the 65th Regiment had renderd in defence of the district. His Lordship then called on Mr Nicholas Golding, late Sergeant in the 65th, to unveil the hatchment. He was supported .by Messrs Murphy and Copestake, also non-commissioned officers in the same regiment. Mr Golding having withdrawn the veil, the ceremony came to a conclusion. PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS TO ARCHDEACON GOVETT. At a social held at the Theatre Royal on Monday, March 14, there was a large and most representative gathering. It was presided over by the Most Reverend the Primate (Dr. Cowie), Bishop of Auckland. He was supported by Archdeacon Govett and His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. Dockrill). Also on the stage were Canon Walsh, Revs. F. G. Evans, F. W. Walker, N. D. Boyes (Stratford), Anson (Hawera), Robinson (Inglewood), Garland and H. L. Blamires (Wesleyan), Drew (Baptist), Osborne (Presbyterian), and Messrs H. Brown, M.H.R., C. W. Govett, F. A. Carrington, A. Standish, W. H. Skinner, N. Golding, P. C. Morton, F. L. Webster, W. D. Webster, S, W. Shaw, A. F. Halcombe, Mesdames Cowie, C. W. Govett, Broham, Standish, Robinson, Skinner, Walker, Doekrill, F. L. Webster, W. D. Webster, Cornwall, Tuke, Miss Govett, and the Misses Margaret, Marion, Dorothy, and Monica Govett, and others. After the proceedings had been opened by some instrumental and vocal selections, the Primate said he

considered himself fortunate at being able to accept the invitation to meet, the members of St. Mary's Church and the general public that night to congratulate his friend and brother. Archdeacon Govett, who had just completed his fifty years' ministration in the district. He expressed his great pleasure at seeing so many persons present to show their respect to the Archdeacon. After His Worship the Mayor had said a few words, Mr F. L. Webster presented an address from the parishioners of St. Mary’s Parish to the Archdeacon, in which reference was made to the services he had rendered to the. settlers of the district during the fifty years he had spiritually ministered to their wants. ‘Your Jubilee is a suitable occasion,’ says the. address, ‘to remind you that our beautiful church is entirely free from debt, and for all time will be a lasting tribute to the foresight of the late Rev. W. Holland and your own unbounded benevolence and liberality.’ The address also stated that ‘as anything which would tend to still further beautify St. Mary's would be valued by the Archdeacon more than a personal gift, the parishioners had decided to place in the church a reredos in stone, as a memorial of his labours during the past fifty years.’ On the Archdeacon rising to reply, the rev. gentleman was greeted with a most enthusiastic reception from the. miscellaneous audience present. He made a very feeling speech, referring to the events in rhe district during the past fifty years. He said: ‘You have been

very patient with me in the work 1 have endeavoured to do in the cause of Christ, and you have shown your great appreciation.’ He referred to the beautiful stone church they possessed, ‘which now everybody acknowledged to be one of the best in New Zealand. So he and his congregation might be pardoned for being so proud of it.’ He thanked the parishioners for placing a lectern in the church to the memory of his wife, an action he said he greatly appreciated. The Archdeacon concluded by warmly thanking them for the reception he had received that night, which he felt, a fitting climax to the many nets of kindness he. had received. Cheers were called for and responded to most heartily, during which a movement in the hall showed that an unexpected item in the programme was about, to be introduced, but which proves how thoroughly the Archdeacon is respected by the whole community. A number of gentlemen walked on the stage. Mr James Paul, who headed the party and acted as spokesman,said they were members of the Bowling Club, ami as the Archdeacon had always taken a lively interest in the Club since its inception, they wished to present him with a life member’s ticket, and at the same, time cordially congratulate him on the attainment, of his Jubilee. He added: ‘The players had derived much benefit from the presence of the Archdeaeon amongst them, and he thought

if ministers of the Gospel, following the example of the Archdeacon, would climb down to the level of ordinary mortals ami participate in sueh innocent recreations, it would tend greatly to elevate them all.’ After the Archdeacon had replied. the audience burst out almost spontaneously with ‘For He's a Jolly Good Fellow,' which served to raise the spirits of the audience and put one and all in good fellowship with each other. A programme of musical items followed, and the social was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem. Mr W. H. Skinner, who had the control of the proceedings, carried out his duties in a most capable manner, the celebration of Archdeacon Govett’s Jubilee being a great success. We are indebted to Mr John Cook, of the Survey Office, New Plymouth, for the photographs of Bishop Cowie in the porch of St. Mary’s Church, the clerical party on the lawn of the Vicarage and in their robes, also for the picture of the 65th Regiment Hatchment, painted by Rev. Canon Walsh, which has been plneed in the church: We have also to thank Canon Walsh for the assistance rendered to our New Plymouth correspondent in obtaining the particulars relative to the services in the church in connection with the Archdeacon’s Jubilee.