HOME AGAIN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, 21 March 1907, Page 23

HOME AGAIN

WELCOME TO FATHER TUBMAN (From our Timaru correspondent.) Never ■before, in the history of the Church in Tirharu has such a reception been tendered to any returning • . or .visiting pastor as that which was given to. Father Tubman in - the Drill Hall last Thursday night, on his> return to the scene of nis labors after . twelve months' absence. The gathering was a large and enthusiastic one, among these present being Right Rev. ' Mgr. Mackay (Oamaru) and many leading citizens, Ms Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. Craigie) occupying the . chair. Apologies were .received from the Hon. W. HallJones, Dean Rcgnault, Fathers Bowers and Kerley, and others. Songs were acceptably, rendered -by ' Mesdames Skinner and Lynch and Mr. Jordan, Mrs. Mangos presiding at the piano. M*. T. Lynch read the following ad-dress on behalf of the parishioners :— ' Revered and dear Father,— As your loyal and de- - voted ' children, ' we cannot allow you to return to this - parish Jin which you have la.bored so long and so ■- successfully, without expressing the joy your advent • inspires. Twelve months ago 'we assembled here to wish you God speed, but the- pleasure which your homecoming gives to those who at' that time mourned, ' has turned the passing sorrow into an abiding joy. Your journey, embracing the Jiistorieal religious and national shrines of the Celts, "who form the preponderating element in your flock, we sincerely hope, has sent you back completely restored in health, and ready to take up again the work* of erecting the newphuroh, which is so urgently needed. -As citizens of Timaru, we congratulate ourselves on having among us once more a progressive and leading burgess. Individually your presence gives the support that one feels when a relative,, Mend, or sorely missed comrade once more returns to the accustomed seat'; and as offspring of the old sod, and as scions of the faith ever ancient, but always ' new, . our hearts warm to the pilgrim, and bound as the voice of the well-beloved, is once more heard. *Of welcome we offer you, Rev. dear Father, the proverbial thousand, and could your years We the same, it would, be our earnest wish' they ;would be passed in the parish that now opens •its arms to receive you.' The Mayor, in formally welcoming Father Tubman - back to the town on behalf of the burgesses, said he considered Father Tubman one -of the chief inhabitants, and one who could least be spared. Father Tubman was the friend of everybody, and the love and respect in which foe was held by his own flock was also shared by members of other congregations. Father Tubman was a man who always thought of others, and it was characteristic of him that even when travelling he found time to think of the Timaru Borough Council, and send them mementoes of the Holy Land. ~ "His Worship sincerely wished to see the new church completed in the near future, a standing monument to the energy and devotedness of a united flock, working ' under able guidance. -Mr. S. G._ Raymond said that the remarks of his Worship had covered almost all he wished to say:. He congratulated the guest of the evening on the success ■ of his well-earned rest, and was particularly glad tohear that the Old Land had taken' a. -decided change for' the better. -Messrs. J. Hole and W. Priest also welcomed - Father Tubman Lack. * Rev. Father Tubman, whose rising; was the signal for long-continued applause, ' returned thanks for the magnificence of the welcome aocordted him. He, particularly thanked Monsig-nor MacVay, of Oamaru, and his Worship for their"" presence, and the Timaru "press for the fine accounts they had written of his -travels. He' had thoroughly enjoyed, and he hoped profited by, his holiday, and was now ready io take up strongly the building of the new church, which - they all so much •desired. He found "tho people of the Old Land, if not prosperous, at , least .a better way than they were; twenty years - ago. They, -above a.l I ~ the" peonies . v he' had seen, possessed the secret of lining happily andcontentedly with their lot. He concluded by paying a graceful tribute to Rev. Father Bowden, who had charge of the parish dtirine: his" a.bsence. He then presented the 'Mayor with a genuine blackthorn stick/ with Ihe

foltowing inscription on the silver ferrule : ' Presented by Father Tubman to Jas. Craigie, Esq., 1907..' - After a suitable reply by his Worship the evening was brought to a close by the serving of refreshments.