S. Augustine's, Napier.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 November 1910, Page 12

S. Augustine's, Napier.

Vicar: Rev. Canon Tube. We can only sound the note of thankfulness for the Mission which it has been our privilege and spiritual gain to have m our Parish. We have passed through an experience m our religious life that will never be effaced from our memory. It will live on m many a soul. The thoughts of it will bring joy and deep thankfulness and its faithful teaching and preaching of Jesus Christ as the Supreme Factor m life will often refresh the soul as it drinks from the Brook m the Way. From the very first — the solemn Reception Service on the 17th of last month — there was a wondrous response. As each day advanced the services were more largely attended until it taxed the Wardens, Vestrymen, and C.E.M.S. men, all of whom worked wholeheartedly, to find room for the people, most of whom it was noted were most constant m their attendance and who therefore reaped the benefit of that chain of connected discourses which those missed by running hither and thither with itching ears. One of the most noteworthy features of the Mission here and elsewhere is that each Parish declared its own Missioner to be the best ! Here we fall into line and, while we must all feel devoutly thankful for such a band of faithful and able men, we have no desire to have had any other Missioner sent to us than the man whom we thank God for sending. The name of "Prebendary Stuart" will never be forgotten here. His deeply spiritual character combining (as a fellow Missiouer expressed it to the Vicar) the heart of a lion and the tenderness of a woman, appealed to us all while his eloquent but simple and direct teaching laid hold of our hearts. Whether it was m the Church, or at the Railway workshop, or m the street ; whether it was to men, women, or children, they felt compelled to listen to the Message. Many availed themselves of personal interviews and came away strengthened and comforted by the Godly counsel received. Many prayers offered each night found an answer, out none received a greater answer than those offered up day by day and Sunday after Sunday for months previously for a blessing on the Mission. " Known unto God " alone will be all the results, but we do indeed thank Him for much encouragement already received m our increased attendance at the celebrations of Holy Communion, and at all the services. Many are attending classes for the Confirmation m December and many have been strengthened and built up m the Faith, and are now forward to help the work of the Church. The gain to the whole Church of New Zealand will be incalculable. May the Grace of Perseverance be abundantly poured upon us 1 The Rev. W. Robinson, after two years of illness, preached an able and helpful sermon

on the Mission the Sunday following it. We all hope he is now on the road to a full recovery. There are still some shilling mu*ic editions of the Mission hymn' book' for sale, and a few memorial, cards left for those who wish to have one. Early application for these should be made to the Vicar. The Choir assembled m the Vestry on Sunday evening, tlie 16fch, to bid farewell to Mr. H. J. Hill, one of our valued members, who is leaving for a six months' visit to the Old Country, where his mother is still alive. The Vicar presented him with a new edition of hymns, A. and M., and with Mr. H. L. Harston tendered their own and the Choir's best wishes for a happy visit and a safe return. Mr. Hill hopes to be back by Easter next year. We welcome Mrs. Macfarlane and Miss E. King, who have volunteered for Sunday School work, and regret the loss of a valued teacher m Miss Ivy Hudson, who has been transferred to Auckland m the service of the Government. Miss L. Howse too will shortly be leaving for Queensland, where she will live after her marriage. She has been for years as a pupil and a teacher at the School, where she is much respected, and where her place will be hard to fill. Both these teachers were presented with Bibles by the Vicar, who spoke of his own and their fellow teachers' regret at their early departure. . The Weekly Mission Service on Friday, at 7. 30 p.m., is being very well attended. Last week the Bishop gave a most helpful address on "Blind Bartimseus," and admitted seven more men to the C.E.M.S. The Confirmation Classes are m full swing for girls, married women and men, and lads. These, together with Scripture Classes for those entering for the Sunday School Diocesan examination, occupy a good deal of the Vicar's time and will do so up to Xmas. The Need af an Assistant to the Vicar was plainly seen by our Missioner, who spoke of it. Our Bishop has long seen the necessity of the same and kindly talked the matter over with* the Vestry. It is suggested to hold a large Parish social and discuss the matter there. If all will help an adequate stipend could be raised. The sooner the better for the Parish, which cannot be properly looked after by the Vicar alone. The Oirls' Club, under Miss E. Williamson, gave a capital display of clubs, dumbbells, running mazes, and wands, interspersed with songs, at the distribution of prizes to those who had won the various competitions which were kindly judged by Mr. Ringland. Since our last issue the Parish has lost a most kind friend m the late Mrs. Henry Russell, who, ever since she was a Parishioner at Waipukurau, has loyally supported the Vicar's work and given to Diocesan funds. She was deeply interested m all Church work up to the last m her 91 st year. Mrs. Cross and her family have the sympathy of many friends m their loss of Mr. G. T. Cross, a very old and well-known resident of ou» town. : Mrs. Skipage, one of our earliest workers, passed to her rest at an advanced age last month,