S. Andrew's Port Napier.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume II, Issue 12, 1 June 1912, Page 178

S. Andrew's Port Napier.

Vicar : Rev, 0., D&iMii * Mrs. Botham, beloved wife of .Gaptain Botham, one of the oldest resif dents m the Parish, who was also one of our most zealous " ; Church, workers, passed to* her Eternal reward on April 25th. ' She had been a great sufferer, bearing her pains with quiet heroism. A memorial service was held on the Sunday eveno ing shortly afterwards, the' Vicar taking the- appropriate text, " Absent from . the body, at home with the Lord," 11. Cor. v., 8 (R.V.). After' alluding to the beauty of the word "Home,", the ' Vicar went on to say, such a text as this given us by the greatest of all specialists m the Christian religion, S. Paul, gave no countenance whatever toi ' the gloomy creed of some, that at. death the soul, as. well as the . body, was plunged m a long sleep, till the Judg-. ment Day. Such a view was doubtless, true of the body (hence the meaning of such texts -.as " asleep m Jesus," etc.), but- not of the soul, which,' as the .text plainly asserted, went, m the case of the faithful departed, at once to its place of reward—not Heaven, but Paradise, the vestibule of Heaven. This was supported; by the additional . words of the same Apostle, writing to another Church, that at Philippi, to whom he says "to depart and be with Christ, which is very, far better." But above all they had the words, of the Saviour Christ Himself, addressed to the dying thief, "To-day shall thou be with me m Paradise." The Bible, resting there on the lectern, teaching them by the quiet ritual of its ever-open pages at all the services that this was the Church's Supreme. Court of Appeal, gave no support whatever to a belief, m Purgatory. It was obstinately silent as to the existence of any such place ; but it did teach most plainly that all who. but only they, who rested on the merits of a Crucified Saviour, and honestly tried to follow him, would find themselves from day to day "■ a day's march nearer home." On Wednesday afternoon, May 16,, a large number of, persons witnessed' the laying of the foundation block of our new Church at Westshore. dedd-, cated m the name of S-. Columba, pv Archdeacon Ruddock, m the unavoidable absence of Bishop Williams. The weather was simply perfect; and -the sprvifie mos,t impressive, m character,.

The following clergy were present : Archdeacon RuddocK, Canons Mayne and Tuke, Revs. A. P. Clarke* Oliver Dean (Vicar), and C. Wilson. The Psalm (84th) was read by the Vicar, the Lessons by Canons Tuke and Mayne, whilst the fine voice of Mr. Clark was heard to advantage as Precentor. JVirs. Dean presided at the organ. The hymns chosen were 3^4, " O Lord of Hosts, Whose Glory Fills," and " The Church's One Foundation." Alter the Archdeacon gave his address, a liberal offertory was received, and after a few words of hearty thanKs to the donors antl various helper* from the Vicar, the proceedings terminated with the Benediction. The site on which the Church is being erected is probably one of the best at Westshore, is most centrally situated, and has a commanding view of the whole district. Messrs R. Holt and Sons are the builders, from plans kindly supplied by Mr. W. P. Finch. Only heart timber is being used throughout, even to the seats. The land is the generous gift of Mr. T. . C Williams, of Auckland, m response to a personal interview by the Vicar, who is thankful to announce that he has been enabled to collect the whole sum necessary for the construction of the Church, this happy result being finally attained the day after the foundation block was laid. This does not, however, include money still needed for the furnishing of the building, the providing of a :beil, or the fencing of the section. The vicar, Rev. Oliver Dean, will be most thankful to receive any contributions for these requirements.