IN MEMORIAM.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 26, Issue 6, 1 June 1936, Page 2

IN MEMORIAM.

Isaac Richards was born at Tavistock, iri Devonshire, on February 11th, 1859. His father was a civil engineer who had carried out several important works m the west of England. He was educated at the Wesleyan College, TaUnton, and at Exeter College, Oxford, where he held a scholarship. He graduated m 1882, having obtained second-class honours m mathematics, m moderations and final schools: and was ordained deacon the same year by the Bishop of Truro (Benson), being admitted to priest's orders m the following year. He was curate at St. Paul's, Truro, from 1882 to 1886; and, m 1885, he married Gertrude, the daughter of Dr. Robert Oxland, of Plymouth. In 1886 he came to New Zealand as Vicar of St. Mark's, Remuera, where he remained till 1895, when he was appointed warden of Selwyn College, Dunedin, which position he held until 1900. As warden ho had the pastoral charge of a district Connected with the college; and, m 1896, he was made a canon of the diocese. It is interesting for us to remember that a former pupil of his at Selwyn College is beneficed m our Diocese, the Rev. G. W. Davidson, of Woodville. In 1900, he accepted the parish of Tuapeka, and, while there, he became, m 1904, a member of the Board of Theological Studies, m which capacity he rendered valuable service to the Province until his elevation to the Bishopric m 1919. In 1908 he was made Archdeacon of Queenstown. In 1916, he and Mrs. Richards took a trip to. England, .arriving, there tp hear the sad news that their two elder, sons had been killed m. GGarl r lippi^ ; ;'. . "' ''//.",. '"'" While' atjseiit, .he, was, appointed Vicar arid Archdeacon of Irivercargiil, and, three years -.later, v on the

resignation of Bishop Nevill, he was elected Bishop of the Diocese. He was . consecrated on the Feast of the Epiphany, 1920, by the Bishop of Christchurch, Acting-Primate, who was assisted by the Bishops of Wellington, Nelson and Waiapu and Bishop Nevill. As Bishop, he spent himself m the service of the Church, and his health, which had never been robust, gradually weakened, so that he felt obliged to resign m 1934, when he retired to Christchurch, living with his wife and daughter on the hills at Opawa. His heart had already shown signs of weakness, and when internal trouble necessitated an operation he gradually grew worse and passed peacefully to rest on Sunday, May 10th.

He was a sound churchman, scholarly and thoughtful. His straightforwardness and simple honesty of purpose allowed him at times to be over generous m his judgment of others. He combined saintliness of life with fixity of purpose and fearless opposition to what he believed to be wrong. His preaching was characterised by deep spirituality of thought rather than by oratorical finish. The Church of the Province has been the richer for his fifty years of devoted service.

In the councils of the church he was conservative, and strongly opposed the attempts to alter the Fundamental Clauses of the Constitution.

While m England m 1916 he published a book, "The Lord and Giver of Life," based upon addresses which he had given at a women's retreat.

In addition to his work on the Board of Theological Studies he was for six years examining chaplain to the Bishop of Dunedin. But his educational interest was not confined to theology. He took a very active part m the founding of St. Hilda's School for Girls m Dunedin, and, to the day of his death, it was very dear to his heart. At Invercargill he founded St. John's School for girls, which has done good service, though it suffered from the depression like others.

As a man, behind a seriousness of aspect, he had a very keen sense of humour. He was a fine cricketer, having captained his school and his college — and, while at Remuera, he

played m the Auckland Provincial Eleven. A year before his resignation he played an impromptu innings at the opening of the season m Dunedin. He is survived by his wife and elder daughter (the younger daughter died a few years ago) and by two sons, Mr. R. G. Richards, headmaster of Christ's College, and the Rev. Lionel Richards, Vicar of Gladstone. He will be deeply missed by a large number of friends — to know him was to love him: but we can thank God for a noble life.