ARCHBISHOP JULIUS.
PUBLIC FAREWELL. j i
AN INSPIRING FUNCTION.
Even to a man who has risen to such eminence, his city could scarcely 4
pay him a greater tribute- than that which Christchurch laid before his Graco Archbishop Julins, lato Primate of New Zealand and Bishop of Christchurch, last night, when over 6000 of its citizens of all denominations, gathered in tho King Edward Barracks to bid farewell to his Grace on the occasion of his retirement from office, and an re*oir in view of the visit he and Miss Julius will shortly make to England. Only for the elaborate preparations mado by a capable committee, there would have been serious congestion at the Barracks, but tho vast number iras not only admitted in a most orderly fashion but evorj-onc wa3 seated. Tho platform, set iu tho centre of the Barracks, was crowded with citizens representative of all interests. Primarily, tho gathering was of a diocesan character, and tho following institutions were represented:—The Standing Committee, the Cathedral Chapter, the Bishop's Court, tho Chureh Property Trustees, the Clergy Pension Fund, Canterbury College Board of Governors, Christ's College Board of Governors, Christ's College staff, Church Board of Education, tho various church schools, tho various orphanages, the Mothers' "Union, tho Girls' Friendly Society, the Choral Association, tho diocesan lay readers and numerous others. The Very Rev. tho Dean of Christchurch presided.
Au amplifier was attached to the stage, but nono of tUo speakers except the Dean took kindly to it.
"A Very Dear Leader."
The Dean announced various speakers, and stated that through them the assemblage would express front tho iottom of their hearts what they felt towards their very dear leader, friend, and master, the* Archbishop. It waa aot really a farewell, because they hoped to have him back again. What they waited to do was to tell him how deeply they valued his presence among them. He read apologies far absence freat various members of the elergy. Bishop Brodie'a Stasace, The following message from his Lord■ship Bishop Brodie, who was to have attended, bat who was called away ta Bobs, following upofc the anddeav death of tho Bev. Rither Biordan, waa aba road by tho Dean. "Owing to the death of a priest, X ant delayed en the West Oeast, and regret I am unable to attend the ATehbishop'e farewell. Kindly, convey aa apology. "I heartily congratulate his Grace on his long life of episcopal weak, a*d wish him many years to eaooarage w*t« sympathetic interest the charitable and eivie actrfiflee with which in his long life he has bee* *e happily associated.''The reading of the message waa received jrlth. much applause. " ;
The CrUttn'* FNUaSi. The Mayor stated that he feH ifc was a privilege and honour to xegtt' sent the eitieens generally, and «• their behalf, to ooave* the best wiafc» , of the whole contatanlty, and to e*o•gratulato the Archbishop '** oa k- j£' retirtanent from the intoy positions he had held in ChOPM and the great, service* ho had ttridered «» ail sections of the eoaunantty. »™ the history,of CaiAerfrtrjy **&*]& t» written, l«fe two great etonta--tifle 7&WltoMfeia»rjr* of the founding of the pWttaee, Mi* the retirement of the Frigate of MOT Zealand and Bfehop of Ohnatdwrtb. (Applause.) It was wot sM<* the **»#?» , that* fcad been # ,*<W 34 year*, and hw Gra«t..wto had Me» Btfhoy 35 »«*«, and both bad I**» ! J*iaj»fc» of K«w Zealand, (AjgSamJ , It wasllkowiae apwwmte tfiat **£■ , was connected irfth Chn*> <*»£&£ Ballarat, and *«a le«rU* *jt *>**f, were very sorty that ti* tunf *aa arritoi when his Grace deemed itjoe 4ity to hand orer the r«ma of «•* t£ another, tAs to bus work .?«*£*? the Church, there wa» no donbt that his Grace had taken more than a paging interestTn the welfare of t»e**£; In fact, he way in the city. (Applause.) Hto Woadof evil, and his principle a* all tog* of nphoMing tlio"right, .had *w «* Wm She lore a*d of *fci "Bor a time,' added the a **J?* "we shall mia» his familiar face m w breezy ntteraaoeß at pnWb «******; fami expressing the fcefo** «* .-J* when I say that *e ****»£ < which he is undertaking will pwtf beneficial that he will return WJW"*ated and aMe to take part *« *** affaire of the city, and the dietrtet «■ Canterbury, to which his dflepeattttwcst has for many yean been given.'The people desired hfan to «K«&d « his Grace all good wishes for hj» fotnre happiness, and hoped that he jow* longfoe spared to seethe fWK* otto labour for the good' of the COmmtUßty. - No one would oe more welcome htek- - in the fair city of CTiristeburch ifcaa the ArchbishDp hhaselfi The Jfer** conddded by describing, the ArchblAop as a man who posswatd "that rifthfcwhich exaKetn." Approachable.' *
Archdeacon P. B. Baggitt, speaking for the clergy, said it was a sad delation for the clergy, but he was out »- »ng to strike the note of sadness, wit rather that of achievement. His Grace had done a great work among then, and they thanked God for It. The Archbishop had helped the dergy hy liis humanity—his bumanness. It was quite possible to imagine a bishop, a Httle less than human—that w» not the case with Archbishop JoKua. He had been deacon, priest, bishop, Primate, and now Archbishop, bat ho was a man for a' that"; every inch a man, r,nd a big man at that. (Appjaosc.) In that the Archbishop had set his> eJemgr i a very high example. He had also helped by his unfailing taadneas and courtesv. They had never foaad tt hard to approach hie Gfijoe. Ha was always the Bishop, and the clergy W « that Shore M: • I S?^,>^HLt U S-SS nity of the office; but;he t had ««**» ibeen eminently a "father in God.'' Hia great interest m socud matters had «et the clergy•» vorv striking example j»d «"*« «*«■ f a real insn&ation. I** AH******, ". bad aiTorded them another great «*► u -'I
ample in dealing with social problems of the day. The -three-institutions in which the Archbishop had been most interested were education (including: the hostel, towards which he had sacrificed halt his income), St. Anne's Home, and the St. Saviour's orphan--ages. For all these things the /clergy were very grateful to his Grace, and! they wished him many years of rest-, ful and honoured retirement. | Begard of the Laity. Representing the laity, Mr H. D. ) Andrews said that he had served under his Grace in various Synods and Chur«h societies for 30 years, and had to the full appreciated Ins splendid work on them all. His foresight, and his sympathetic , and broad-nrinded treatment of the | Mattins which* had come before him, > even when those over whom he presided blundered, his stern rebuke, where rebuke was needed, his great strength of character, his Teady assistance and his humanity had won the esteem of all, just as had his wholehearted devotion to his work, into which he threw all his zeal and devotion. It was no easv task his Grace had had when he came to Christchurch to succeed Bishop Harper, whom those who were old enough still remembered with* affection and esteem. In its first 70 years Christchurch had indeed been fortunate in the two bishops which it had had. Bishop Harper was not a man easy to succeed, nor would Archbishop Julius bo. Mr Andrews reviewed the progress that the diocese had made Bince the Archbishop had arrived 35 year s ago, and mentioned the great service that, had been done to the community by the arrival of the deaconesses, whose only reward for their work was that more was put 0 n to them. Those years had also seen the foundation, extension and development of St. Saviour's orphan-f ages, St: Anne's Institution, the Maori Girls' College, St. Michael's and St. Matthew's Church School, the Girls' Hostels on the Coast, and in Cranmer square, extensive church-building, and the "completion of the Cathedral. The presence pf representatives of other communions and interests spoke more eloquently than anything he v could say. of the esteem in which the Archbishop was held-by mother sections, of the community. The occasion was one of sadness, but the sadness turned to joy when they considered what the Archbishop had achieved, and they wanted to' send him-on his way rejoicing. Mr Andrews then handed to his Grace a wallet-containing a cheque, and expressed a hope that he would be able* to buy with it in England something \ that would remind him of the esteem and love, in? which he was held. _ He wished his Grace and Miss Julius a happy and' prosperous • voyage' and a safe return to New Zealand, to which they would-all look forward with interest and pleasure. Work for Women and Children. A happily-constructed speech was given by Mrs E. A. M. Roberta, who expressed to his Grace the- sentiments of the women of the diocese. It was with keen regret,. she observed, that "the women viewed the approaching departure of the Archbishop. '1 was only a young girl when his Grace came to , Christchurch,"-said Mrs Roberts, "but I can remember- the sympathy which he gave to the small band of women workers who were operating in the diocese." His Grace, she added, had soon realised the need of a community of earnest women/ ■• and so he b.ad brought out Sisler'Anne. • / There were, of course, times whe'nihe had said "0, bother tha women." {Laughter.) She had heard him say it. (Laughter.) T3ut she didnob think he meant it in his heart. He had. proved;' as 'the' other speakers had.stated, most approachable. Sometimes he'could be stern. As an in- \ stance, he had once said to her, "Now, my dear, good ladvl J,v "and when the bishop v says to you *my dearj good lady;!' " continued Mrs Roberts amidst) laughter, "yon don't,want,to hear it again'P " His intense love of the chtt- , dren, she said, was one of his characteristics that appealed to the women of the.diocese. He knew how. to reach
the hearts and minds of the children. / There Bad' been occasions when the women differed from him. Once at a meeting of the Mothers' Union he
stated that he was old-fashioned enough .> to. think that women should vote as * their, husbands ,. wished \- '.. (Laughter.) In wishing bis Grace a happy voyage, Mrs Roberts said* that the women of the diocese who had knelt before him for confirmation and whose eons and daughters later went before him for the layingVon of hands, had a feeling for Mm that conld' never be obliterated, (Applause.) This concluded the diocesan speeches, and before the Rev. E. D. Patchett, president of the Ministers' Association, rose to express the sentiments of the jOther churches, the audience stood and sang ihe hymn "O God tour Help in 'Ages Past.".
Outside Churches. Mr Patchett declared that the As-sociation-would have him speak without reservation of their unbounded admiral tion and; affection for Archbishop Julius. : Past and present ministers were represented in the sentiments he expressed. i To them all Tie had been honoured and respected, above his fellows. He had been an. ideal master of assemblies. His qualifies had made him the leader of the* religious and moral forees of the 'district. They could look, to no one who could handle a difficulty with the .same consideration and tactfulness aa ■ :his Grace.- He had a wonderful way ofl handling I ,men—even of theologians. Even when there was . a clash, he brought them into calm waters. The ministers ; of the city felt.acutely the retirement: y. of his Grace. There was hot a church in the 'district that had not been blessed by the Archbishop's coming and going. Congratulation and hot commiseration was the spirit in which he
came before them that night. In spite oft their they'lOtad to think of ; , the achievements of the past.. They thanked God for ; every rich memory they had of his Grace, and" hoped that the love and loyalty that had crowned hip life would shed an afterglow on the years of rest and retirement he had so nobly earned.
. HIS GRACE'S REPLY; ''"• - 'i „ ' ■ ' "THIRTY-FIVE TEARS AGO." Prolonged cheering greeted the Archbishop when he roße to respond. The audience rose, and when the cheering stopped-his Grace said softly: * 'That 'a right now. Sit down and be quiet." "There are just two things," he began: "the first is, I'm not going to. - be pathetic "When God spares a man to my time of life, in health and strength' of body, if not mind (laughter)—there's no reason for grizzling or "lamenting. The second thing is that-iS you oxpect me to speak through this little pint pot (pointing to the amplifier) you are mistaken. (Loud laughter.) It'was in 1890, said his Grace, that > Nie landed in New Zealand. He was consecrated on May Ist, and there was *' a great meeting to welcome him at the > . Coliseum. The place was very much crowded with people who had never V seen him before—"aud who §id not -knoWjWhat they were in for." - Yet Be received a., warm welconie, such as Christcaurch always gave to strangers., f, '"He was ti'ot surprised. The size of the -' attendance was due to the generosity, I
kindness, and loyalty of the church folk," and perhaps some ■ -wished- to see whether the new man was a man sent of God, and a good deal of the welcome was due to curiosity. (Laughter.) The people had heard about a man. in Ballarat, sometimes known as the "Ballarat larrikin" (laughter) and they wanted to know what sort of man he was. That was 35 years ago. An old man stood before them now. It was a larger hall and a larger audi-, ence. He was very much surprised at the size of it. At the welcome he told a story, and because most of the present audience were in their cradles at the time, he would tell it again. (Laughter.) The Archbishop then related the incident that occurred at the welcome to Bishop Selwyn, who with his wife was surrounded by a crowd pf Natives, who took most interest in Mrs Selwyn. They were greatly taken with Mrs" Selwyn's face and also with her skirt—"ladies wore skirts in those days," added his Grace, amidst prolonged laughter —and when Mrs Selwyn lifted her skirts and showed a black stocking, the Maoris all rose and cried: "We knew it!" He had. told the audience 35 years ago that they had seen his fair face, but not liis black stocking. "You know my faults," added his Grace, "not as well as I know them, but you know them." He told another story about his son, who, when being bade farewell by a country portion of his parish, overheard a man say to another: "Won't you get up and have a word?" The man addressed replied: "No; I've got nothing agin the man!" His Grace said he wished someone had got up, if only for the novelty of the thing, and said something "agin him." They would all have enjoyed it and so would he. (Laughter.) Outside they said of a man, "He's a good fellow, but an awful fool." Inside they left out the "but." Mr Andrews had said a. good deal about his being a good leader and so on, but had never mentioned that he was a duffer at accounts! " (Laughter.)
Help of Clergy and Laity. After explaining that his jokes were due to the fact that if he did not talk [ easily he would be unable to talk at all, his Grace said that as to his being a leader, he could not have been a leader without followers who backed him up. At the outset of his work he feared that he was not the man he ought to be, anoV.when he took over the diocese he was afraid almost to trust in God, so great was the work. The first five gentlemen he met were old men over 75,. and he was just over 40, so that when he went to the Synod he was "down in the depths." ''lt took me a long time'to learn the job," said his Grace, "and. a Ion? time to teach them theirs." (Laughter.) He added that he had not, however, stood alone for a moment. He should have failed utterly but for the help of the clergy and for the assistance of the laity, who had always been to the front in any good work. He gave them his loyal and grateful thanks. "Brother Ministers." "My heart is. so full that if I tried to tell you all that, is in it I would break, down," continued the Archbishop. He thanked- God for having given him the health and strength, the power and understanding to help the people.' • He referred to the other ministers- as -"brothers of the other churches." "A few years ago," his Grace added; "we -would ; have called them 'other bodies:' The Eev. J. J. North, who' is on the platform to-night, and myself would have been at daggers drawn. (Laughter.) As it is, I love him almost as a brother. The term 'other bodies'has a nasty taste. This new spirit has come about because God's spirit is going through the world, and drawing us together, so that all who love the Lord Jesus Christ shall be one. Ido not care for unity of organisation a bit. Nothing of human invention should stand between one Christian man and another. (Applause.) If he had been able to help the ministers of other churches, added his Grace, they also had refreshed him.
■ The Final Message. / "God keep and bless you all," said his Grace, in conclusion. "God bless you and your children. I don't care so much about; you grown-up people, but take care of the children —let them know about the love of. God. The devil is trying all manner of tricks to gain the children. I could tell you of countless influences. If ever New Zealand should turn away from God, from the Gospel, or His ways, His law and worship, if sport or anything else shall stand between Him and her, then she is not worth.preserving, and snail fall." . ' Bef erring to his.successor, his Grace expressed the hope that the people of Christchurch would give him as great a reception; as they had given him 35 years ago, and he prayed that his- successor might.be'a bigger and a better man than the one who was "passing on." His Grace,then,pronounced "the Benediction, and the function.concluded with [ the singing of, the National Anthem. '
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Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 19
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3,072ARCHBISHOP JULIUS. Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 19
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