LONG MINISTRY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 94, 15 January 1935, Page 4

LONG MINISTRY

Rev. Henry Bevis, vicar of Arlinghain, Gloucestershire, England, who was tlie first iucniubent of AU Saints’ Church, Palmerston North, recently preached bis farewell sermon, at the advanced age of ninety-two, to a crowded congregation. Great regret will be felt at the'fact that this faithful servant of the Church is gradually going blind, says an English paper. Gifted as a poet, preacher and painter, Mr. Bevis began his full and fruitful life of study at Cbeshuut College, being recommended by the famous U. H. Spurgeon. Going to Canada, he was ordained deacon by tlie Bishop of Ontario, at the time of the FraueoPrussian War. Returning to England, he became curate of Melton Mowbray. Subsequenlly he gave service in New Zealand, and was tlie first vicar of All Saints’, being priest, in charge of the district which extended from the Rangitikei to the Manawatu River. He was in charge of the parish when, on September 21), 1875, four years after tlie first settlers came to Palmerston North, the foundation-stone of the original All Saints’ Church was laid by the late Mrs. G. M. Sue!son. After returning to England, Mr. Bevis entered Christ’s College, Cambridge, in 1881, also acting' as curate at St. Paul’s, thence on to Middle Chinnock, and finally to Arlhigha(i. He is now retiring as one of tlie oldest vicars in England after a successful ministry of 64 years.