PRESENTATION.

Evening Star, Issue 4292, 28 November 1876, Page 4

PRESENTATION.

Yesterday afternoon the Rev. E. G. Penny (who leaves for Christchurch to-morrow to accept the pastorate of St. Michael's Church there) was presented with testimonials from his late parishioners and friends. Mr Maitland, R.M., presided, and among those present were the Bishop of the diccese, Archdeacon Edwards, and. the Rev. W. P. oldham, while there was a large attendance of ladies. Mr James Rattray, who had been deputed to make the presentation, addressed Mr Penny as follows :—"As soon as the congregation learnt of your resignation, a general desire was expressed, and the Vestry thought that you should not be allowed to go without something being presented to you by which you will recall to mind the congregation you are leaving behind. The membtrs of the Vestry took this in hand, and I am glad to say thatthe responsehas been so universal amongst the members of the congregation that it has caused them some embarrasment, because they commenced their intention with a somewhat modest object. In order to present some one thing to you, we strictly confined the matter to our own congregation. Notwithstanding the measure we put upon the movement by restricting their offerings, we are obliged to put the matter before you in this shape. We desire you to accept from us this microscope, and, as well, we must ask you to accept of the purse of sovereigns which we have not been able to expend, desiring that you may make use of that as you may see tit. We understand that the microscope will be an object of great interest to yourself, and we trust that besides serving as a slight memorial of those you leave behind, it will induce you to increase those moments of leisure which you did not sufficiently indulge in here.— (Applause.) Mr G. Cook made a similar presentation of a purse of sovereigns, on behalf of Mr Penny's friends in St. Paul's and All Saints' parishes. Bishop Nevtll complimented Mr Penny on the result of his labors here, and said he and the nominators would have some difficulty in filling his place. The Rev. E. G. Penny, in briefly returning thanks, said it was certainly unexpected by him that his "parishioners and other friends in this diocese would have made ocular demonstration of their kindness to llim, though he was aware of their friendly sentiments. They knew him sufficiently well to know that no low motive was separating him from them at this time. A modest competence was all that ministers required. The health of one who was dearest to him necessitated the change. As God had signally blessed St. Matthew's parish in the past, He would continue to Bupply"'to it the necessary vitality and strength, • After referring to the unanimity that existed amongst the officers of the Church, he said that he had honestly worked to the best of his ability for the parish. He bade them heartily farewell, and commended them to God's guidance, and trusted that the grace of His Holy Spirit would be with themselves and theirs unto the end. He might add that he was extremely gratified to them for their generous gifts. His love of Nature and its wonders was by no means to be despised as one way of forming religious sentiments. He trusted that his successor would receive the cordial co-operation of the parishioners, and that their future labors would be richly blessed. Though absent from them his interest in their welfare and progress would be continued.—(Applause.)