IN MEMORIAM.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1923, Page 4

IN MEMORIAM.

CHANCEL WINDOW TN ST, ALBAN’S CHURCH THE LATE .MIL KNOX GILMER AN [AI PRESS) YE SERVICE AT EASTBOURNE. The pretty little Anglican Church of St. A limns Eastbourne was crowded to its utmost limit on Saturday afternoon, October fl 7, on occasion ol the unveiling a memorial window to the memory of the late Mr Knox Oilmer, who was prominently associated with the life ot the church as vestryman. I ho window which is a beautiful piece of work, hears tiie following inserip lion: “To the glory ol (Ltd and in loving memory of Knox (iilmer, who died fifth duly, 1021. this window is placed by his children, .Mary and Jean." The glass work was carried out by .Messers. Clayton and Bell, of Bond street. London, the work of erection being done by .Messers. W. il, Higgins and S. Fisher, of Eastbourne. The subject of the window is the Ascension ot Christ, the central figure dominating the whole design in a (daze ot colour, beautifully carried out. Supporting angels on either side hear scrolls carrying Gospel injunction's, while the background is an azure sky of great beauty. Below the angels is the green summit of the Hill of Ascension, and grouped around are the Disciples with the Mother ol Jesus ia the foreground. All the figures, more especially the central one are of great dignity, and the grouping is masterly. There is glorious harmony in the brilliant lines employed, and when Hie departing sun strikes through the prismatic cllcels which have been obtained, both sanctury and church are toned with a light giving a distinctly religious atmosphere. The elergv oMieating Were the Bishop of Wellington (|)r Sprotr.). who carried out Hie unveiling: (’anon Bean, ol Christchurch, who read the first lessen; the Rev T. M. Johnson. Archdeacon ol Wellington, who read the see I lesson ; the Rev. A. W. ,11. ('< mptuii. vicar ot Brooklyn, who read the praters; and the Rev. (). M. Stent, vicar of Eastbourne, who made the announcements.

Among the laity present were Mrs Knox Gilmer and her two children. Dr and Mrs Gilmer. .Mr and .Mrs S. 11. Gilmer. Mr and Mrs Hugh Gilmer. Mr and .Mrs Andrew Haniiltoii, Mrs Soddon. Dr and Airs Herbert. Dr and Mrs Aloriee and the .Misses Morice, Alt mid Airs Frank Dyer and -Miss D.ver. Dr and Mrs Hay. Sir William and Lady Hall-Jones, Air and All's .). I’. I'irtli, Air and Airs W. E. Betlnme. Mr F. 11. Alathor (.Mayor of Eastbourne) and .Mrs .Mather. Air and MrsJ. Barker. Air and Mrs G. 11. Dixon. Mr H. A. Lotig'inan. Air K. Txirkcaldie. Air A. Wvlie, Colonel St J. Deere. Air Dar-roc-li. Dr and .Mrs Al'Evcdy, and representatives of Lodge Aorangi and West Coast Association. Wellington College Old Boys Association, and others. The service opened with the hymn “Abide With Me.’’ after which _ the churchwardens (.Messers. St J. A\ bite and Arorrison)petitioned the Bishop to unveil the window on behalf ol the children of the Info Air Gilmer. •flu. Bishop of Wellington, preached a Brief sermon niter the dedication hail been made, during which he eulogised the service rendered to the church by the late Air Gilmer. “He was known to you all,’’ saitl Dr Sprott, “and was loved bv malty.” He referred to the subject, of the memorial, which contained a message of hope and consolation and was well fitted to he associated with God’s house and the (hristian faith. Christianity of the present day had lost much of its early radiance., and nothing was more significant ol this fact, than the way in which dent.li was usually treated, surroundug it with gloom and sadness. Primitive Christians did not treat the passing from life in this manner. When they laid their loved cues away the emblems used were always cheer and hope. '1 hey reallv and truly believed, in the Ascension.' "I am glad that the memorial has taken this form,” he concluded,

“for from generation to generation this truth will he brought, before worshippers in this church. I think t lust ali who worship, here in luiure will heat the voice of Christ saying. ‘Lilt tip vour heart.; to the Lord,' ami then from the verv hearts of the people will come the response.'Veit, we lift them up to the Lord." A large . 11 oi 1 • sang a suitable anthem and an Impressive service terminated w ith th-. Ben..(lie! ion pronounced hv the Bishop. Aftior tile ceremony Airs Knox Gilmer held a reception at her home in Konini street, at which there was a large family gathering. Apart irom relative-' there were many others presold. .St, Alban’s Clnirpli. built in 19Kb lias received several benefactions Irom the Gilmer and Sedihoi tamilies. Ihe church bell dedicated by the late Air Knox Gilmer ami Airs Gilmer to the memory of the late Captain R. J. S. Sodden, killed in Franco in 1918; the white altar cloth anil hangings were presented by Alts Knox Gilmer in memory of the late Air Hamilton Gilmer: and the Communion .Service was the gift of .Miss Sedihoi, now Airs (Dr) Hav. in inemorv of Captain Sedilon.