STRIKING TRIBUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1929, Page 8

STRIKING TRIBUTE

THE LATE MR A. G. NIGHTINGALE

HUNDREDS PAY LAST RESPECTS

(Nelson Evening Mail of April 26th)

On Wednesday afternoon some hundreds of citizens paid tribute to tiie memory of the late Mr A. G. Nightingale. The funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Nelson, while St. ./(din’s Mctiiodist Church, in which a short service conducted by the Rev. P. N. Knight was held on the way to the cemetery, was well lihed by the most representative attendance of citizens.

The chief mourners were Messrs J. R., A. G., and M. A. Nightingale, sons of the deceased, Mr H. J. Nightinale, brother, Mr W. G. McKay, and Mr Armstrong, a member of the linn. The duties of pall-bearers were carried by Messrs C. R. Fell, president of the' V.M.C.A., Mr S. Gough, representing the staff of McKay and Son, Mr S. Collier (of St. John’s Church), Mr H. Hunt, Nelson Soft Goods Association, Mr D. Neal, of the New Zealand Fruitgrov/es’ Federation, and Mr 0. Barton, representing the Waimea Lodge. Among those present were the Mayor of Nelson (Mr W. J. Moifatt) and the City Councillors, several cx-Mayors, the Bishop l of Nelson (Dr. Sadlier), Archdeacon Dart, Mr T. Neale, president of the Rotary Class members of St. John’s Church attended in a body. In a short address at the service in St. John’s Church, the Rev. P. N. Knight said: “It seems to me an inscrutiblo mystery and little loss than tragic that the last time 1 stood in this pulpit, only a few hours ago, A. G. Nightingale sat in his pew and discharged the duties of his office—and before the very flowers that his eyes looked on are withered and faded lie himself has passed from human sight. 1 repeat, to me it seems an insoluble mystery.

“When Martin- Smith, went home 8 months ago, we were as a church sorely stoic..on, and the question arose on many lips, “What shall we do, shall we ever fill his place?” Then, 'in God’s providence, Albert George Nightingale came to the rescue and in addition to the heavy burden lie already carried, lie took over Mr Smith’s duties, and we were comforted, we thanked God and took courage again. And now (he, too, has gone, and ue andoubly bereaved, yet wo rejoice in many happy memories and we deeply appreciate the faithful service he rendered to our church and school for 16 years.

“At the end of 1913 Mr Nightingale came from Groymoutli to Nelson, and at once was appointed an officer of St. John’s Church. A few months later, when Mr H. P. Mourant left Nelson, lie accepted the superiiiteiuleney of the Sunday School 1 , and last year was elected to the chief office of Circuit Steward in place of Mr Smith. These varied offices he held until his death, and fulfilled them all with groat credit to himself and perfect satisfaction to all associated with him. You will have read in -the brief notice in the “Evening Mail” that his interests were many. Ms a prominent business man, a member of the City Council for six years, an active director of the Y.M.C.A., a Mason and a Rotanan he found abundant scope for his energies, and displayed the same qualities that were ever present in his religious activities. “His elm meter is summed up in .a Scripture phrase, like Barnabas of old ‘He was a goad man. full of the Holy Ghost and of faith,’ Generous to a fault in his gifts, every request for help for any good cause found a read v and handsome response in A. G. Nightingale. Generous, too, in Ins judgements no harsh word concerning other'or unfair criticism of them ever passed bis lips. Ready to excuse rather than accuse, he ever displayed that charity that 'covered a multitude of sins. It was wonderfully true that while he had countless friends lie had not a single enemy. The clmrcn is poorer and'the whole community is poorer when such a man is taken.from it.

“His sell-forgetful devotion to duty was probuoly the cause of ‘his early death, for a man is normally little more than at his best at 59. Had ho taken a little more rest or thought a little more for himself,, lie might possibly have overcome the heart-weakness that eventually cut him oil’. But when his business-week ended lie threw himselt with generous enthusiasm into th_cause of church and school, bearing other people’s burdens till like his Divine .Master, lie sank under the load. We can all see now,, wliat he himself refused to admit, that he was an overburdened man. But if the loss ol llic church and community is great, that of the family is still greater. Hi.-> family life was simply ideal, in the sweet privacy of his home, Jiis days were crowded with love and peace. Here the loss is tragic and irreparable, and we can out express our teiulerest sympathy with the bereaved widow and (hiklren, and pray that the grace oi God may sustain them in this . time of need.

“.Mr Nightingale’s death was sudden and unexpected, .as all such deaths are, but it came not altogether without warning. For some months he has carried on under strain, and his physical condition caused his friends no little anxiety. But his very courage and cheerfulness disarmed fear, and so lie bore his burden to the end, and laid down his task and his life together. What can v>c say concerning such devotion, dare we blame him? .Must we not rather acknowledge that lie has set up a noble example and strive to follow where he trod? Such unswerving devotion to duly, maybe, is rare, but surely it is very beautiful and praiseworthy, and we may well say with Poet Montgomery:

“Servant of God, well done, Rest from thy loved, employ, The battle ionght, the victory won, Enter thy Master’s joy.”

The burial service was conducted by tc Rev. P. N. Knight, and the Masonic service was read by the W.M.. Bro. 0. Barton and J. Williams.