ANGLICAN SOCIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3766, 30 May 1907, Page 3

ANGLICAN SOCIAL.

A social meeting was held last evening in the Anglican Church schoolroom for the purpose oi making a presentation to the Rev. Mr Wilson, the late vicar of the parish, and Miss Wilson; and of welcoming his successor, the Rev. Mr Woodward. The meeting was well attended by members of the Anglican Church mainly, and was a pronounced success. We may say, however, that we have heard many complaints this morning from outsiders and others who would have been present, if the date and object of the meeting had been more fully notified. It is well known that Mr Wilson was held in high esteem not only by his own people, but by the whole community. The proceedings commenced with some concert items, vocal and instrumental, very effectively rendered by Miss Gray, Mrs Barnard, Mrs Healey, Miss Adams, Miss A. Symons, Mr Betty, and the Rev. Mr Wilson. The usual social refreshments, provided by the ladies of the congregation, were then handed round and duly appreciated. The chairman, the Rev. Mr Woodward, then called upon Mr Stewart, vicar’s churchwarden, to make the presentation to Mr and Miss W T ilson of a very handsome sideboard from the members of his late congregation at this end of the parochial district. This Mr Stewart did in a brief but very happy little speech, in the course of which he stated that when it became known that the proposed division of the parochial district had become an established fact the people at this end were one and all most anxious that Mr Wilson should be continued here. However, it had pleased Providence and the Bishop to place Mr Wilson in charge of the Rongotea end, and the news of his translation to Rongotea had been received with feelings of genuine sorrow and regret by the members and adherents of All Saints’ Church. During the period of his ministry amongst them they had learned to appreciate his whole-souled devotion to the duties of his sacred office, his personal sympathy with his people, rich and poor alike, and his willingness and ability to give wise counsel when most needed. In his daily life and conversation he had exemplified the teachings of the Divine Master by his earnest faithfulness, Christian kindliness, and personal godliness. Mr Wilson responded in a characteristic and feeling speech on behalf of his sister and himself, thanking the people warmly for the expression of their kindness and goodwill-,v and wishing All Saints’ Church great prosperity under the guidance of his successor. In conclusion, he dwelt on the sole purpose for which he had first come to the parish and lived in it for five years, which was the promotion, deepening and strengthening of religion—religion pure and simple—in the hearts of the people. When Mr Wilson resumed his seat, amid great applause, Mr G. W. Morgan tendered a hearty welcome to the new vicar (the Rev. Mr Woodward), expressing his high admiration of that gentleman’s talents and capacity as a preacher, organiser, and worker, —admiration which was shared by the people generally —and his assurance that he would prove a worthy successor of Mr Wilson. Mr Woodward responded in a vigorous speech, the key-note of which was the necessity of enthusiasm, earnestness, wholeheartedness in the cause and work of God and the church.

The Vicar in reply to Mr Morgan’s able and encouraging speech of welcome, said he was indeed pleased to be a sharer with Mr Wilson in the evening’s festivities, He sympathised in all sincerity with the loss the parish had sustained in losing their old vicar. Mr Wilson had indeed been a living example of real holiness and true piety. The function that night reminded him of a New Year Eve. The old brought back sweet memories of happy hours, but what of the new ? It was as a blank page on which at present there was no writing. He thanked the parishioners for their hospitality. He said that he thought he would be able to get on very well with the people, providing they had one thing: “Enthusiasm.” —Enthusiasm would be the cement that would bind priest and people together. He also remarked that church work was a steady toil for the Master—not work to be done for applause or by fits and starts — but from the motive of love, “ Nobody does anything in this world whose mind is made up like the legs of a grasshopper, for giving jumps now and then, instead of going steadily oa every day doing his duty, and carrying the load of every day, like the patient ox, who, though he may be slow, is, at all events sure,”

He concluded by stating that if the Church should be financially successful as well as spiritually, and gifts given for the glory of God it would be the grace of God working in the congregation. • So whoever did the good it would come only tnrough the working and grace of God. The meeting was closed by the singing of the National Anthem.