TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV. E. ROYER.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 443, 11 October 1877, Page 3

TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV. E. ROYER.

The following is a copy of tho address (and the reply thereto) which was forwarded- to the lieT. Father Uoyer from his parishioners and others in the Mount Ida district, with a purse of BOVereignr amounting to £B3 : To the Rev.

Reverend Sir, —¥ our parishioners, friends, and admirers cannot let pass so important an event in your career as your departure -• from Nasebj without availing themselves of' the opportunity to testify to their great' esteem for your character, bk;h appreciation of your missionary labors, and, most of all, to earnestly express those feelings of attachment and regard with which you have invariably inspired all who enjoy the valued privilege of your friendship. We accompany this address with a testimonial, of which we beg your acceptance, as some 'material evidence, however inadequate, of our united feelings in your regard. On looking through the list of subscribers, you will see that the sentiments to which we give expression ar<j not confined to men of any pariicuiai class or creed. Believing that a testimonial of a public nature would be nnaccßptable to you, this movement, the spoilt un-;ous outcome of genuine friendship, has be-on conducted in a ! quiat manner, and hence many who would be eager to participate in any compliment designed for you have not been afforded the means of doing so. It is, however, of a sm> ficiently representative a character to show that, though you have passed through many years an unceasingly active missionary life in New Zealand, and though your convictions were always uncompromisingly upheld, and never sacrificed to expedie icy, you still have achieved the rare success of bearing with you on your departure from us the unaffected esteem of men of every shade of thought and opinion. Ivor do Ave feel surprised at this when we call to mind your readiness on all occasions to forget your own interests at the call of religious or public duty, and bow the whole force of your-' talent, with your unique enthusiasm, was devoted to the service of any cause which enlisted your tympanies or touched your heart. We augiu - for you an ample measure of success in your new home, and we pray that you may be continued in health and strength, which you alone require, to realise our wishes and fulfil our hop?s. Wishing you a hapov and prospsrous future, we remain your sincere friends, Signed on behalf of tho Committee, Micft4'<'l Bhookes, Chairman. B. G<>B 'ON, Sec. and Treas. Si. Francis' Presbvtery, Melbourne, 13th To M3SSB3. Michael Bhooess asd Bbenaud y-OKuotr. Honored Gentlemen, —-To you, and all those . Lind, admiring, and enthusiastic friend", not " only ray own flock, but al3o those differing from me in religious matters, whom you represent, I beg to offer my best and warmest thanks for this extraordinary mark of friendship and esteem. I own I feel not only intensely gratified with, but honesilyard honor- ' ably pr.md of thi* tinc.ere tribute to my poor exertions in the case of religion while among you, not indeed because I believe it will make me one inch better (and I know it will not make me worse) before God and man, but solely because it is the free and un- . solicited expression of the warmth 'and sincerity of your friendshipand personal attachment, and the honest., manly acknowledgment of the appreciation with which my services as a priest of the Lord are regarded by the Mount Ida population, in the entnusiam of your affection I cannot help thinking that you over estimate both myself ~ and my, missionary services. The few "' abilites I possessed were ever joyfully, faithfully, and conscientiously employed for. the. moral, spiritual and intellectual benefit of all those committed to my charge; and the Title that I ever was capable of aoing for the temporal and spiritual welfare of St. Patrick's congregation was to me a labor both of duty and friendship, made all the more agreeable' by their constant obedience and faithful cooperation. Honored Gentlemen, I rejoice that his Lordship Dr. Moran has been so fortunate as to secure for the Mount Ida (,'a tholio population the services of a priest 'eminently pious and energetic ; consequently my late parishioners will enjoy the same fa- ,' cilities for the worship of Almighty God and the salvation of their immortal souls. I shall ever faithfully treasure this tribute of your esteem and friendship. Wishing you every blessing that .the Lord can bestow, I-,. bid you all an afiectionate and find adieu, -i. E. BjOyfr.- ,"