THE NEW INCUMBENT OF CHRIST CHURCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 76, 30 March 1874, Page 2

THE NEW INCUMBENT OF CHRIST CHURCH.

As tbe gentleman alluded to below (the Rev. Charles Leighton) is about to hold an important position in Nelson, it will, we believe, be interesting not only to the members of the congregation of Christ Cburcb, of which he is to be the incumbent, but to many others in Nelson to learn something about him. This may be done by reading the following abridged report from the Herald, a Lancashire paper: — " The members of the congregation attending at Bispbam Parish Church, the teachers and friends of the Sunday school connected with the churcb, and the residents in the parish generally, held a meeting in the school-room in that village, on Wednesday evening, for the purpose of giving a public farewell to the vicar of the parish— tho Rev. J. Leighton — who is about leaving the place. The rev. gentleman, who has been laboring in this little village /or upwards of twelve years, has resigned his cure, and accepted an appointment to the Cathedral Church at Nelson, New Zealand," Testimonials ware also presented to Mr and Mrs Leightoo, consisting of a beautiful large silver tea kettle, a very neat and chastely worked silver tea csddy, with eeis of forks to match, and cabinet photographs of the Sunday school teachers and elder scholars. The following inscription was engiaved on the tea caddy: — " A small offering to Mrs Leighton from the teachers and scholars of Bispham Sunday school, December 10th, 1873." In the courso of tbe evening, the i Rev. Mr Richardson, tho Rural Dean, said that "while ho felt pleased at being present on that occasion, he must say that his pleasure was mixed with a great deal of pain, for their gathering that evening had a special significance. They had met to say good-bye to their rector, and their very dear old friend. He was not going to flatter Mr Leigh- , too, but he must say that he had never met him on any single occasion when he had not been able to derive some benefit to his own soul, and to increase his experience in parochial matters very considerably. His clerical brethren whom he saw around him would, he. was sure, bear him out when he said they had all experienced the same benefits from being connected with him. And while he had conferred benefit on his clerical neighbors, be had not neglected the interests of his parish, for he had visited tho members of his flock singly and individually, from house to bouse, in such a mnnner as he (Mr Richardson) was afraid all his clerical brethren had not done. It would be well for them to take example from him who was now leaving them, and to follow in his footsteps as far as they possibly could." The r ßev J. Leightow, in addressing the meeting, said:-— "I am led to speak of some of the leading maxims which have guided my conduct ever since I was made vicar of Bispham, viz., forbearance, coupled with firmness. Whoever has differed from me, I have practiced forbearance,- as long as possible I have kept the peace; but wherever I have seen that my duties would suffer by further quiet I have always taken ray stand; I have then pursed my own couree; I hnve not hesitated to pursue conduct which I saw to be right and necesaary, though it might not pleaee this or that individual; and you may depend upon it that the clergyman who, in his duty is afraid of displeasing anybody, is very little worth. Let him know how to forbear, but let him know also how to be firm and act decidedly, even at the risk of the frown and displeasure of a parishioner. The kind feeling which you have manifested, the sorrow which 1 believe has pervaded almost every heart in the place the last few weeks, is the best testimony and approbation of roy conduct as your minister, I have mixed on terms of great friendship with our chapel neigh« bors,bu 1 1 have always done so as a clergyman of the parish, and Church of Eugland clergyman. I recognise the spirit of Christ in many of our chapel friends, and I pray God to give them and us grace to maintain the unity of spirit in the bond of peace, even if we have not unity of outward ordinances. I feel a special bond with those who have worked lovingly with me in the Christian fellowship; their attachment to me has been a greater comfort and encouragement than I can express. Their attachment to me has sometimes brought upon them a cross; and now I feel it is to them I owe an explanation of my motives in being willing to leave them. Be assured, my brothers and sisters in Christ, that it is not because of any lack of love to you, and attachment to you. I have you in my heart, and ever shall have a kindly recollection of the friendly smiles nnd wo»m affaction with which you have always greeted me. But in offering myself /or this post in New Zealand, nnd accepting it when appointed to it, I followed what was to me a call of duty. Ever since I devoted my life to missionary work I have felt I bad no right to be in England if the opportunity offered for being at work abroad. So long as fourteen years ago I thought some time or other I ought to go as a minister to our fellow countrymen in tbe colonies if I eould not return to India. When, therefore, this post was offered I would uot shut my ears and heart to the call. Pleasant as our lives have been together, they would have been pleasant no longer with duty neglected and conscience stifled. I would not sell cay soul

for ease or money, though it was offered, to me if I would remain at home. lam not going to improve ray income. I hope I shall not lose anything; but losb or gain, I feel my path is dear and my duty plain. In my sermons I have often taught you that God speaks to us in our conscience and in Hia providence, and I could never again exhort you to follow your convictions and aspirations if I had disregarded and neglected my own.'