ADDRESS TO THE REV. R. COLE, M.A

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 875, 21 December 1853, Page 3

ADDRESS TO THE REV. R. COLE, M.A

A meeting of members of the Church of Eng-j land,was held onSaturday.HisHonorMr. Justice Stephen presiding, for the purpose of agreeing to an Address to the Rev. R. Cole, expressive of regard and attachment, and of regret at his approaching departure, and of entering into a subscription to present him with some substantial token of the high estimation in which he is held by the Community. During the twelve years in which Mr. Cole has officiated in this settlement, his earnest and faithful discharge of the duties of his ministry have secured for him the regard and attachment, not only of those of his own communion.but also of the inhabitants of this settlement in general, who have been anxious on the present occasion to testify their appreciation of his worth. For a long period the only minister of the Church of England in Wellington, his energies were taxed to the utmost in the ministrations of his office in Wellington, and in the surrounding districts ; by his exertions the out line has been traced and the foundation laid of an efficient system, and the attempt made to provide for the spiritual wants of the district. Two churches have been built in Wellington, a church at the Hutt, and places of worship at Porirua and Karori. Many eventful and painful circumstances have occurred in this period to call into operation his warmest and most active sympathies, , while his care in relieving the sick and distressed have shewn his life to be

A lf»ing sermon qf the truths be taught. Yesterday afternoon the Address was presented to Mr. Cole, in the Thorndon School Room, by Mr. Justice Stephen, in the name and in the presence of a considerable number of the subscribers. His Honor explained that the

übscriptions to the address and the offerin which accompanied it were obtained for the most part in one day, a id expressed the satisfaction he had felt, as one of those who had procured signatures to the address, in witnessing the pleasure e^ inced by all classes in cor* dially uniting in their testimony of Mr. Cole's zeal in the discharge of his duties, and of his many virtues-. His Honor then read the following Address, which was most numerously signed, not only by members of the Church of England, but by other persons of different religious denominations, who had also contributed to the testimonial which amounted to the sum of two hundred guineas. Wellington, December it, 1853. To the Rev. Robert Cole, M.A., Minister of Wellington. Dear Sir,— We the undersigned Members of the Church of EngUnd, and others resident in Wellington, beg to offer you the warmest assurances of oar regard and attachment, and lo express our sincere regret at your temporary de* parture from this settlement. During the twelve years in which yon have laboured in the discharge of your Ministry in this settlement, your untiring zeal, your laborious diligence in the performance of the duties of your sacred office, your attention to the wants of your sick and distressed parishioners, scattered through an extensive and thinly peopled district, have justly obtained for you the respect and esteem of all classes in Wellington. We beg your acceptance of the accompanying offering in testimony of the high regard which we entertain for your character, and with our best wishes for the- health of Mrs. Cole, yourself, and son, We remain, dear Sir, Your attached friends. To this address Mr. Cole, who was considerably affected, returned the following reply : — Mr. Justice Stephen, Mt kind Friends and Brsth&ev, — I will not attempt to describe what I felt on being apprised, through an advertisement, of the thoughts you entertained with regard to me on hearing of my proposal to visit England ; nor what I felt on receiving yesterdsy a copy of the address, to which I have committed to writing a few words of reply ; nor still more what I now feel 3t receiving it. And do not think, Mr. Justice Stephen, that I am wanting in appreciation, becanse I barely take notice of the kind complimentary terms in which you prefaced the presentation of the address, which bears the subscription of go many respected names. If, »o my first appointment to this care in 1842, 1 had set before me an earthly satisfaction or reward, (• he desired as the end of my private intercourse or official ministration* among you, it would have <bten that., after a lapse of years I should receive {as I now am so feappy as to receive) " assurances of your regard and attachment," that a proposed absence for a while should elicit nothing ««rse tiun a manifestation that you tad not bad reason to regret, that to me «hi.uid fave comraitved Uie tninnuy in this settlement. To tbeCharch members with whom I have so long walked in the House of God as friends, I would offer my best thanks for the<r kind commendation on my departure. And I would beg tbos^ who, not members with me in the communion of the Church of England, have nevertheless in this instance joined with my ow« particular flock, to be assured that 1 highly value and very greatly regard the expression of their " respect and esteem" As to the remaining poinr, the gift with which you accompany your parting address to mt, let me not utitbankfullr, or with a false pride or shame hesitate to say that it is a gift very acceptable, aud one which ft ill prove of much service to me. Certainly I was provided, though barely it may be, with means for the long and expensive voyage before mi», or n»y long cherished desire of visiting England would not have assumed the form of intention, or the more practical one of an arrangement concluJed. But since, in anticipation of many requirements, and in token of your good affection for me, you bare generously desired to take upon yourselves the charges of the voyage, I am set entirely above all anxiety, and have much at my command for gratifications from which I might have been debarred. I had wished and intended to speak on many topics and at length, but I confess my heart altogether fails me. I would now only then offer you again, good frienda and brethren, my heartfelt and best acknowledgments for the unlooked for, umhought of gratification which ia afforded by this testimony of your regard— a gratification not a little enhanced by the presence of so many of jou here to-day, and again I repeat my assurance of the grateful sense with which I accept your very seasonable and bountiful offering. * I trust that we shall meet again, the most of us; and if to some meantime (he bidding comes to depart hence, may the departure, whether on your side or mine, be to us rest indeed, a rest in peace; — but ra«y we meet again. Remember me, I beseech yon, in your prayers at your homes, and in your prayers at Church, and accept a place in mine. " I wish," (in the words of the Apostle) " that you may prosper snd be in health." " I pray God your whole spirit, and sout, and body, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Brethren, " the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. Amen." We have the satisfaction of observing in conclusion, that this is the second testimonial received by Mr. Cole from his friends in Wellington, the former memorial, consisting of a handsome service of plate, having been presented several years ago. ♦