The One Before

NZ Truth, Issue 1189, 13 September 1928, Page 6

The One Before

HE built a church. •.-. That may mean "much or nothing. But when it comes to replacing ; a shabby, nondescript wooden edifice by an imposing church of . brick and stone, destined. to hold a. bishop's chair and rank as a- cathedral^ vthen the achievement becomes an epic. < And who. has done this/ thing? '• Many Hamilton folk .will say that it was their late vicar, Yen. Ai-ch'deason ' E. M. Cowie. The , archdeacon, with becoming modesty, will say: that it was "his pedple." ■"::'■■ So there i ; you. are!. „ : v. St. Peter's ; ''on .the/ h,i11," however, stands , as ,an ■• enduring, monument to the "vicar, who aided and guided the efforts and. energy ,of his flock. ■■ ■ Sixteeir years ■ ago 1 — -before the town's big forward driv&— E.M.C.," an exponent o£ Vunassuming arid.: gentle "methods, with an English, university diploma or two" tucked away "' in* ."His " grip, ' and laboriw?? •under the /handicap that -he was .the 'sbn- of a prirhate, , arrived m Hamilton..' .' , '::■ ■''',■, : ■':.,[■ ■; } ' ' Gh, yes; It is a. handicap. Can't you hear the . dear, old gpssips vat tea-, swilling sessions ; saying: ".Of : course the new , vicar is awfully naice:; But o future primate? <Well. ..: . J !": Perhaps yttie name of Cowie- will be Temembered and. r^eyere.d long after the, "ehouting and the tumult" m the trouble^ K*J^tO aiocead baa Oied,