FAREWELL SERMON

Patea Mail, 28 August 1882, Page 3

FAREWELL SERMON

The Rev, J. Lloyd Keating preached his farewell sermon in St. George’s Chnrch last evening. He has been acting as temporary Curate during three months, and his short term has been marked by unusual activity and zeal in promoting the interests of the Anglican Church in Patea district. The Vestry had requested him to postpone his departure, but he seems to have preferred carrying out his previous arrangement to remove to Dunedin, in the belief that a short stay of two or three months more would not be sufficient to work any effectual revival in the languid affairs of the Church community here. The weather has been exceptionally inclement this winter, and Mr Keating has not been able to get about the district so ranch as he could have done in moderate weather. The attendances at church have also been less crowded than they would have been if members could have come in from the district. The project for building a new chnrch may not be carried to completion so early as was expected, unless a permanent Curate be appointed without loss of time. The Rev. Mr Keating informed the congregation last evening that £340 have been raised for ecclesiastical purposes during his three mouths’ administration. Part of this had been expended on a large new bell, part in payment of the late Curate’s arrear of stipend ; there is also a sum in the bank ; and there is a balance of about £l4O promised towards the erection of a new chnrch, bnt not collected. This amount remained uncollected for some reason which he could not explain. He had offered to give his time for this work, bnt the Vestry appeared not very anxious for this work to be continued. He might have misread their meaning, but so he understood it. He regretted being unable to deliver the promised lecture on infidelity before leaving Patea. His health had not been so good as usual during the last few weeks, but if he could pay a short visit to Patea at a future time, he would deliver the lecture. In the course of his farewell sermon, which was on the duties of a minister, he referred in a tone of regret to some of his experiences here, and to the want of a more hearty interest and a more devout zeal among members of the Chnrch of England in this district. He instanced the fact that there is not a single male teacher in the Sunday School at Patea.

Ho descanted on the duties of a clergyman ; suggested how they should treat him, hinting at some things which they should not do to impede his work, and arguing that a clergyman should be esteemed for his work rather than for himself. He referred to the state of ignorance which characterises the bulk of members of the Chnrch of England. He asked what has been the result of his three months’ preaching and working here : what is the fruit ? Popularity and crowded churches are no fruits at all ; for a popular preacher may draw crowds out of mere curiosity, or the result of his attractive eloquence may be mere excitement. Too many Christians go to church simply to be amused. Ho said that in Patea there is a noble opportunity to improve on the present condition of church affairs. In saying farewell, he expressed gratitude to the people of Patea for the universal courtesy, kindness, and consideration he had experienced here.