“FRIEND AND ADVISER"

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 545, 24 December 1928, Page 16

“FRIEND AND ADVISER"

ARCHDEACON MACMURRAY HONOURED ARCHBISHOP’S TRIBUTE ‘‘Archdeacon Mac Murray is a big man in every sense of the word. He has been my best friend and truest adviser ever since I have been in Auckland. He is admired for his wonderful human qualities and friendship, and he is loved for himself.” rPHIS was the tribute paid to Arch- ' a deacon George Mac Murray by Arshbishop Averill, who addressed a social gathering in St. Mary’s parish hall. Parnell, on Saturday evening, in honour of the fiftieth anniversary of the archdeacon’s ordination to the priesthood. The large and representative attendance both of the clergy and laity was an eloquent appreciation of the esteem in which Archdeacon Mac Murray is held.. On behalf of a host of friends, the archdeacon was presented by the Primate with two beautiful etchings, •with inscribed silver plates of exterior and interior views of St. Mary’s A cheque for 200 guineas accompanied the presentation. ‘lt falls to few men to complete 50 years of ministry, and to fewer still to attain that jubilee as our guest has done still retaining all his great faculties,” said the archbishop. “We are gathered together to tender our congratulations to our dear friend. He has rendered noble service to the 1 ‘hurch in Ireland, in Australia, and in jfew Zealand.” Besides his long ministry as a parish priest, the archdeacon had performed wonderful work as chairman of the tit. Mary’s Homes Board for many rears, and had fathered to a large extent the children’s home at Richmond Road. Ponsonby. A CHRIST’S HOSPITAL It was almost a matter of public ’knowledge that Auckland largely owed the Dilworth Trust to Archdeacon MacMurray, and the trust was going to be one of the largest and most useful in the Dominions. He had visions ot establishing a Christ’s Hospital for New Zealand out of the funds of tho Trust, and future generations would look back to him with gratitude for his work in connection with it. In General Synod and in the Diocesan Synod the archdeacon exercised a very considerable influence, and his words were listened to with the greatest respect., and the diocese owed him more than it would probably ever know. He had constantly been a member of the Nominations Board on behalf of the clergy, and there again his work had been most conscientious and impartial. He had been chosen to act as commissary for the bishops in their absence, and nobody could have carried out those duties with greater satisfaction to the bishops concerned. They were there to offer him and his splendid wife their very hearty congratulations, and their sincere good wishes «>n their approaching trip to the Old Land. No man in the community had entered more into its joys and sorrows, said Mr. H. B. Morton, on behalf of the laity. He had not merely the conventional and clerical knowledge of men, but also had an accurate and intimate knowledge of men as they actually were. Representing the clergy. Canon J. Haselden also testified to the splendid and lovablo qualities of the guest of the evening. Feeling deeply the honour done him, ’Archdeacon Mac Murray said he looked upon a 50 years’ ministry as having no merit in itself, though it gave a man large experience and wide opportunities. with their attendant responsibilities. The Lord of the vineyard valued not the number of hours or years that a man worked, but the fidelity with which he used the opportunities given to him. The thought came homo to him how much more use he might have made of his opportunities. Nevertheless, he most highly appreciated their generous expressions of goodwill. He had humbly tried to serve the Master through these 50 years, and He alone know how far he had succeeded. Since he came to the diocese 36 years ago, his brethren of the clergy had been exceedingly good to him, and he had never been rejected at any election during those years. He referred also to his great indebtedness to Archbishop and Mrs. Averill, and to other valued friends. Although the work of the ministry involved difficulties and hardships that few layment were at all aware of, it held prizes and rewards better than any wealth. At the end of his 50 years he could look back and bear testimony that goodness and mercy had followed him all the days of his life.