MEMORIAL TO ARCHDEACON GOVETT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 221, 14 October 1903, Page 2

MEMORIAL TO ARCHDEACON GOVETT.

A meeting, convened by Archdeacon Cole, is to be i eld at S*. Mary's Hull ' this evening to consider the question of ; a suitable memoriiil to the late Venerable Avch.de.icon G.wetfc. A matter of such importance is sure to dmw together a large cmcourse, bui there must be a multitude outside the towc area who, though not present, will be only too glad to pin in supporting any fitting scheme that may be decided od. This, however, is where there may be some difference of opinion, yet it hardly seems possible that, bearing in mind the nature of the late Archdeacon's ministrations, there should be anything but a consensus of opinion as to the direction in which the memory of euch a n;.' o | a Eind useful life shou'd ba hovurtd and porpetiuted, Hfe his talents and his substance for ; m unusually prolonged period to the SBrvice of his Master, and the comfortiog of his br.Hheru and neighbours, [lis one aim iu life was to be of service to the people, for whose spiritual welfare he was, responsible, and how faithfully he peilormed that trust is known to most of us. It set ms, therefore, as if there could be but one way of keep ing alive, for a'l time, the memory of his grand work, and Archdeacon Cols has plainly indicated* Inw this can be done. No memorial could so well ] harmonise with the life of the late Archdeacon as that of carrying on his work in the bick blocks, where oUr p'oneer settlers are, aS it wew; isolated from spiritual cjmfort, and lead a Ife of dreary unrelieved monotony Those whose lives are sp nt in towrs, where rsguhr church services make the day of rest a day of brightness to cheer them on thsir way through life, where the sick and troubled are visited by the clergy, aod where all that goes to make the material and spiritual life bright and hopeful, can fcircely realise the awful conditions under which the back block settlers exist. We stand on th.9 sea shore and see ships tossed about in the tempest, but though we know there is danger, we have that fai'h in the captain that the scane u txhihrating rather than" depressing. One can stand on an emirieaoa and view the progres-s of a battla with complacency, But who can, without being moved to pity, \ stand on the vantage ground of truth aod look away into the distance where, afar off in the vales below, are cur neighbours cut off from our advantiges, deprived of our highest privileges, and bereft of spiritualguidancej ; and consolation ? Oould any memorial to suoh a servant of God as was Arch--1 deacon Govett b) more in accord with his wishes than to sand a missionary to brighten the lives of these neighbours, ' and thus carry out the teaching of the decalogue. The suggestion is one tha - - is well worthy of Archdeacon Cole, and it should receive hearty support. It may not be an easy matter to settle details, but the obstacles are not in- ' superable. Given a will For the work, I a way will follow. There is that in the scheme which appeals with irresistible force" to ail that is besi in human nature,, an', if carried out, the late Atchdoacun Govact's good workd will, • like the ripples on ths lake, fliw, on in an tver widaring circle, and his memory be bkssed by numbers cf our fellow beings,