ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 223, 14 January 1911, Page 7

ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

THE RETIRLMi VTOAIi: AN APPRECIATION. Tins month's issue of that interesting little publication, "The 'Paranalei Church Magazine," contains excellent photographs of the Rev. F. <!. Evans, L.Tli., the re- I tiring vicar of St. Mary's, ami of Riv. Canon C. 11- Ivens, m!.-\., of Sowerby Bridge, England, vicar-elect. We have pleasure in re-printing the first article, which is devoted to an appreciation of the late vicar and his work:— On the last day of the old year the Rev. Frank George Evans, L.Th., retired from the vicarial charge of St. Mary's Church, after fourteen years of faithful service. The event was not allowed to pass by the parishioners without being specially marked, a presentation of a purse of sovereigns, voluntarily subscribed, being made to Mr. Evans, kindly reference to whose .unselfish and splendid work was made by several speakers. In another part of the magazine will be found a full report of the proceedings, together with short reports of the remarks from the pulpit concerning Mr. Evans' retirement by the Revs. Colvile and Wilkinson. The references by all are, we feel sure, fully deserved and justified. Mr. Evans j has done his duty by his Master and his i people. Like so many other conscientious men, he no doubt feels, as he expressed himself to the presentation gathering, that he had not done as much as he ought to have done, that he had not done justice to the work of the parish, that there was "so little done; so much left to do." After all, it is but a natural feeling bo be dissatisfied with the results of one's labor. Were any of the Disciples, any of the Saints, even, satisfied with the results of their work? No; all felt at the conclusion of their labors and ministrations that they should have done more or done better. The results attending Mr. Evajjs' ministration in New Plymouth,however, speak for themselves. They are, first of all, reflected in the present highly satisfactory position of the parish The Rev. Colvile, in the course of his remarks, said: ''Your church here I consider one of the most attractive and most flourishing in New Zealand, and I have seen and preached in a good number of churches in this country." And this, wo know, is not a flattering testimony to the success achieved by the retiring vicar, for Mr. Colvile has wrought here himself, and therefore has had the opportunity of gaining first-hand evidence of the condition of the parish and the good following the labors of Mr. Evans. Again, we have the statement of Canon Tupper-Carey that "the success of the recent mission was due to the earnest and faithful ministrations of the vicar." More conclusive evidence of the success of Mr. Evans' work we could not have. It only shows how sound was the judgment of the late Archdeacon Govett, who, at the induction service, said: "After two years' work together there is no man in New Zealand I would rather see taking my place." Mr. Evans understood and loved his people. They knew that he could enter into their trials, troubles and difficulties, and that they could always depend upon his sympathy, help and guidance. They were never disappointed, even when the rev. gentleman was full of troubles of his own. These troubles, indeed, seemed only to increase the yield of the "milk of human kindness" that is the most striking characteristic of his nature, endearing himself still further to all with whom he came in contact. The success of a vicar's work in a parish cannot be guaged altogether by the prosperous condition of its affairs. It lies in a greater degree in the permanency of the impression made by his preaching, teaching, example, help and sympathy upon the spiritual lives of the parishioners. Judged by this standard, Mr. Evans' vicariate has been a pronounced success. His fourteen years' service must have an enduring effect both on parish and parishioners, service all recognise and appreciate, rendered courageously and ever willingly at an important period in the history of the parish, and which must be of material assistance to his successors in office. I He takes leave of us—happily only in his official capacity, for he will be amongst us, we hope, for many a day to come —in the full and certain knowledge that he has the gratitude, esteem and love "of all in the parish, whose earnest prayer and hope is that his health will soon be completely restored and that he will be given many years of happiness. And let us not forget Mrs. Evans, who has been a source of power and strength not only to her. husband but to the whole Anglican community. We append a short biography of our worthy friend: Receiving his training at St. John's College, Auckland, he was admitted to deacon's orders in 1881, being at once appointed curate to Canon Bales at Holy Trinity, Devonport. He was J ordained priest in 1883 and given sole charge of Northcote-cum-Takapuna district. In the following year he was appointed vicar of St. George's, Thames, a large district in which he labored for over five years with conspicuous success, a debt of £BOO being paid off and enlargements and improvements to church and school buildings being carried out. A severe illness here caused him to give up his work and in 188!) he became vicar of Te Arohn. In 1893, at the special request of the Bishop and Standing Com-1 mittee, he took the over-sight of PaeroaWaihi, ami continued there until 1890, when he became coadjutor to Archdeacon Govett in Taranaki during the latter's absence in England. In IS9B, on the retirement of the Ven. Archdeacon, Mr. Evans was appointed vicar of St. Mary's, a position lie has held for the past fourteen years.