IN MEMORIAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1918, Page 7

IN MEMORIAM.

THE LATE REV. A. H. COLVILE. SERVICE AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH. An in-memoriam service for the late Rev. A. H. Colvile was held in St. Mary's Church on Sunday evening. The preacher was the Ven. Archdeacon Evans, and special hymns were sung and prayers offered. In the course of his sermon Archdeacon Evans said: "I am glad of this opportunity your vicar has given me of joining with you to-night in happy memory of your late vicar, Algernon Holland Colvile. I know of no one who has a greater right to speak of him than I have, for I met him first as a boy of seven. I was his first vicar in New Zealand; for he eame direct to me when he arrived in New Zealand; he lived at my house for several months, and we have been friends ever since. I knew his father and mother in the Old Country, and have taken part with the former in many mission services. He, too, was a brilliant preacher. With you I mourn Mr. Colvile's comparatively early death.

"Algernon H. Colvile was a man of remarkable gifts, and we are not likely to see his equal again. He was a powerful orator, and his sermons were delightful to listen to. He had a wide range of reading and an extraordinary knowledge of current literature, and lie placed his reading at the disposal of his hearers in his sermonß. He preached a truly manly Christianity, without smallness or narrowness. He revealed a real Christ, a true salvation. His words had no uncertain sound. He was a man of very charming presence, especially to his inner circle of friends. He possessed a wonderful memory, and his repertoire of poems and other literary pieces was remarkable. He had splendid histrionic power, and his recitations were delivered in a masterly manner. Most great preachers are poor visitors, but Mr. Colvile was an exception, for he was a most acceptable visitor, welcomed alike by rich and poor. He was especially excellent in his ministrations to the sick, and his regular visits to the afflicted gave extreme pleasure and comfort to many sorrowing hearts. He was most particular and conscientious in his care of the suffering. He was a sincere and lbyal friend,, arid he will be sorely missed by many to whom he gave assistance and advice. He had a great fondness for children, and I do not think he ever appeared so absolutely happy as when playing with them. He was a great lover of animals, and he and Mrs. Colvile founded the society here for their protection from cruelty, and always took the liveliest interest in its efforts. He was a keen sport, and enjoyed everything in the nature of games, and did a good deal towards keeping cricket going in New Plymouth. I am not claiming perfection for our friend, for he was human, as we all are, and was not without those imperfections common to most people. He was a brilliant ornament to the Church of England " New Zealand, and his place will he dif if not impossible, to fill. It is a saii ng to remember that that fine figure « man, with his unusual talents, who so often stood in this pulpit appealing to this congregation to live up to its high responsibilities, has been removed from this world when such men are so greatly needed. Yet we have the great comfort contained in that noble passage: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors and their works do follow them.' Yes, the blessed dead find new work for God in that world into which bo many are hurrying, and where the strong and manly are needed so much, and their work here, done in weakness and necessary imperfection, will follow them and add to their happiness hereafter.

"I know how deeply you will sympathise with Mrs. Colvile in her irreparable loss, and with the old father and mother who mourn their brilliant son. But it is good to remember Mr. Colvile's fine personality; his many gifts; his will to help and bless his people; his wonderful patience through all the suffering of his long illness; his heroic sacrifice of himself on that last Sunday in his parish church. It is good to thank God for all that was grand and God-like in his character, and I may close by using the words of that greatest Englishman, whose works Mr. Colvile loved so well:

" 'He was a man; take him for all in all. I shall not look upon his like again.'"

A funeral march was played at the beginning of the service, and at the close of the service the Dead March in "Saul" was played by the organist, Mr. R. N. Renaud,