THE LATE REV. A. H. COLVILE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1918, Page 6

THE LATE REV. A. H. COLVILE.

&N APPRECIATION, (Contributed by "D"). ' There were many mourners all over Tiiranaki when tho news of the death ol the Rev. A. 11. Colvile Was telegraphed lrom Auckland on the morning of Ash Wednesday The personality of the man was so strong that he attracted uiiui.v, and those who came close to him always grew to love him. He *'as sueh a big man, his nature being built on such large lines. He was so absolutely free from all smallness and meanness, and, as is generally the case with those ot good old family, was inea.nahlc of snobbishness nor would he toady to anyone. One who lived for many months in liis house has said that in all that time he was never heard to speak ill of anyoneGenerous, too, to a fault he was; always eager to give even more than he could afford. Money was of no value in his eyes, and several times he refused to have his stipend raised, although it was quite inadequate for a man of his great attainments. Who aiwongst us w.l! ever forget the sermons of our "silver-tongued" vicar, delivered, as they wore, with fiery oratory and wincing grace, yet not mere rjietorie, but full of originality, strong faith and earnest il.cught. Few of thoae who heard iiim will ever forget the tall figure in the white robes of office a/d scarlet Oxford hood; the strong face with its broad brows and resolute chin. He was a true sport, and there was a boyish freshness aliout him which often made one smile. Being f,o very human, of course, he had faulti, su< h as a brusqueness anl o!T----lnmd.jdness which sometimes o'i'enJed, but these blemishes were superficial, and though he was impatient and highly strung, he was the last man to be intentionally unkind. Those who loved him most of all were the old, the sick and the poor, and these ai;.' poor \ illused animals will fee.l his loss mostThe last sermon he ever preached was on the duty of respect and reverence being shown to old age. That .which compelled the (in some easas grudging) admiration of evcryqno, was his absolute fearlessness. lie was, in truth, afraid of nothing and of 110 one, and was a horn fighter It was a bitter disappointment in 1914 that he was not allowed to take part in the Great War. and he grieved much over the death in action of the Rev. E. C. Cook, his beloved young curate, news of which reached him less than a month ago. The hearts of all will be full of sympathy, for Mrs Colvlile, whose" life now "will creep on broken wings"; also to the mother in England who "lent" her gifted son to us for a few years and longed and longed for his return Home. lie has passed into the Great, Unknown, but there are many whose faith he has strengthened and whom he has helped to see with clearer eyes the hidden mysteries of Go;l. These will never forget him and t.lic 5A years of his ministry at St. Mary's, New Plymouth.