ST. JOHN'S, WINCHESTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2362, 28 May 1892, Page 3

ST. JOHN'S, WINCHESTER.

At the Parish Schoolroom, Winchester, •a large number of parishioners and residents—probably two hundred—attended on Wednesday evening to spend an hour or two in social intercourse and bid farewell to the Rev. Mr and Mrs Hamilton. Mr Robert Smith presided, and after making a few introductoiy remarks invited Miss Gimson to play a selection upon the piano. This was a pleasing item, and was followed by a song by Mrs H. E. Smith, " When the Swallows Homeward Fly," Mrs Deßenzy playing the accompaniment. Mrs F. Barker, by Mr Inwood, sang a very pretty song entitled " Mona," and subsequently "My Dearest Star." The Rev. Mr Hamilton did due justice to " Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep " and "Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still," and Messrs Gaze and Pinckney also contributed songs. Two songs by Miss McQueen proved most enjoyable, and a repetition of them would have been acceptable. Miss Gimson also sang. At a favorable opportunity the chairman took occasion to convey to Mr and Mrs Hamilton the heartfelt regret of Winchester residents at their approaching departure. They felt that they were losing two very earnest workers, for Mrs Hamilton appeared to them in the light of another minister, and their place would not easily be filled. During some nine years he had worked faithfully for the good of the people, and never for his own temporary welfare. His care for the poorer members of the flock was most noticeable, and had it not been for this his position that day from a worldly point of view might have been different. His feelings did not admit of his giving full expression to all that his Winchester friends felt for him. They were losing him and that was sufficient to make them feel depressed, but he (Mr Hamilton) would always have with him their best wishes for success in his new district. They of Winchester and Temuka had to thank Mr Hamilton for much. He came to a parish that was heavily in debt, and without the means of working it efficiently, and he left it with an enlarged Church, two Sunday Schools, and comparatively little to be done. His successor consequently would have little to do, at all events, for some time. It fell " upon him that evening to mark their appreciation of Mr and Mrs Hamilton in a substantial way, and he therefore begged his acceptance of a purse of sovereigns subscribed by Winchester friends as a mark of their esteem, assuring him that he took with him to his new district their warmest sympathy. The Rev. Mr Hamilton, who was very warmly recsived, replied briefly to the chairman's remarks. He thanked them heartily for their gift, for he felt it as an acknowledgment of their continued love for, and sympathy with, Mrs Hamilton and himself. During his stay with them it had been a great source of pleasure and comfort that his services had always met so hearty a response at Winchester, and lie could assure them that only for force of circumstances he should never have left them. He had been fortunate also in his associations with other denominations, and he hoped there would always be the same spirit of unity noticeable 'in that parish. Of the parish organisations, he might say how deeply sensible he was of j assistance furnished him by the several ! workers, and also of the liberality displayed by the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton, Mr H. J. Gladstone, and others whom they all knew. Their church now was almost perfect, and he felt distressed at the thought that he should no longer minister to them in it. He never entered the vestry without being reminded of Mr Gladstone's love for the Winchester Church, and he (the speaker) wished, before finally leaving, to acknowledge the indebtedness of the Churcli as a whole towards him. Looking back over his own career he could not accuse himself of neglect, but certainly his work there had always been a pleasure. He shculd endeavor to visit them occasionally, and he hoped that they would accord an earnest welcome to his successor. Mr W. Deßenzy here called for three cheers for Mr and Mrs Hamilton, and they were given with musical honors. Mr D. L. Inwood joined in the chairman's expressions of regret. He felt the parish had not been well treated, for without any complaint from them or any consultation on the subject a mini iter, widely esteemed and doing excellent work, was taken from' them. As they knew, a petition had been drafted to send to the bishop upon the subject, but before it was forwarded Mr Hamilton had re- •' signed. The petition fully set forth the feelings of the Winchester parishioners, and this (which he read) he hoped Mr ' Hamilton would accept as some slight expression of their esteem. Mr Hamilton thanked Mr Inwood for •his remarks. The petition would be kept by him among some other documents which he treasured, and he should never look upon it without recalling one of the brightest periods of his life. A vote of thanks having been passed to the singers, refreshments, provided by the ladies of the congregation, were handed round, and a pleasant hour spent in conversation, &c. The younger people present availed themselves of the opportunity to enjoy a dance, and the gathering broke up shortly after eleven.