PRESENT A TION TO THE REV. V. LUSH AT TEH THAMES.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1467, 26 November 1881, Page 2

PRESENT A TION TO THE REV. Y. LUSH AT TEH THAMES.

The following report, for which we are indebted to the Tftames Advertiser of the 19th inst., has been unavoidably crowded out of our two last issues : — A considerable number of the congregation of St. George's Church, with their friends, gathered in that building last evening for the purpose of presenting to the rev. gentleman a farewell token of their esteem in the shape of a handsome tea and coffee service in silver. On the proposal of Mr Ariey, the Rev. Mr Tebbs, from Auckland, took the cb.au. He opened the proceedings by stating that he was placed in a most unusual position. He was a perfect stranger to all of them, and when he arrived had no knowledge of what was to take place. But their wardens thought it well he should preside. Of course he was at one with them in the object. It was alwaya pleasing to find efforts made for the good of others recognised and appreciated. He would not, however, detain them himself but call upon Mr Tizard to make the presentation. — Mr Tizard said the duty devolved on him, but wished it had been placed in abler hands. The severance of ties which had continued for many years, all of which had been marked by kindly feeling, was a matter of very deep regret. The congregation might get a younger man, perhaps a more eloquent man, but they lost Mr Lush's experience, and they lost his family. Mr Lush had been long at the Thames, he had seen its prosperity and adversity ; he had carried on the ministrations of the Church for years, and would have done so well for much longer, but at the recommendation of the Bishop he had accepted an easier sphere of labour. He (Mr Tizard) felt grieved that longer time had not been given for consideration. Mr Lush would have liked to have avoided this presentation, but that they could not allow. Not only the congregation, but many outside ielt that this could not be, and this feeling was expressed in a letter he would read fi-om a gentleman belonging to another communion, who enclosed a subscription, and testified to the deep regret felt at the removal of Mr Lush. Mr Tizard then read a list of subscribers, and said he had much pleasure in presenting the resuit to Mr Lu^h. — Captain Wildmansaid it was with unfeigned satisfaction that he took part in presenting this mark of respect to one whom he regarded as the most estimable man in this district. Mr Lush and his family wera among his own most intimate friends. In his early daya here he fell ill, and from then till now he had been deeply indebted to Mr Lush and his family. He felt, too, the strongest regard for Mr Lush as a minister of the Church of England. For 13 years here he had spent the best of his health and strength in their service. Many knew how he had in time of trouble been the best to advise, to counsel, and to comfort. In time of sor» row Mr Lush had been tbe best consoler, and to numbers his removal would cause the heartiest giief. He (Captain Wildman) knew that it was a heart- wrench to Mr Lush and family to part from that district. — The Rev. Y. Lush said he need not say how much he felt this i« t a r ation. He should have felt happy if they had let him go quietly, but ie probably would do him no pood to let him have his own way. Be thanked them from his heart for their goodwill, and he knew the members of his f.imily did ao as well. They should ne/er look at thirt present without being reminded of Thames friend*, — not that it was needed ; the many expressions of sympathy and kindness they had received, especially during the last fortnight, and which was bi ought to a climax that evening, was ample reward for anything they might have done. There had been many, many failings and shortcomings, how many God alone knew, and to Him he leoked for pardon and forgiveness. Their kind present he hoped would bean incentive to him to be more diligent, more attentive, more earnest. After alluding to the work of his daughters, he said this parting was not to him like that of leaving his charge in England, which was a farewell, indeed. He could only hope to meet those friends in heaven ; but he might come here again and brush up his friends, — not that they would be out of his mind or his prayers. Since he had been here there had been 2,300 baptisms, 1,075 burials, and under 1000 marriages. Of course a man who had reached 65 must be getting old and weak. He had looked forward to retiring from the Thames into prirate life, but that was a castle in the air. was the use in having a bishop if his recommendations were not attended to«? Capt. Wildman would have been rather astonished if he gave an order and one of his lieutenants questioned it ; and as the bishop thought he should go to Hamilton | he submitted. He supposed none of these partings took place without pain, and that might serve to remind us that here we had no continuing city. He said be must speak just one word, not to annoy anyone, but to warn them. He had received very many anonymous letters : he had never attended to them but had torn them up. He trusted Mr Calder might be spared that infliction. As to hia successor, the little he knew of Mr Calder was greatly in his favor. He had perhaps done more hard work than^any other clergyman, considering the short time he had been in the colony. He trusted they would strengthen hia hands by their prayers and co-operation with him. He received their present as it was intended, in kindness, and in the name of his wife and daughters thanked them heartily. — A vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to the Rev. Mr Tebbs for presiding, and that gentleman in response took the opportunity of bespeaking the sympathies of the people for Mr Calder, describing him as hard-working, zealous, earnest, and sincere. The inscription on the service reads as follows :— " Token of affectionate remembrance presented to the Rev. Y. Lush, M.A., on his resigning the cure of S. George's, Thames.— Advent, 1881."

One lowa creamery proprietor hat , bought 50,00$ bushels of , cqro j& pitj/ cents per bushel^ to be fed. to bi»- dairj