REEFTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 176, 11 August 1876, Page 13

REEFTON.

(To the Editor'of the New Zealand Tablet.)

Sib, — Aware of your readiness to publish anything touching the cause of Catholicity throughout this colony, I propose to forward you a brief account of a scene which took place here within the past week, and which, for piety, fervor, and religious zeal, was quite in keeping with that devotion and respect which has ever marked the conduct of the children of the Church towards their faithful and venerated pastors. The Eev. M. L. Cummins, 0.M., who has so ably officiated here as pastor during the past k two years or more, and who during that time had earned the esteem and respect of all who knew him, having contemplated leaving the parish, preached, for the last time in Beef ton, a powerful and most eloquent sermon on "Hell and Eternity," on Sunday last to a large congregation, the church being filled to its utmost capacity by the members of his own flock and many representatives of the other denominations. I need scarcely enter into the details of the sermon and its effect. I can better describe it by saying that jjliere was not a dry eye visible in the entire audience, tears flowing Gopiously from many, the rev. gentleman himself being greatly moved. On the evening of the same day, after vespers, the church being again crowded, his parishioners, wishing to manifest their love and devotion to their much esteemed pastor, aud to testify to their appreciation of the good work done the Church during his ministration, presented him with addresses, beautifully engrossed and illuminated (one from the congregation, read by Mr. P. Brennan, chairman Church Uommittee,J;he other from the Hibernian Society, read by their President, Mr. J. Kelly), and a handsome testimonial in the shape of a pur6e of sovereigns, to which the rev. Father eloquently and feelingly replied, On the Tuesday following, the Eev. Fath( r Cummins distributed the prizes to the children attending the " Sacred Heart School," and expressed himself highly pleased with the proficiency attained under the present master, Mr. Delaney, and on the subsequent Thursday the rev. gentleman took his departure, accompanied by about one hundred people, men. women, and children, as far as the " Saddle." Here a most affecting scene took place, by the ladies of the choir chanting that beautiful hymn, the " Hail Queen," suiting the words to the occasiou, after which, he imparted his benediction to the assembled crowd, and thence proceeded to Squaretown, accompanied by his successor, the Eev. Father Carew, whence he left next day for Ahaura and Greymouth en route for Wellington. — I am, &c, Inangahua, 29th July, 1876. Ctjbbente Caxamo.