Background note

The Second World War had taken a serious turn for the worse. In April 1940 Germany invaded Denmark and Norway. Denmark surrendered immediately, while Norway held out till June 9. In May, Germany invaded the low countries, with Luxembourg occupied on May 10, Netherlands surrendering on May 14, and Belgium on May 28. On June 22 France signed an armistice with Germany in which Germany occupied the northern part of France and all the coastline and a collaborative regime was put in place at Vichy.

Because of the grave situation King George VI called for an unprecedented national week of prayer

Between 26 May and 2 June the evacuation of 338,226 soldiers (198,229 British and 139,997 French) from Dunkirk took place, involving some 850 boats ("the miracle of the little ships")

JULY 1940

THE VICAR’S LETTER

My Dear Parishioners,

The faith which inspires our Empire at this grave hour is a very precious thing. Setbacks have come to us, but Christian men and women are facing the future with confidence and with hope.

We realise what is at stake, but we know from happy experience that we are in God’s care. The consciousness that our Empire stands almost alone has been accepted as a challenge to play a worthy part. All who care for spiritual realities, all who cherish the glory of a free Christian civilisation, have braced themselves for the struggle and ask only to do their bit.

Many have been brought near to God. There has been a sincere recognition of the apathy which has had a disastrous results on our world’s life, and a determination in men and women of grit and character to make themselves worthy of our cause.

Today the call is to work and to pray. We must do everything we can, but we must dedicate spiritual forces by their faithfulness are helping those on whom the main burden falls.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH.

GUILD SOCIAL

The first social for this year, held on Thursday, 6th June, was a pronounced success. The attendance was very large, filling the Common Room, a good programme was enjoyed and an outstanding talk was given by Mrs R. Miller. The next social should be no less enjoyable. It will be held in the Common Room on Thursday, 11th July, at 2.45 p.m. A musical programme will be presented and the speaker for the day will be Mrs Max Cleghorn, who will give an address on France. Afternoon tea will be served. The charge for admission will be one shilling and the proceeds will be used to provide materials for the Guild’s work. All lady parishioners and their friends are invited to be present.

By the way, at this social afternoon there will be a stall laden with aprons, etc., which the Guild has made. These materials will be on sale.

SPECIAL SERVICES

It is becoming quite a habit at St Matthew’s to have to bring in extra seats for the congregations which fill our Church. It would be splendid if we could leave them there always. On the morning of the National Day of Prayer every available space was utilised and even so some stood in the porch. In the evening the Church was again full.  Other memorable services with crowded congregations last month were the parade services of the Guides and Scouts on 9th June, the Masonic service on 16th June, and the Order of St John service on 23rd June. All these were glorious services, permeated by a fine spirit of real devotion.

CHRISTIAN WITNESS

Today every Christian must be a worker. By constructive effort we can help our world and lay a sure foundation on which mankind can rebuild, So the call is to whole-hearted following Christ’s way of life. On Sundays we get inspiration for life’s roads. In public worship we reveal where we stand, render to God the honour due to Him, help our fellows, and go back to our daily work refreshed in mind and spirit. By faithfulness in private prayers we retain our contact with the Divine and by regular reading of the Bible get light and guidance. May each one of us have courage and honesty enough to be found at Church every Sunday, wisdom enough to maintain our contact through prayer and meditation, foresight enough to seek God’s guidance through daily reading of the Scriptures.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Anonymous, 17/6; Mr Hale, 10/-; Mr Knapp, 5/-; Mesdames Smith, Armstrong, 3/- each; Mrs Yalden, 3/6; Mr F. H. Dunderdale, Mesdames Joblin, Cummings, Creed, Miss Selby, 2/6 each; Mrs Hargood, 1/-.

PARISH NOTES

Missionary Fellowship, box and other donations for missions, received in June are acknowledged with thanks from Mesdames A. J. Welch, Judd, W. Hope, Creed, Misses Francis, Robins, Mr G. Hyde, Archdeacon Rich, Misses G. Gray, Rockel, Anon. per Church box, Mrs Andrew, Mrs Reeves, Misses Persen, Vallance, B. Vallance, Mesdames Cruickshank, Rishworth, Mawley, C. J. Bennett, Mr R Pinhey, Mesdames R. Beetham, Morrison, Perry, Lamb, Wickham, MacKay, Misses Morrison, K. Morrison, Maunsell, Booth, Whitehouse.

The Choirmaster will be glad to hear from ladies willing to help in the Choir. Here is an opportunity for service, and we hope that any who can help in this way will do so.

The junior Confirmation Class meets on Sundays in St. George’s Chapel, at 4 p.m. It is not too late to join the class and prepare for confirmation. A special class will be held later for adults, the date of which will be announced next month.

St. Matthew’s Ladies’ Guild has a greatly increased membership this year. Members meet at 2 p.m. on Thursdays, devote one hour to knitting for war work, and the second hour for the Sale of Work. Splendid work is being done.

Members of the Girls’ Club have started practices for their annual concert, to be held later in the year. This is always one of the happiest entertainments in the year and this one should maintain the Club’s fine reputation.

The Fireside Circle is making and presenting a new set of offertory bags for the early services at St Matthew’s. The first one is now completed and is in use. It is splendidly done and shows that the set will be worthy of our Church.

Our Diocesan Synod has been postponed until October, and even then will be confined to essential business only. The Bishop has called a 24 hours’ conference of the clergy in the first week of July to consider how the work of the church can be made most helpful in the present world situation.

Our Diocesan Synod has been postponed until October, and even then will be confined to essential business only. The Bishop has called a 24 hours’ conference of the clergy in the first week of July to consider how the work of the church can be made most helpful in the present world situation.

KURIPUNI NOTES

There was a splendid attendance at the Epiphany Guild’s first social afternoon. Appreciated items were given, a dainty afternoon tea was served, and a talk on world affairs was given by the Archdeacon.

The annual meeting of Kuripuni parishioners was held on Tuesday, 11th June. The reports presented showed that last year had been one of progress in all departments of the work of the Church of the Epiphany. A strong committee was elected and plans made for another year of service.

A crowded hall greeted the children of the Church of the Epiphany when they presented their annual concert on Saturday, 29th June. An excellent programme was presented and it was a credit to both children and their teachers.

C.E.M.S.

Comprehensive reports on the recent Dominion Conference of the Society, held at Wanganui, were presented in the last branch meeting by the Rev. T. V. Pearson and Mr N. Andrew. Our delegates were able to convey not only the message but also the spirit of what must have been an outstanding conference. There is no doubt that the C.E.M.S. has a great part to play in the life of our Church. It consists of a group of men, growing in numbers, who have declared themselves as trying to follow the Christian way, applying Christian principles in every department of life. Here is a society where men can get the inspiration of splendid fellowship and because of that do greater and better work. at the July meeting the subject for consideration will be “Fascism in its Relation to Christianity.”  Our Branch meets on the first Monday of every month at 7.45 p.m., in the Common Room of the Parish Hall. New members and visitors are always welcome.

NATIONAL CHARACTER

We are learning today just how much character counts, and perhaps some wonder what is the secret of the splendid manifestation of character revealed in the way Britain faces its trials. That secret is found in the fact that at heart the people of our race have a sincere belief in the truth that moral issues are really the things which matter most. We like to think that our word is as good as our bond, that spiritual things are the real things which give charm and meaning to life. Centuries of Christianity have brought us to that glorious truth. By our faithfulness in prayer and worship we shall preserve that splendid heritage, and had on to others traditions which make for the well-being of all humanity.

ETERNAL LIFE

The glorious hope of immortality is precious to every Christian. We know that our Lord is preparing a place for us where perfection of being will be our portion. But beyond that, something remains of every worthy life. A little bit of character, something of the spirit of every worthy man or woman passes into the spirit of his country, and then lives on to fortify the generations yet to be, and to illuminate the paths by which they will have to live. So shall our spiritual heritage be preserved, so may the world be a better place because for a little while we lived in it.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONCERT

This popular annual event will be held in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, 31st July, at 7.45 p.m. The programme to be presented by the children should be one of the best ever given. Parents and friends are asked to give the children the usual crowded hall for their annual concert. Teachers and children are working hard with their rehearsals and a bright evening’s entertainment is promised. Charges for admission are one shilling for adults and sixpence for children.

BAPTISMS

May 26
Graham John Whiteman

June 9       
Edward Colban Fawcett
Catherine Ann Fawcett

June 18
John Russell Haywood
Patricia Anne Haywood

June 23
Graeme Remington Harris
Kevin Langford Gray

June 29
Beverley Margaret Bayliss
Charles Hugh Holmwood
David Graham Holmwood

June 30
Anthony John Whiteman
Russell Williamson Allen

MARRIAGES

May 25
Oswald Prior Rennie Percy and Gwendoline Isabell Wainscott

June 1       
Clarence James Goodhue and Mime Clare Handley
Kenneth James Murray and Marjory Jean Cole

June 3
Eric Reginald Newman and Thelma Winnifred Denbee

June 8
Harry Frederick Adcock and Gwendoline Mary Carle

June 10
Gordon Longworth and Elizabeth Fairhurst Groves

June 15
George Hector Bell and Dorothy May Jones

June 29
Archibald Ian John Reynolds and Winifred Maud Adams.

BURIALS

May 23      
Mountfort [Montfort] Trimble [1]

June 6       
Joseph Arthur

June 18
Baby Bennett

June 26     
Humphreys Bryans

June 29     
Elizabeth Elliot.

OFFICE HOLDERS

Clergy--

The Ven. Archdeacon E. J. Rich, B.A., LTh., (Vicar), Church Street, Telephone 1006.
The Rev. T. V. Pearson, 18 Wrigley Street, Telephone 1502
The Rev. V. W. Joblin, 106 Chapel Street, Telephone 2231
The Rev. H. Taepa, 27 Cole Street.

Churchwardens--

Messrs R. E. Maunsell and J. Ninnes

Vestrymen--
Messrs E. J. Coleman
E. Hale,
W. L. Hunter,
G. Hyde,
A. O. Jones,
C. R. Mabson,
T. C. H. Miller,
P. G. Ramsay,
R. G. Russell, and
W. E. Vowell.

Hon. Secretary--
Mr A. O. Jones

Hon. Treasurer--
Mr H. A. R. Dunderdale

Lay Readers--
Messrs F. H. Dunderdale and J. F. Jaine

Organist--
Mr H. Miller Hope

Choirmaster--
Mr Wm. C. Mann

Synodsmen--
Messrs A. O. Jones and P. G. Ramsay

Sec. of Envelope System of Giving--
Mr V. H. Heath, 183 Dixon Street

Sec. Magazine--
Miss R. Robinson, 66 Essex Street.

Verger--
Mr G. F. Knapp, 79 Pine St.

St. Matthew’s School for Girls--
Principal, Mrs Max Cleghorn, B.A.

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[1] Montfort [Mountfort] Trimble (1862-1940) was a county solicitor of Masterton, who died in May 1940 at the age of 77. In his obituary in the Wairarapa Times Age of 22 May 1940, Trimble was described as well read in Italian as well as a noted Maori scholar.

Montfort was the third son of Colonel Robert Trimble (1824-1899) and his wife Jane (nee Heywood). Robert Trimble was also a book collector and the residue of his library, some 1,200 volumes which included works he had published on the slavery issue, were donated to the Alexander Turnbull Library in 1942 by his daughters.

Montfort's birth was registered in Lancashire, England, in the last quarter of 1862. He arrived in New Zealand with his parents who settled at Inglewood, Taranaki in 1875. Montfort was educated in New Plymouth and went on to study law, graduating with a Bachelor of Law in March 1891 from Victoria University College. He married Anne Martin Monckton of Featherston in 1906 but the marriage was childless, and in 1918 he became Masterton County Council solicitor.

On his death he left money to promote public afforestation. His trustees appointed the Masterton County Council to act on their behalf and the Council used the money to buy 127ha of land 17km north of Masterton and planted it in Pinus Radiata.

Two crops of pines have been harvested from the land and the  Montfort Trimble Foundation is charged with administering the income from the trees to further public afforestation. The Foundation has used part of the money from the sale of trees to purchase Rewanui, a farm property with magnificent native bush now known as Rewanui Forest Park, where visitors are welcome to enjoy the walks.

His name is sometimes recorded as Mountfort Trimble and this spelling occurs in the New Zealand marriage and death indices and in the list of graduands published in the Evening Post (28 February 1861, p4). Trimble was a quiet private man, with intellectual interests, and he was a significant New Zealand collector. It is said that though his house was cold and uncomfortable, it was filled with a magnificent library of books. Source: National Library of New Zealand - About Montfort Trimble

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