April 1941 Parish Magazine

THE VICAR’S LETTER

My Dear Parishioners,

All who took part in the inspiring and crowded services which marked the National Day of Prayer will long remember them. Our parishioners responded splendidly to the call of our King, revealing their loyalty and their sincerity. Many of us have caught a new vision of the power which could be set free by a world whose people were utterly dedicated to God’s Cause.

The glory of the services of that day must not be allowed to fade. We turned to God and now we must follow Him all the way. So good will come out of the horror of this war and we shall create the conditions which will render possible the better world for which we strive.

On the Day of Prayer we learned afresh the power of corporate prayer. Let us use that power that all who serve may feel that they are supported by a living fellowship all the time.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH.

PARISH NOTES

A very beautiful service was held in the Chapel of Bishopscourt, Wellington, on Tuesday, 4th March, when the Bishop confirmed Trooper J. V. Sherborne and his son. The father was prepared in camp and the son here in Masterton, and they made their Communion at St. Matthew’s on the morning following their confirmation.

Good progress is being made with the painting of the Bideford Church. The interior is already transformed. It is splendid that this old Church building is being beautified by the voluntary labour of parishioners in that district.

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in Holy Week, there will be a devotional service each day at 7.30 p.m. The Holy Communion will be celebrated on Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m., and on Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30 a.m.

In spite of many calls on them, parishioners are, as usual, helping generously the annual appeal for Sedgley. The work for the boys must go on. Returns are not yet complete, but it looks as if the total will be perhaps higher than last year. We thank all the collectors and all who supported them.

GOOD FRIDAY

The services on this sacred day can be amongst the most helpful of the whole year. It comes with a challenge to watch with Christ as the great drama of redemption fills us with wonder and humble thanksgiving. Every moment we can spend with God is precious to the sincere Christian. The day will start with Litany and Ante-Communion in St Matthew’s Church, at 8 a.m., Matins and sermon will follow at 10 a.m. At 12 (noon) the helpful Three Hours’ Service will begin, conducted by the Rev. H. S. I. Kenney, Vicar of Petone. At 7 p.m., there will be a lantern service on the Crucifixion. At Kuripuni there will be a service at 9 a.m.

EASTER DAY

The great and glorious festival of the Resurrection, with its message of triumph over evil will come home to every Christian with special force this year. On this great day all Communicants are required to make their Communions. There will be celebrations at St. Matthew’s at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., and 11 a.m.  Children’s service will be at 10 a.m. and Evensong and 7 p.m.  Services will be held at Upper Plain at 9.15 a.m., at Taueru at 10.30 a.m., and at Bideford at 2.30 p.m.

Any unable on account of sickness to make their Easter Communion in Church are asked to notify the Vicar that arrangements may be made for them to receive the Sacrament privately.

Before 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, 12th April, we shall be grateful for gifts of flowers and greenery for our Easter decorations and at that hour we shall be glad of the help of many in preparing the Church.

IN MEMORIAM

The Venerable Archdeacon Bullock writes:--

Dear Archdeacon,

I am grateful to you for kindly allowing me space in your Parish Paper for an expression of appreciation of the late Ebenezer Hale, whose funeral I was prevented from attending.

E. Hale, as the newspapers called him, was one of the finest Christian gentlemen I have been fortunate enough to know. The qualities of saintliness were so compacted in him as to make his life one that would bear examination even by those who knew him most intimately.  What were those qualities?

First, there was his unwavering faith. When anyone ventured a query about God or His goodness it was characteristic of Mr Hale to point to the sun and say, “When that goes out of business, you can begin to talk like that.”  Not all the doctors and theologians have found plainer or more compelling reasons for believing.

Secondly, there was his unswerving loyalty to his Church, and to his Clergy, because they serve that Church. I often heard him say, “My Vicar may be a Chinaman, it makes no difference.” And we knew it didn’t. Every Vicar who has been in Masterton since and has known Ebenezer Hale has had from him the same friendliness and staunch loyalty. There was no littleness in that way about him.

Added to these were his undoubted courage in speaking what he felt to be true and the absence of any meanness in his character. I have often thanked God for him and shall do so again, for when the mists of death gather round us and the faces we have loved and lost begin to pierce that gloom, it will make us glad to know that the face of Ebenezer Hale will come smiling through. May Eternal Light rest upon him!

Wm BULLOCK.

Early in the morning of Monday, 3rd March, Mrs J. Buckton passed to her rest. For many years she was a regular and faithful worshipper at St Matthew’s Church, keenly interested in all the activities of the parish, and ready to help in every way she could.

On the evening of Tuesday, 4th March, Mrs E. W. Winhall passed to her rest after a long period of ill-health patiently borne. Supported by a real faith she maintained touch with her Church’s work and worship and helped in every way she could.

News reached Masterton recently of the death in England of the Rev. P. W. Earee, on Christmas Eve, 1940. Mr Earee was still remembered with affection by older members of this parish, of which he was Vicar from 1897 to 1905. Besides his work for a Church which saw the erection of the beautiful St Alban’s Church at Taueru, he was keenly interested in musical culture.

Early in the morning of Monday, 24th March, Mrs R. F. R. Beetham, of Brancepeth, passed away. Her gracious personality, her charm and cheerful nature, her understanding sympathy, her unfailing helpfulness, endeared her to all. Her hospitality made the services at Brancepeth a real fellowship and she was ever ready to help in all the work of her Church.

We leave these faithful Christians in God’s keeping and express to the relatives our sincere sympathy in their bereavements.

PROPOSED MEMORIAL

It is not surprising to find a keen desire to place in St. Matthew’s Church some memorial to commemorate the splendid life and character of that grand Christian, the late Mr E. Hale. It is proposed to place a memorial pew in the Church, the gift of his friends. Many will desire to be associated with this memorial and all parishioners who desire to have a share in honouring this faithful worker are asked to hand their contribution to the Vicar. The cost of the memorial pew is estimated at £17 12s 6d.

CONFIRMATION SERVICE

On Monday, 31st March, at 7.30 p.m., the Bishop will hold an adult Confirmation service in St Matthew’s Church. This will be a memorable occasion and our Bishop’s message will help us all. We shall welcome the candidates who have taken a keen interest in their preparation, to full membership of the Church.

C.E.M.S.

The paper for the March meeting dealt with practical questions of social and national relationships. A very good discussion resulted. C.E.M.S. members will renew their membership at the evening service on Palm Sunday, 6th April. The next meeting will be held on Monday, 7th April, at 8.15 p.m., following the service in Church at 7.30 p.m. The vitally important subject to be dealt with is “The Christian Man and Education.” The paper is by Dr John Nicol, of Wellington, an authority on problems of education. Interesting and searching questions are set down for discussion.

ANNUAL MEETING

This is the most important meeting of the year, and will be held in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, 16th April, at 7.45 p.m.  Reports and financial statements dealing with the work of the parish during the year ended 31st March, will be presented, officers will be elected for the coming year and the work of our Church in the future will be discussed.  Synodsmen will be elected for the ensuing three years. The year that has just ended has been a memorable one for our parish, and it will be an encouragement to the parish officers if all parishioners will endeavour to be present. At the conclusion of the business, supper will be served by wives of the Vestrymen.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Anonymous, Miss Gordon, Miss Vallance, 10/- each; Mrs Penistone, Miss Cresswell, 5/- each; Mrs Viles, 4/-; Mrs G. C. Williams, 3/9; Mesdames G. Hallam, Ray, Heath, Hatch, Spencer, Horner, Mr R. W. Brooks, Miss Brown, 3/- each; Mrs Angrove, Miss Tuxford, Mrs Winzenberg, 2/6 each; Mesdames Darvill, Reeves, 3/- each; Mrs Hope, Mr Hunt, 2/6 each; Mrs Ashworth, 5/- each; Mrs A. J. Welch, Mrs H. C. Robinson, Miss W. Nicholls, Miss Colquhoun, 3/- each; Mr H. E. Friend, 2/6.

THE FUTURE

Our Bishop writes:

“Each month that passes convinces me that we must let our Church be the workshop in which God is fashioning an ever-increasing number of men and women who are prepared and equipped to live selflessly and nobly in the coming years.  I have recently picked up the words that were spoken by Cardinal Mercier during the last war:

‘How many of these young men who in the impulse of patriotism had the resolution to die well might not have had the resolution to live well.’

Surely it is the Church’s work to see that the young men and women of the coming generation have that resolution to live well, which alone can give us the prospect of a better world.”

BAPTISMS

February

17        Gael Edna Paynter

20        Muriel Stout Russell

22        Elizabeth Rae Grantham

24        Murray James Clarke.

March

2          Gael Ann Mitchell

16        Graeme James Welch

MARRIAGES

February

22        Albert Edward William Rutherford and Eileen Constance Yalden

22        Dudley Mervyn Thompson and Gladys Beatrice Davies

March

1          John Craddock Armstrong and Florence Remuera Bartholomew

BURIALS

February

18        Montigue Thomas Carruthers

20        John Holes

            John Pilcher

25        Phillip Lewis Gully

26        Frederick Charles Stowell

March

3          Eileen Elizabeth Marshall

4          Margaret Buckton

6          Fanny Elizabeth Winhall

19        Flora Willoughby

21        Alfred Rolph

25        Mabel Carrington Beetham

27        Mary Boyle Barclay

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