Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), Monday 4 February 1918, page 4


DEATH OF CANON ANDREWS.

A Pillar of the Church.

Canon William Buckton Andrews, for 40 years incumbent of St. Bartholomew's, Norwood, for more than 60 years a clergyman of the- Church of England in the Diocese of Adelaide, and a man of gentle

presence, beautiful spirit, and broad views, died at his residence, Wonnaminta, Crafers, shortly after 0 o'clock on Sunday evening. Respected by South Australians generally, and beloved by his fellow, clergy, he had by his frank out-spokenness, learned discourses, kindly criticism, and general regard for tbe com-mon weal, worked his way into the confi-dence of all classes, and his pass-ing will be widely mourned. It is in a large measure due to the efforts of such gentlemen that the work which was begun so well by the late Bishop Short has continued to prosper. In this connection the late Canon will always be remembered for bis zeal and enthusiasm, and for the con-scientious discharge of the onerous calls upon his talents.

—Early History.— Canon Andrews was the son of an English lawyer, who lived at Epping. He was born in 1830, and was one of a familv of 11. His eldest brother— the late Richard Bullock Andrews— was for many years the third Judge in the Supreme Court of this State. Partly educated at Radley Hall, near Oxford, the future canon studied theo-logy, and arrived in South Australia on July 28, 1854, with letters of introduction to Bishop Short from the learned Dr. Tattam. of Essex, and others. On June 29, 1855 (St. Peter's Day), he was ordained deacon in Holy Trinity church, Adelaide, by Bishop Short, having first engaged in catechist's work at Balhannah and Woodside. Then he served as curate of those parishes under the Rev. John Fulford, incumbent of St. James's, Blakistou. He was at that time the youngest clergyman in the diocese. Hav-ing received full orders in 1850, he pro-ceeded, as missionary to that part of the soutb-eastern district lying on the other side of the Border Downs, embracing the towns of Narracoorte. Penola. Mount Gambier, and Robe. This circuit com-prised several hundred miles, and its enor-mous extent entailed long and arduous journeys on horseback, which sometimes meant spending long days in the saddle and the unenviable experience of being bushed at night. When he left Adelaide for the south-east some people said that the work would kill the young clergyman, but he faced the position manfully. He married Miss Barbara Smith, of Coomom Station (V.), who died in May, 1912. —A Pioneer in the South-East.— Canon Andrews was the first clergyman sent to those parts of the diocese, and, of course, found everything in embryo. There were no churches or ecclesiastical buildings of any kind, and the residents for the most part were little accustomed to the Angli-can order of worship. His ministrations, however, were cordally welcomed by all denominations, because for some time he remained the sole representative of tho Christian ministry. A severe attack of typhoid fever terminated his work there in a little more than a year, and at the end of 1857 he entered upon the incumbency of St. James's, Blakiston, which had been vacated by the Rev. J. Fulford. Here he remained for six years, and then he accepted an invitation to take charge of St. Michael's, Mitcham, where he remained for five years. By this time Mount Gam-bier bad developed into a place of con-siderable importance, with a handsome church, schoolroom, and commodious par-sonage, all out of debt - Iargely owing to the liberality and church zeal of Dr. William Browne. This, and the attraction of a cool climate, induced him in February, 1869, to accept the call of the Mount Gambier people, and return there after nearly 12 years absence. —Forty Years in Norwood.— For family reasons, however, he was again glad to embrace tbe advantages of residence near to the capital, and so in July, 1874, he accepted the call of tbe people of St. Bartholomew's, Norwood, where he worked unceasingly for 40 years. Connected closely with him in all his good work were Mrs. Andrews and family, who in the home gave him their co-operation and sym-pathy, and were ever to the front co-operating with cheering and inspiring their fellow-church workers. During his incumbency of St. Bartholomew's, Canon Andrews saw a great expansion of church work in that parish, both materi-ally and spiritually. The Sunday school grew to be the largest in the diocese; and the day school, which was established in 1830, flourished, in spite of the intro-duction of free education in the State schools. When the Sunday School Union established examinations for scholars and teachers Canon Andrews was among the first clergymen who encouraged the work, and those labouring under him had more than average success in obtaining distinctions from year to year. In 1893 a special week-night service was held to commemorate his silver jubilee, when his old friend, the late Archdeacon Dove, preached. Mr. Andrews was appomtod an honorary canon by the late Bishop Short in 1881. and a full canon of St. Peter's Cathedral bv Bishop Kennon in 1890. He was rural dean of Kensington from 1889 to 1892, and again from 1895 until 1902, and of the suburbs of Adelaide from 1903 to 1907. —The Canon Reviews His Work.— There is a beautiful confidence of duty faithfully performed in one of Canon Andrews's reports to his flock. Hav-ing reminded them that he was about to celebrate his church jubilee, he said:— 'You may ask what progress as regards church work have I to record as the result of that long period of ministra-tion of the Word and Sacraments. Look-ing at tbe word 'progress' in its highest aspect as a 'building up of souls in our most holy faith,' I dare say no more than this— that through divine mercy it has been given to me to adhere (as I trust steadily) to the purpose which I expressed on the day of my induction in 1874. To go among you in the strength of the Lord God, and to make mention of His righteousness only.' Since that purpose was affirmed, many have died or otherwise departed from this con-gregation, and many have been born and brought into it But I would tbankfully say that, amid all the inevitable, and in many respects regrettable, changes that have taken place, my faith in the great verities of the Gospel has undergone no change. And if I cannot point (as some seem able to do) to any striking fruits of my ministry, I can at least humbly say in reference to these saving truths, 'So we preached, and so (as I have good reason to hope) ye have believed.' . . . The tide of population seems to be receding from this particular locality while it flows in other directions. As to material progress there-fore, so far from making way we are, I fear, rapidlv declining, as the churchwardens, who have to do with the tempo-ralities, know too wefl. ... In this connection let me say this. If the steady reduction of seat rents and of offertory from year to year is traceable in any degree to my having continued too Iong in this cure (as our late Bishop suggests may be tbe case in some instances), then it will become a matter for serious considera-tion whether it be not my duty to make way for another. We are poor judges of our own powers, and I think it very pos-sible that while with some men of advanced years there is scarcely a consciousness of 'fheir natural force abating.' that abate-ment may be very evident to others, and possibly very inconvenient to them. too. Let me say, then, that if my long con-tinuance in this cure is acting as an ob-structual to its material growth and pro-

adence as to what I ought to do.' '-- But his congregation were the best jundges, -and they were content tbat the beloved, and revered Canon should continue as their spititual leader. He retained the pastorate until 1914, and in that year impressive tributes to his zeal and long service were paid at a valedictory meeting on October 1. The congregation placed a stained glass window in St. Bartholomew's to commemo- rate his ministry there. The family - Canon Andrews had a family of six - three sons - Mr. W. W. Andrews (Assistant Engi-neer for Railway Construction), the late Capt. J. .D. Andrews of the P. and O. mail service; Mr. Richard Andrews, solicitor practising in Westezn Australia, - and three daughters - Mrs E. Andrews, Mrs Arthur H. Nutting (Port Augusta), and Mrs. A. Louis Giles (Medindie).

THE LATE CANON ANDREWS

THE LATE CANON ANDREWS