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l was to hear those words again some years later. While visiting him in Charlottetown, I pointed out that he hadjust sailed through a stop sign in his car without stopping. Again — "I'm Rector here!"

At St. Mark's he let his boys have the run ofthe Church and the parish hall. No questions were asked. He just gave us the keys and let us play. Somehow he kept the vestry satisfied. despite the odd broken chair or window. He trusted us. Is it any wonder so many of us followed him?

The servers occasionally hosted, and were delegated to police, fund—raising dances in the parish hall at St. Mark's. These could be quite violent affairs, often becoming the site for rumbles between the racial gangs from the north and west ends ofthe City. I was terrified in the resulting punch-ups. One night, I went over to the Rectory near the start of one ofthese events to report on the horrible things that were starting to happen. "Go back and play the man". I was told. So I went back. and in the course of one tussle had my shirt torn right up my backside. I returned to the Rectory, and in front of the rather genteel company being entertained by rector and wife. proceeded to display the damage. I forget what he growled at me. but I remember the twinkle in his eye as he did so.

That growl! It was always, "Hamlin, you moron!" The more he cuffed us (verbally) the more we loved it - and him. For we knew that he loved us.

There was one time when l was 'larking' as the procession formed up before the main Sunday morning service. I found myselfbeing seized by the ear. ordered to take off my server's vestments, and banished to sit with my mother in the nave. The embarrassment hurt. but it gave me a lifelong reverence for the house ofthe Lord that is sadly lacking these days. He apologised to me at the end ofthe service. and it was a long time before I forgave him. But I learned a valuable lesson.

The time came for me to be made deacon. Father Tanton was anchoring the pew immediately behind the two candidates (the other was Michael Boyd). As Mel French (Staff‘s successor as rector ofSt. Mark's) delivered one of his excellent and impassioned social-action sermons, there was a steady. and clearly audible rumble of"heresy. heresy!" from behind (Staff was incapable of speaking 50110 wow). I was terrified that a scene might develop between these two stalwarts of the Church, with each holding such strong, but opposing views ofthe Faith. Bishop George Arnold, who was officiating at the ordination, seemed oblivious to it all - although he did have a bit of a mischievous smile playing on his lips. It all passed off quite peaceably in the end.