Right Rev. J. R. Harmer ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 277 has already endeared himself to the people. Owing to the advance of setdement, the development of country once remote, and the improved means of transit, he has not been called upon to undertake such arduous journeys as some of his predecessors ; and yet, wherever he has gone in this extensive Province, he has made a good impression upon the bronzed, hard)-, and critical resident, whether the denizen of a township or a backwoodsman. Dr. Harmer is young and energetic, and thoroughly earnest and sincere in his desire to serve his flock. He has so judged Australian character that he immediately places those with whom he converses at their ease, and shows them that he is a friend, and not a critic with the curling lip. John Reginald Harmer was born at Maisemore, near Gloucester, England, 43 years ago. After a happy preparation period at Eton, he proceeded to King's College, Cambridge, where he was destined to pursue a brilliant career. In 1878, his first year, he became Bell Scholar, which, though confined to sons of the clergy, always ranks high among the distinctions open to the younger students at the University. This scholarship has been achieved by such illustrious men as Alford, of Greek Testament fame ; Kennedy, senior classic ; Thirwell, the historian ; Holder, senior classic ; Butler, master of Trinity and late headmaster of Harrow ; and VVeldon, headmaster of Harrow. Then in 1883 he was Parus Prizeman, and E^vans and Scholefield Prizeman. For the uninitiated it may be explained that the former is obtained for the accurate study of the Greek Testament, and the latter for the critical study of Holy Writ. In 1881, also, he was fifth in the first class for the Classical Tripos, and two years later in the Theological Tripos, thus winning what is known as a " Double First " — a very distinguished record indeed. In the following year he took his M.A. degree, and in 1885 the M.A. ad ermdem at Durham University. Such were the distinguished scholaristic exploits of Dr. Harmer at the University. Among his fellows he was regarded as a rising man in the Church, and a brilliant classical scholar and theologian. In 1883 Dr. Harmer was ordained a Deacon, and in the following year a Priest. From 1883 to 1889 he was a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and from 1883 to 1884 he was curate of Monkwearmouth. He was Domestic Chaplain to the Bishop of Durham, the late Dr. Lightfoot, from 1884 to 1889. While fiilfilling the duties appertaining to this latter office, he was drawn into close relationship with the venerable and talented Bishop, and obtained a considerable knowledge of his life and studious nature. In 1889 he edited, for Macmillan & Co., "The Apostolic Fathers," and other of Dr. Lightfoot's posthumous works. To this severe task he brought a discriminating judgment and extensive erudition ; and the books have proved of great value to Churchmen. During these years Dr. Harmer had been rising more and more in general favor. Both in the pulpit, and in his other numerous duties, he evinced much earnestness and singleness of purpose. He became a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, and Examining Chaplain to Dr. Westcott, Dr. Lightfoot's successor in the Bishopric of Durham, in 1890; and in 1891 he was made vice-principal of the Cambridge Clergy Training School. At Westminster Abbey, on May i, 1895, Dr. Harmer was consecrated Bishop of Adelaide, in succession to Dr. Kennion, translated to the English See of Bath and Wells; and on July 2 of the same year, he arrived in this Province. It might be
