278 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Right Rev. J R. Harmer considered by some that one so distinguished in scholarly attributes would find it difficult to identify himself with the conditions peculiar to a new country. Away from the great centres of learning and congenial association with men of proved talent, the scholar is apt to be depressed, unless he have some specially engrossing work to perform. Dr. Harmer quickly appraised Australian aspirations and the s])irit of the colonist, and he entered sympathetically into his new work. From the centre of learning he came to what is indeed an isolated, and not specially intellectual, community. In his own sphere, he is copying the work of the colonist, and, divested of the pomp and circumstance of Church life in P'ngland, he has become a colonist in Church matters in South Australia. He has travelled e.xtensively in the Province — among the inland townships, on the desert track, and in the remote bush ; and everywhere he has made new friends in his efforts to push the work of his Church. Dr. Harmer is a cultured preacher, and his .sermons ar<; bright and courageous, hopeful and ambitious, as is the colonist him.self. .St. Peter's Cathedral at North Adelaide is visited by large congregations, who listen attentively to his discourses, which are always marked by earnestness and sincerity. Since his arrival in .South Australia he has visited PLngland to attend the Lambeth Conference. After an ab.sence of eight months he returnixl to his southern field of labor in February. 1898. Bi.shop Harmer married, on January 3, 1895, Dorothy, daughter of the late Arthur Herbert .Somers-Corks, C.H., B.C.S., of London. Of Dr. Harmer, as showing his adaptability to the work he has chosen, it may be said that his life has undergone a complete transformation in its conditions, and that members of the Church of England in South Australia are the gainers. Rev. James Jefferis, LL.D. JAME.S JEFFERIS was born at Hristol, Somerset, on April 4, 1833. His earlier education was received at a grammar school in Bristol. He subsequently studied at New College, London, affiliated with the London University. In 1855, Dr. Jefferis graduated in Arts, and in the following year took the Bachelor Degree in Law, subsequently graduating as LL.D. in .Sydney University. He was ordained in 1858 as pastor of .Saltaire Congregational Church, in Yorkshire, but in the following year removed to North Adelaide, South Australia, where for 18 years he labored vigorou.sly and successfully as preacher, lecturer, and pastor. A lasting memorial of the influence exerted by Dr. Jefferis is seen in the University of Adelaide. In 1872, whilst Dr. Jefferis was Professor of Ecclesiastical History. Union College. Adelaide, a sum of ^20.000 was offered by Mr. W. Wat.son Hughes as an endowment. At the suggestion of Dr. Jefferis. both the Council of the College and the donor consented to devote the money to the foundation of a University instead of to the purpose originally intended. .Sir Thomas Elder gave another ^20,000, the Government provided an endowment of ^2,400 per annum and 50,000 acres of land, and thus a nourishing University aro.se, chiefly through the wise forethought and disinterested effort of many citizens, of which Dr. Jefferis was not the least. In 1877, and for the next 13 years, the scene of the Doctor's labors was in Sydney, New .South Wales. In December, 1889. Dr. Jefferis returned to England, but came back to South Australia in 1894 to resume the pastorate of his old Church at North Adelaide.
