"The sun was shining on the sea,
    Shining with all his might:
   He did his very best to make
   The billows smooth and bright --
    And this was odd, because it was the middle of the night."

It was not quite the middle of the night, but it was closer to being dark than not. I was standing on a well-known hill in Petite Riviere, Lunenburg County, when Robert Crouse began to recite those words from "The Walrus and the Carpenter." We were looking down at Risser's Beach, and beyond Dr. Crouse's deep voice I could hear the waves crashing against the shore as the moon began to rise over the horizon.

"O Oysters, come and walk with us!
The Walrus did beseech.
A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each."

I was amazed yet again at the talents of Robert Crouse. He is a terrific gardener, a wonderful cook, an accomplished musician, a renowned theologian, a faithful priest and pastor, and now, there he was, reciting Milne with a twinkle of humour in his eye and a look of delight on his face.

As he continued I was brought back to my childhood and had a clear memory of my parents reading to me at bedtime, comforting me with their love and stable presence in the midst of my unsure, little world. I tuned back into Father Crouse, and thought how much he is like a loving and stable parent to many of us who are distressed by the turmoil and uncertainties in the Church.

Robert Darwin Crouse was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts to Merle and Sarah (Crooks) Crouse. When Father Crouse was just a few months old the family moved back to Crousetown, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. When young Robert was just six years old his mother died of tuberculosis and he moved next-door into his grandparents' home where he still resides. His early schooling took place at Crousetown School, which stands next to St. Mary's Church, but he eventually attended King's College School in Windsor, N.S., where he graduated with Junior Matriculation. He then went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts at the University of King's College in Halifax, and an S.T.B. at Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.. After Father Crouse was ordained by Bishop Waterman he moved to Trinity College, Toronto, where he was a tutor for three years during which time he completed his Master of Theology degree. He then returned to Harvard University for his doctoral studies, following which he taught at Bishops' University in Quebec and eventually at Dalhousie University and King's College. He taught in Halifax for many years and has made a lasting impression on those who heard his lectures and those who heard him preach in the College Chapel. Dr. Crouse received a D.D. from Trinity College, Toronto, in 1983.

During his life, Dr. Crouse has done a great deal for the Anglican Church of Canada, especially in the Diocese of Nova Scotia. He has served as a delegate to General Synod, an Examining Chaplain for the Diocese of Nova Scotia, and is currently a member of the Primate's Theological Commission and the Bishop Short Canon Theologian for the Diocese of Saskatchewan. As I write this, Doctor Crouse is teaching at the Augustinianum in Rome, Italy as "Visiting Professor of Patrology". This is the third time he has filled this position, and he is the first non-Roman Catholic in history to be appointed to it. On top of all that, when he is home Father Crouse is a willing and beloved guest preacher and he assists a good deal in the Parishes of Petite Riviere and New Dublin, playing the organ at four of its nine churches.

It is quite a list of accomplishments, but Father Crouse's greatest accomplishment is as a faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. St. Paul reminds us: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gifts of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:1,2)

Father Crouse is a brilliant speaker and an extremely talented preacher. He is clear and concise, and what he has to say is always apropos, moving, and great fodder for spiritual growth. What he preaches most eloquently is the necessity and centrality of charity in the Christian life. Father Crouse does not just talk about being charitable, he is charitable, and he stands as an example for all of us in our dealings with God, our neighbours, our fellow Anglicans, and those that despise us. That is why I think Father Crouse's mind, heart and presence are so important to the Prayer Book Society of Canada. I mentioned at the outset that he is like a father to many of us and, indeed, to the Society as a whole. He remains firm and yet charitable in the midst of the various tempests within the Church. He constantly reminds us not to lose heart, but to trust in the good Providence of God in our lives and in the Church. And he lifts us up when we are down, plainly laying before us our task and our need to rejoice and have faith as we carry it out.

Let us give thanks to God for the gifts he has so obviously granted to Robert Crouse, and for our gift in knowing him and having him as one of our guides and fathers in Christ.

--Stephen Vail