PRESENTATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1814, 13 April 1888, Page 2

PRESENTATION.

Mr John Alison, of Ashburton, who for the last three years has been leader of the class in connection with the Wesleyan Church, Tinwald, and who haa teen ap. pointed Home Missionary at Methven, was entertained on Monday night by the members of that class, and presented with twelve volumes of Dr Eilicolt'a commentary on the New Testament. " The Footsteps of St. Paul," and the following address : — *• When we, the members of your class, heard of your determination to accept the call which we behove God haa given you, to go and work in Hie vinoyurd at .Methven, we were exceeding sorrowful ; but believing this oall to be a Divine one, we have no right, as Christians, to murmur at the way God is leading you. We feel sure that with all your time and talents devoted to the cause of God, in this larger sphere of labor, the great j and glorious work you have undertaken, to try and win sou\s for the Master's kingdom, that God will honor your faith, and make you even more useful in His service there than you have been here, although much sucotß3 Bha attended your efforts amongst us, for whioh we are deeply grateful. The prayers and sympathies of this class will ever go with you, arid we assure you that we shall always hold you in loving remembrance as the devoted servant of God who, for three years and more, with much eelf-denial, forbearance, antf love, has presided over our meetings, aod with cheering words and loving counesl, tried to help us heavenward, we can never forget your labor of love amongat us, and shall always pray that God's richest blessing may attend your labors. We ask your aooepfcance of 12 volumes of Dr Ellioott's commentary on the New Testament, and "The Footsteps of 8t Paul," as a small token of the love and esteem in which you are held by us, and trust that you may find them of use in the work you have undertaken of preaching the Goapel. Let the remembrance of the persecutions, dangers, difficulties, and trials that that great missionary St. Paul had to endure, comfort and cheer you, but do not be content to follow in the footsteps of even St. Paul, noblo and great as he was, but stcivo to follow in the Divine footsteps of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and when you shall dave finished tha work which Ho has given you to do down hero, mny you hear Him say, " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into tbo-joyof thy Lord. —Wo pray that we may each prove faithful unto death, and at last meet where' friends never part, but where we shall all join in Binging the song of the Redeemed. Again wishing you God speed in your undertaking, with prayers that God's blessing may be upon you and yourß, and that every success may attend your labors We beg to Bubsoribe ourselves. Signed by,— fc"v Members of the class." A^ter short addresses by the Revs Buttle, Burrows, and Messrs Caygill and Hawkins, the meeting closed. There wi'l be a social gathering of the frlenda of fifr and Mrs Alison In »Siundera' Baildlng this evening to bid them farewell as Me Alison 1b leaving for Methven, where he goes aa H me Missionary in connection with the Wealeyan Methodist Church.