INDUCTION AT RAKAIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1926, 23 August 1888, Page 3

INDUCTION AT RAKAIA.

The settlement of a Minister here had been eagerly looked forward to ever since the departure of Mr B. Stewart In May last. The Bev P. J. Blddle, late of Waluka In the Pre»b>tery of Auckland, havlDg been called by the people and having accepted tbe Invitation, wbs inducted on Wednesday, the 22nd, by the Presbytery of Obristchnroh. The mew. ben of Presbytery present were Reva West, moderator pro tern, Beattle, Bla Flnlayson, Sroellie (Rangiora), Rodger (Out). The Presbytery having been const 1 tuted divine service was oonducted in the Oddfellows' Hall by Mr Smellie, who preaohed an appropriate sermon ou tbe 125th Paalm. Mr West then stated the steps that had been taken in obtaining a Minister, and having put the usual questions and engaged In prayer, declared Mr Blddle to be Inducted into the pastoral charge, whereupon he reoeived the right band of fellowship from the brethren present. Mr Rodger then addressed the Minister In suitable terms, and Mr FlnlayBon delivered a praotical and appropriate •ddrau to the people. Tbe Minister-elect wu welcomed by the peoplejai they retired from the building. The social gathering was held In the Oddfellows' Hall and was attended by over 250 persons. An abundant supply of good thing! was spread oat, and the tables were provided by Mesdames West •nd Withers, assisted by Misses Stevenion, M Gabble, and M. West. (2) Meidamei Oopeland and Blackburn, insisted by Misses Strlngfellow, Laogford, and Mm Meade. (3) Misses MoMlllan and Fisher, (4) Mesdtmes Harvey and MoLean, anlated by Mesdsmes Ross and Stevenson. Ample justice having been done to the vlandi, the public meeting wai commenced soon after eight o'clock, and was presided over, daring tbe first part of It, by Rev Mr West. He was glad to say be was about to hand over tbe meetiog to Mr Blddle] who had that day been induoted Into tbe charge of the district, aod he trusted that sunshine had come at last for tbe congregations in the dlstrlot. A qnartet entitled " God Is love " was then lung by the Misses Gabble, Miss West, and Mr John Campbell. The Rev Mr Collins, who watt called cpoo, expressed tbe hope tbat he would be on as friendly terms with Mr Blddle •■ he bad been with Mr Stewart, and on behalf of the Church of England desired to weloome tbe new Minister to Rakala. Master and Misa Brace sang a duet "Nearer Homo." Mr West then Introduced Mr Riddle, who he laid had come to them In the prime of life and ready to work. Mr Bldoleaaid that after travelling so far M be bad jait done he was not In a position for saying muoh, but mast expreis the peculUr feelings with which he stood before them for tbe first time. He had been on a number of different charges in New Zealand and had never preached as a candidate, though several calls had come to him: He meant to preich tbe old gospel, It alone lifted men up, and the words of the Apostle " God forbid tbat I ■bould glory, save In the cross of Christ" found an echo in his heart. If they accepted of tbe gospel he preached his ministry would not be in vain. The members of tbe Church were also to be workers together with God. He wanted , consecrated men. He appealed to the f onng men to help him, and closed with < ft toncbing story of a poor boy who having ■ sothlog else to give at the collection, i devoted himself at a missionary meeting. ■ Miaa Brnoe aang, " Tbe Gates of the , West, 11 and at this point Mr Riddle took the chair, and called on Mr J. Campbell who stng "My Ain Countrle" from Sankey's collection. Mr Rodger (Oust) then addressed the meeting. He believed be was the only one on tbe platform who could speak to Mr Riddle as » personal acquaintance, for ■ow eleven years, and however favourably he might speak of htm he believed in six months they would corroborate every word. He came with a record of hard end noble work. He had a serong physique, warm heart, and cool brain. He hoped they would experience the power, presence, and promise of God, and exhorted them to nn.ty, charity, and liberality In deeds and wishes as well as In giving. Miss Ferguson Bang "The Passing Mr Sirellle (BaDglora) eipressed his congratulations and good wishes for the nnlon that bad been consummated that day In very fetfoltous terms. Dr Withers nog •• He Shall Feed His Flock." Mr Finlayoon (Mount SomersJ alluded to some of the ways In whioh tbe people «onld make their Minister's work easy, pleasant, and profitable, and cheerfully referred to the subject cf music and singing. He advocated aiming at the best that could be produoed in public worship. Jn congratulating the minister •nd people be thought the people had the best of the bargain. Tbe Misses Gabble sang* duet, "When tbe weary are at rest," Mr Beattle, added his congratulations •nd went on to refer to the Indootion of their first Minister Mr Weetbrook, now at Greymootb, and to the pleasant Inter course be bad had with Mr Stewart. He then spoke of the duly of parents In training their children, a duty whioh be flared was not sufficiently considered by many, and ended by asking the jonng people to join him in singing " Gome to Jesus just now." The oholr sang " God so loved the world.' Mr Blake was called on to move a vote of thanks to tbe ladles who bad provided the tea, and the oholr, who had come from Bouthbrldge. He had come that day to join In welooming Mr and Mrs Riddle to the district, and contrasted the fine meeting of that evening with the state of things eight years ago. The ladles had done their work well In regard to their material comforts tbat evening, and he treated they would appreciate their efforts. They were also under a debt of gratitude to those ladies and gentlemen, both of Bakala and Southbrldge, who had provided the music Before sitting down he wished to refer to a gentleman of whom little had been said that night. Mr Wesf had for the last six years had the oversight of the congregation, and he was sure he bad shown that he had their welfare at heart. Daring that long period be had cradertaken many journeys, and bad otherwise laboured bard to advance their Interests; Tbe congregation and Committee were greatly Indebted to him for the position to which they had attained. The votes of-thanks were carried with •colamation. Me Campbell briefly acknowledged the oompliment to the singers, •nd Dr Withers moved a vote of thanks to the speakers, and considered from his knowledge of the Rakala Presbyterians that Mr Biddle was to be congratulated as well as the people, and that the whole community would benefit, Miss M. Gabble sang "Consider the lilies," and with regard to the staging and musld as a whole we may say in a word that it was of a high order, and contributed much to the od joyment of the evening.