RETIRING PASTOR.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19957, 18 June 1930, Page 3

RETIRING PASTOR.

THE REV J. MILLER, PAPANUL The Rov. J. Miller, of St. Giles's Presbyterian Church, Papantri, is retiring after four years of service with the church and 37 years in the ministry. On Saturday last he was met by. bis people at a social evening in the hall, the Rev. G. K. Aitken, of New Brighton, presiding. The Rev. J. IX Webster, of St. David's Church, spoke on behalf of the Presbytery of Chriatchurch, stating that Mr Miller had always conducted the affairs of the Presbytery, during his term in the Moderator's chair, in an efficient and business-like manner. He had done a great deal of work for the Church in visiting all the Home Mission stations within the bounds of the Presbytery, encouraging bojth missionaries and people with his messages of goodwill. The Rev. W. H. Orbell, representing the Papanui Church of England, spoke of the harmony and good fellowship that had always existed between Mr Miller and himself, and expressed great regret at Mr Miller's retirement. Other speakers were the Bev. P. Rule, an ex-Moderator of the Presbytery, the Rev. A. Hopper (Papanui Methodist Church), Mr Davidson (home mission' ary at Spreydon), Mr R. D. Rnle (session clerk), Mr August (for the young people), Miss E. McLauchlan (for the ladies of the congregation), and Miss Brenda Wallace (for the junior Bible Class). Thg clerk then presented Mr Miller with a wallet of notes and wished him and Mrs Miller, who had also been of the greatest service to the Church, long life and happiness in their days of retirement.

lit reply Mr Milkr thanked the people for their kindly expressions of goodwill towards himself and Mrs Miller, and said that they would long cherish the memory of the gathering. During the evening musical items were given by Mrs R, Morgan, Miss O. Jenkins, Miss E. Bitcbie, and Mr Green.