LATE MR S. R. INGOLD

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20099, 1 December 1930, Page 8

LATE MR S. R. INGOLD

MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED. "Tn losing memory of Samuel'Ratcliff e" In gold (1358-1938), who served God nnrl the Church with great devotion and faithfulness. Secretary for 42 years. The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance." This is the inscription on a memorial tablet in the Oxford terrace Baptist Church, which waa unveiled yesterday morning bv the Rev. J. J. North. It is in tho form of a cast bronze panel, frr.ined in ofikj both, th© tjiljlGtj iind the framine being beautifully foliated. Mr F. G. Gurnsey. was responsible tor the design and execution of the memorial. "This tablet." saitl Kev. Mr North in unveiling it, "is dedicated: to tho glory of God, and in memory of a faithful Christian life.'' Taking for his text: "The faith once for all delivered to tho saints" (Jude. Chapter III.), the preacher said Christianity was built on an enduring foundation. Christianity first came int» the world as an activo force, it was called tho Way. Later, it was known as the Faitli, which was now the distinctive name of Christianity. Faith pressed beyond tho utmost marches of intellect: Through the deficiencies of the English language for the verb form people fell back upon the inferior word "believe." lt was not the things in detail peojilo believed about the Christian religion which mattered; it was whether they said ''Yes"' to Christ. In a world which was like a maelstrrirh the Biblical phrase, "once for all," had a challenge in it; the pillars of Christian religion did not change. How did they know that there was a God and that He was love? Jesus certified it; Ho lifted the veil. The Christian Faith was not a speculation but a cert.iinty. It did not vary, was unshaken by the march of human opinion. The.v were remembering that morning a man to whom these things were very true. He lived in the love of God, and his name was very fragrant mi the City because of. his urmtained honour. No man liad cast a, stone at him unworthily. To their Church his whole life's service was given. He knew almost everybody who came there, and showed no ostentation to ■ the rich or foolish pride t& the poor. He was a good man l full of faith, "ft will be a good thing if in this Church his name is kept in memory," saitj the preacher.