Presentation to Mr Drake.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 232, 21 April 1874, Page 7

Presentation to Mr Drake.

At the weekly prayer meeting in the Anderson's Bay Church, on Thursday evening, a very impressive servico was hold by the Rev. Mr Drake, of Cromwell, who has been supplying the place of the regular clergyman for some /weeks past, and who spoke at sonio-length on Hebrews x., 28 :- "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering," &c. After pressing home the various truths contained in the text in illustration of the manner in which Christians should hold fast,—it should be like a death grip,—ho stated that he remembered an occurrence that happened in the town of Yarmouth, England, 40 years ago. There was then a suspension bridge across the river, tlie chains on one side of which suddenly gave way, when over three hundred people were precipitated into the river ; over fifty people were drowned. One man, a sailor, was the means of saving over sixty lives. A young woman, whom he was endeavouring to save, got hold of him by the throat, and took such a hold that, to release himself, he was forced to use the knife which sailors usually carry, and he had to cut all round her wrist before he could unloose the grasp she had hold of him. At the inquest one of the bodies found was that of this lady, and her wrist cut all round. No one present could account for how it could have been done ; when a sailor came in, and, casting himself down in a great state of excitement, told the coroner how he had been compelled to do it to save his own life. At the close of the service, this being the last occasion that Mr Drake would be there, opportunity was taken of presenting him with a testimonial, as a mark of the estimation in which the members appreciated the services conducted by him during his stay amongst them ; and the wishes and prayers of the congregation were, that the blessing of God, whose he was, and whom he served, might be with him wherever he was called to labour, and would follow him all his days. To which desire he very feelingly replied, and said that this gift was wholly unexpected by him, and he accepted it with like feelings that had prompted its presentation ; and he prayed that the Divine blessing might rest upon all those present, and on their children, and on all connected with the congregation. — G aardlan.