THE REV. J. J. NORTH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1666, 5 February 1913, Page 6

THE REV. J. J. NORTH.

FAREWELL GATHERING. PRESENTATIONS AND INTERESTING SPEECHES. A largo and appreciative gathering assembled last evening in tho Vivian Street Baptist Church to say farewell to their pastor, tho Rev. J. J. North, who leaves shortly for Christchurch, whero ho will tako up his duties at tho Oxford Terraco Church.

Mr. J. Godber presided, and in an eulogistic upeech spoko with admiration of tho work and personal characteristics of Mr.' North. Ho likened Mr. North to Mr. Lloyd-George, who was a man who got things done, and Mr. North was another man who got things done. Ho also dwelt upon Mr. North's great kindness when visiting tho sick. He concluded by wishing Mr.' North God-speed and success, in his duties in his new sphere of activity. Mr. W. H. Hinton, tho next speaker, took a text for his speech from tho Book of Job—"He was a King who sat in his army; one who comforted tho mourners." Ever since he had heard of Mr. North's departure ho had theso words in his iuind. Ho paid a groat tribute to tho combination of strength and pity in Mr. North's character, of which thero were two sides. The press has only seen tho outside of Mr. North's . character—one had to know tho man to see the other side.

Mr. .T. G. W. Aitken said he was eorry that Mr. North was going away; sorry that terras leaving his work here; leaving his fight against those social evils which unhappily existed in Wellington. He pointed out how Mr. North had striven crush out the gambling evil. He believed that had Mr. North not taken up tho matter tho Government of the day would never havo passed the Gaming Act. ■*•. Mr. Hoby said that they had done their best to keep Mr. North among them, but unfortunately for them he considered it his duty to his mission, his family and himself, to go to Christchurch. ■ He knew that those present mho had heard Mr.. North preaching Sunday -after Sunday would fully recognise that Bo used all his efforts to ■.load men to Jesus Christ. As a preacher, he stood unrivalled in his denomination—in this Dominion at, least. He considered Mr. North had proved himself tho humblest of men, and should be proud of his great work against the public evils in the city, Moreover, Mr. North was an excellent financier for his church, and had a righteous abhorrence of debt. " Mr. Hoby then presented Mr., North with a photograph of tho deacons, whioh-'had 7 been taken cspeoially, for this purpose. ThoiKev. W. S. Potter (president of tho Ministers' Association) also said.a few, ■words in recognition of Mr. North's work in Wellington. ■/-..',, Mrs. Kirk, on behalf of the congregation, presented Mr. and Mrs. North with a silver tea service, and Mr; C. Cathie; presented bim with a cheque. ', Amidst enthusiastic applause,' Mr. North rose to reply..; He thanked those, present for their great kindness to him while he was their pastor, and again for giving Mrs. North and himself such a farewell gathering. Ho was very sury to have to leave them nil, but'ho'had to obey tho call to duty. He was proud of tho work he had done since he came to Wellington, and was prouder to be able to stato. that a great increase, nearly'so per cent., of membership had takfn place since,his:arrival. :•' He drew attention to tho''state of. affairs prevailing when he arrived eight years ago. Ho pointed, to tho number of race meetings held then, and tho position of the bookmaker at that time, and compared them with the stato of affairs at - tho present time. When people asked him "What have you done by all this agitating?" he cculd reply that they had : scrapped sonic hundred race-meetings. Some years ago 'pony racing was started in this city; and now Mr. North ventured to state that' 'there, would .never bo another pony'race \in this country. Tims he thought ho was-entitled to say that ho had done a little to help these things come to pass. Mr. North said he had a vision of New Zealand being a country full of happy and healthful human 'beings, who would be an example to the rest of the v-url.l. In conclusion he asked those present' to welcome tho E-eV. MrJ Brninby, who was coming from North Adelaide to succeed . him. After again thanking his audience, Mr. North took his public leave of his congregation, although he will preach for the last lime next Sunday. -

Mr. North dedicated 'the new' schqolroom for young men and women which has recently been built behind the church. This building has been greeted practically free from dobt.