REV. J. GIBSON SMITH'S FAREWELL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2864, 31 August 1916, Page 3

REV. J. GIBSON SMITH'S FAREWELL

CONGREGATION'S PRESENTATION. Members of the congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church attended in large numbers last evening to bid farewell to their pastor,- the Rev. Gibson Smith, who, on account, of illhealth, has resigned from the ministry after-13 years' work in the parish. The senior elder and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Thomson, received the congregation, and the llev. J. Cumming (Moderator of the Church during the vacancy in the pastorate) presided., Tho chairman paid a high tribute to Mr. Smith, and described him as one of the ablest ministers in the Church in New Zealand. Regret was expressed at his retirement, and the speaker hoped that it would only be one of a temporary nature. Dr. J. Kennedy Elliott, D.D., spoke Ln high terms of the .esteem in which Mr. Smith, is lield, aud the Rev. \V. J. Comrie also spoke. Mr. R. Brown (session clerk) presented Mr. and Mrs. Smith with a checjiio for 100 guineas. A bound album was also presented to Air. Smith, which contained a farewell message from tho congregation. Sirs. R. Blackwood presented Mrs. Gibson Smith with a silver jewel casket as a parting token from the afternoon and evening guilds. On rising to reply the Rev. J. Gibson Smith said he could not 6how the congregation the depths which had been touched in him by the parting. The gain of the relief on account of his illness meant parting with so much, because his hopes in connection with St. Andrew's parish could not be realised. Mr. Smith thanked the congregation for their great kindness to himself, his wife, and his family, and said that he hoped tliat some day in the futuro ho would bo able to again take up a pastorate in the Presbyterian Church. (Applause.) Mr. Smith then proceeded to give instances of the various works ho jhad boon instrumental in commencing in connection with the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, and especially mentioned "The Outlook." Ho was not going away in tho immediate future and lie and his family would still be members of St. Andrew's congregation (Applause.) The following contributed items during the evening: Madame Dempster, Miss Dfyden, Messrs. Claughton, J. Searle, R. Blow, and Oakey. At the conclusion of the speeches the ladies dispensed refreshments.