LATE MR; J. G. W. AITKEN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 285, 26 August 1921, Page 6

LATE MR; J. G. W. AITKEN

LOSS TO THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. At a meeting of the office-bearers of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, held, on Wednesday night, the following resolution was.passed:—“By the death of the Hon. John G. W. Aitken, thp congregation has sustained tho loss of its most honoured member, -the office-bearers of a brother, nay, a' father, esteemed not less for his kindliness than his wisdom; and the minister a most loyal and helpful friend. Tho Presbyterian Church of Now. Zealand libs in almost equal measure cause to mourn this bereave- , ment. In the general work of the church Mr. Aitken took ever the keenest interest. To the assembly and to many of its committees, notably the Hpard of Property, the . New Century Fund, home missions, and finance ho rendered services and made contributions that have laid the church under an enduring debt of gratitude? Outside the church Mr. Aitken laboured as strenuously for the public good. To every organisation that made for righteousness, *hat promoted philanthropy, that aimed nt the betterment of the moral and social condition of the people, he gave the unstinted support of his time and means. In the City Council and Parliament, both in the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council, he worked unceasingly for the general good with a zeal wholly freo from personal ambition and selfish ends, j Mr. Aitken was no common man. Gifted by nature with a physique capable of enduring toil beyond the average man's capacity, with a tenacious memory a.od much mental shrewdness, hej would in any case 'have made his marie upon contemporary life. But his distinguishing excellence was his character. In all tho virtues that commend the business mau to his fellows he stood • pre-eminent. Of unblemished integrity, his word in every transaction was as good as his bond. But ( it was something more than this that earned for him the universal esteem and even affection of his fellow-citizens and of the Church. It was the conviction universally entertained that in him the community had a man who served bei caused hq loved to serve. His supremo' quality was benevolence. And to the Church it is a chief cause of thanksgiving that his love of man was inspired by his lovo of God. Beyond all question the dominating factor in ken’s character and-life was his faith in Christ in whom he with his whole heart believed, and Whose will he ever sought humbly and reverently to do. As lie lived so he died. He passed a\vay trusting wholly in the mercy of' God his Saviour, through Whom he has now received the end of his faith, even the salvation of his soul. ' ■ "The office-bearers tender to the-rela-tives of Mr. Aitken their deep sympathy and commend them in their bereavement to the compassions of the Most High. As the best tribute they can pay to his memory they pledge themselves, as far as possible, to take up the burdens of the Church so long and. so willingly bonne by him who has now fallen asleep in tho Lord.” A SAILOR’S FRIEND. The following resolution was passed last evening at the anniversary meeting of the Sailors’ Friend Society" That this meeting desires to place on record its deep regret at the home call of the late Hon. J. G, W. Aitken, a member of the committee, who, by his wise counsel and devotion to the work, did •o much to further the temporal and spiritual interest of men who used this building. Further, it desires to tender its keen • sympathy to his relatives on . the loss of so worthy a citizen and ' friend." The motion was proposed by tho Rev. J. H. M'Kenzio. HOSPITAL BOARD RESOLUTION. A The Wellington Hospital Board yesterday passed a resolution convoying to the relatives of tho late Hon. J. G. W. Aitken its sincere sympathy in their loss, and; recording its appreciation of the de- -- ceased gentleman's many valuable public services. Mr. Aitken was chairman of the board in 1910. The motion was proposed by the present chairman (Mr. F. Castle) and seconded by Dr. J. K. Elliott, who spoke with deep feeling of the kindly acta that earned the late Mr. Aitken the friendship and gratitude of ao many. Other members of the board also spoke. 1