CHURCH FAREWELL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 151, 22 March 1939, Page 6

CHURCH FAREWELL

Tributes To Rev. L. J. Boulton Smith MINISTRY AT VIVIAN ST. A large congregation in the Vivian Street Baptist Church last night said farewell to the Rev. L. J. Boulton Smith, minister of the church for the last eight years, and Mrs. Smith. Mr. Boulton Smith lias been appointed minister of the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, Christchurch, and will leave for the soutli tonight. His successor at Vivian Street has not yet been appointed. Mr. W. Shearer presided over the gathering, which included representatives of other denominations. Apologies for absence were received from the Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. 11. St Barbe Holland, the Ven. Archdeacon W. Bullock, and the Rev. V. Paris, of the Taranaki Street Methodist Church. Speeches eulogizing tile work of Mr. Boulton Smith in Wellington were made by the chairman and the following ministers of other churches: The Rev. Arthur Muriel, Congregational, the Rev. J. R. Blanchard, Presbyterian, and Pastor A. G. Saunders, Church of Christ. The Rev. F. 11. Lloyd spoke on behalf of the Wellington Auxiliary of Baptist Churches. Reference was made to a definite contribution by Mr. Boulton Smith to the restatement of the Gospel, in terms of modern life, and his success in touching a section of the community which, was looking for that re-statement. In making it he had spoken in a thoughtprovoking and courageous way. . His work as secretary of the Dominion Church Broadcasting Committee was also praised. The Rev. L. A. North, formerly of the Oxford Terrace Church, spoke for the Baptist Union, of which he is now secretary. The general secretary of the Wellington Y.M.C.A., Mr. Victor C. Jones, spoke of Mr. Boulton Smith’s valuable service on the board of directors, particularly during the depression years. Presentations were made of a wallet, containing a cheque, to Mr. Boulton Smith, and a handbag to Mrs. Boulton Smith, the latter presentation being made on behalf of the women of the Church by Mrs. A. Donovan.