ORDINATION OF THE REV. A. G BOYD, AT ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 780, 30 March 1877, Page 3

ORDINATION OF THE REV. A. G BOYD, AT ALEXANDRA.

The Presbytery of Clutha met at Alexandra. on Wednesday last, for tho purpose of ordaining tho Rev. A. G. Boyd to the office of tho ministry. There was a largo attendance of the congregation. Tho Rev. J. Skinner, of Waitahuna, presided, and after sermon Mr Boyd was solemnly ordained by prayer and the laying on of hands. He was afterwards suitably addressed by the Bov. Mr Cameron, of Lawrence ; and the congregation was addressed by tho Rev Mr Telford, of Teviot. The newly ordained pastor was afterwards cordially welcomed by the congregation. The proceedings were deeply interesting throughout. A Soiree was held in the evening, and was very largely attended. Tea was served in the Public Library, which was tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens. After tea the meeting was held in the School-room, when a very pleasant and .profitable time was spent. The Chairman opened the meeting with a few remarks, in which he said he was glad to think that the hones which they had long been cherishing had that day been fulfilled. He also said lie was happy in his work amongst them, and he trusted that, as he had been ordained to the full- work of tlie ministry, he would be more extensively useful among them. The Rev. Mr Skinner spoke of the power of example. He said that some people thought they had no influence, that they oecupied'so humble a station, and were so little noticed, that it mattered little what they did. That was a grand mistake. Everyone had influence ; everyone was a power for good or for evil among Ills neighbors, and that power was exercised mainly through example. He then illustrated his meaning by referring to several instances of the power of example. He showed how the influence even of the humblest of men was felt, not only by those around, but often it extended even to the remotest parts of the earth. Kay, it might extend even beyond ibis earth and ibis life, and affect a man’s destiny forever. The Rev Mr Cameron was thenext speaker. His subject Was co-operation. He (the speaker) said that they had not to go far for an example of Ibis. When he looked around him and saw the excellent arrangements of the evening he felt that in them he had an example of co operation. There were also many illustrations of co-operation in the Bible. The third chapbr of Kehemiah was entirely on this subject. Tins principle, then, they were -to carry into the congregational life. They had to build a church, and they were to co-operate in that. They had now a ininistVr ordained over them, and they were not to allow him to work alone, they were to co-operate with him iu the ordinary work of the congregation. The Rev Mr Telford then spoke on the duty of encouraging ministers. That was a duty which they all recognised, and he would point out some of the ways in which they could do it. ’they could encourage hj m hy regular attendance on ordinances, for if it was the minister's duty to preach, it was a duty equally binding on the people to he present and to hear. They could encourage him also by praying for him, and by liberally ] rovidiug for bis support. All the speakers concurred in congratulating the Rev Mr Boyd on his hearty and harmonious settlement, and expressed the hope that in his extensive district he would not only find a wide field for usefulness but be abundantly encouraged and blessed in bis labors. An excellent choir, under the able and energetic leadership of Mr M •Connocliie, sang a number of hymns and anthems durug the evening. A pleasant variety was also given by the singing of a few solos by one of the young ladies of the choir. Af.er the usual votes of thanks the whole assemblage rose and joined in singing the National Anthem, and the meeting broke up about 10 o’clock, every one being highly delighted with the evening’s entertainment.