FAREWELL

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 128, 3 June 1919, Page 2

FAREWELL

TO RKV. A. BRUCE TODD,

. A farewell "eocial" was accorded to Rev. A. Bruce and Mrs. and Miss Tqdd in the 81. David's (I'etone) Presbyterian class room last evening. The Rev. A. M'Caw, Moderator of the Church, presided, and associated with him were the Mayor (Mr. J. \V. M'Ewan) and representatives of the various churches of the town. j The Chairman said that Mr. Todd wae leaving to take up important and responsible work in connection with the Church Extension Committee. In losing Mr. Todd from the district he was losing a personal friend who had rejoiced with him in his joys and had been a very sincere help to him in his time of sorrow. The church was losing a preacher of deep thought and a pastor who recognised to the full the value of the pastoral office. He was glad Mr. Todd's I wide knowledge would still be available to the Presbyterian Church as a- whole. On behalf of Mr. Todd's friends and well-wishers, he had much pleasure in prosenting him with a purse of sovereigns, and Miss Todd, whose services to the church had been of great value, with \ a present of a like nature. Mr. James Kerr, one of the church, I managers, expressed his sincere sorrow' lat tho loss the church was sustaining. The enthusiastic audienca would show the guests that they were leaving many warm hearts behind them. Mr. Todd had faithfully carried out the charge laid upon him, and had been a good pastor and a faithful preacher. Nothing that could be said would convey the deep reepect and esteem in which Mr. and Mrs. and Miss Todd were held. Mr. Roberts, an officer of the church, on his own behalf, and specially on behalf of the congregation, wished Mr. Todd God-speed in his new sphere of work. : Mr. F. Marshal], on behalf of the 'Church of Christ and as president of the United Christian Association, spoke of' the good work done by Mr. Todd for the no-license cause and the broader activities of Christian work in the town. On behalf of the United Christian Association, he presented Mr. Todd with a fountain pen. The Rev. C. Blair, representing the Methodi66 community, eulogised the brotherly welcome accorded him by Mr. Todd on his arrival in the town and the gratitude of the Methodist congregation for the services conducted for them from time to time. Mr. W. B. Nicholson expressed the sorrow of the Baptist community at the removal of such a good citizen and faithful minister. The' Mayor, Mr. J. W. M'Ewan, emphasised the virtues of good citizenship shown by Mr. Todd in his work for the no-license cause, and specially his greatservices during the epidemic. He had always sought to help the poor, and had given his best services to cheer the wives, mothers, and children of Petone's soldiers and sailors. Petone 'was losing a good citizen. My. J. Piper said he represented the man on the street, and spoke especially of the good work done by Mr. Todd outside his own church. Mr. Todd had always been ready to obey the call of humanity. , -. ! A letter of appreciation was read from Eev. T. Stealey.' Mr. Todd replied on behalf of Mrs. and Miss Todd and himself, and thanked the audience for the cordial feeling displaced, his friends for their gifts to hims"lf and Miss Todd, and the speakers for their kindly words. He left with sincere regret, and only because the call had come to other work. During the evening, Miss Betty Armstrong presented Mrs. Todd with a handsome bouquet of flowers. Musical items, greatly appreciated, were rendered by Mieses Roberts, Todd, and Morris, and Messrs. Chamberlain, M'lsaac, and Borrows. Supper was provided by the ladies of the congregation.