FOUNDER OF CENTRAL MISSION

Evening Star, Issue 19659, 12 September 1927, Page 13

FOUNDER OF CENTRAL MISSION

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR REV. W. READY A memorial service was held in the Octagon Hall last evening in memory of the late Rev. W. Ready, founder of the Central Mission. Mr Ready died at Palmerston North last week. The Rev. W. Walker preached from the text “ Ho hath triumphed gloriously.” The Preacher stated that these words in a very fitting manner described the life and work of the late Mr Ready, who was the founder and for nine years the superintendent of the Central Mission. Few people were called upon to contend against such great odds as he. His life was an outstanding example of what could be accomplished by a strong faith in God, a daring attitude towards life, and invincible spirit. He was born for a contest, and though the handicap was very much against him, yet he triumphed gloriously. For several years he was a homeless waif in the streets of London Eventually he was rescued and sent to George Mueller’s orphanage at Bristol. Later ho entered the ministry of tho Bible Christian Church in England. In 18S7 he game out to Now Zealand, and after laboring for three years in Canterbury he was appointed by tho conference to open up work in Dunedin. It was a formidable task for a young man not quite thirty years of ago. 110 commenced his'work by addressing crowded gatherings in the Octagon on Saturday evenings. The Oddfellows’ Hall, in Rattray street, was engaged for Sunday services, but soon it was too small, and the mission was transferred to tho King’s Theatre in Dowling street. In a little over three years from the inauguration of the mission the Garrison Hall was engaged, with seating accommodation for 2,000. This hall for several years was filled nearly every Sunday night. Mr Ready was a power to be reckoned with in every moral and social reform. “He fell to rise, was baffled to light better.” His life stood as a challenge to the youth of to-day who was tempted to think that such an ideal was beyond bis reach. On leaving Dunedin Mr Ready occupied some of tho important circuits of Methodism. In 1912 the Methodists honored him by electing him president of conference. In the days of tho war, though his three sons had joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, one of whom paid the supreme sacrifice, he could not'rest until he had secured au appointment as chaplain on a hospital ship. Since Iris retirement from tho active ministry eighteen months ago, he had been busily engaged in relieving other ministers, conducting evangelistic missions, and raising funds for various objects. He died in harness, bur the Central Mission, with tho Octagon Hail for tho centre of its activities, was a standing monument to his memory. Mrs W. R. Don, who was closely associated with Mr Ready during ids Dunedin ministry, paid a glowing tribute to tho effectiveness of his service to the moral and social life of the city. She brought before tho congregation many memories of his graciousness and his goodness; his fearlessness and Ins triumph. The mayor occupied a scat on the platform during the service. Mr John Leech sang ‘ Thou Art Passing Hence, My Brother.’ Miss Elspeth Denholm rendered ‘The Lord Is My Shepherd,’ and tho choir sang ‘ The Homeland.’ Mr Charles A. Martin officiated at the organ, and played Chopin’s ‘Funeral March ’ and the ‘ Dead March ’ in ‘ Saul.’