Farewell Services

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 107, 8 March 1892, Page 2

Farewell Services

The Rev. W. Harris, Primitive Methodist minister, who has been the superintendent of the Manawatu circuit for the past four years, was appointed to the Waimate district by the last Conference, and in order to commemorate his departure from Feilding, a series of fare well services have been held, which were marked by | the cordial and unanimous sympathies of j all the residents in the various districts | under the charge of Mr Harris. Last I Sunday morning Mrs Harris occupied the pulpit in the Feilding church, and gave an appropriate address. In the evening the Bey. W. Harris, preached, and took his text from 13th Corinthians, 14th verse: " The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all, amen." From this text an excellent sermon was delivered, containing counsel and exhortation which will be long remenbered by the congregation. At the conclusion of the service a "Love Feast" was held, and a very enjoyable time was spent in this manner. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity, many being unable to gain admission. Yesterday afternoon the circuit quarterly meeting was held in the Manse, when very encouraging reports were given of the state of church matters in the various districts. At six o'clock a soiree took place in the church. The tables were very attractively laid out, being decorated with vases of flowers in addition to a choice array of edibles. They were presided over by the following ladies, who were also donors of the comestibles, viz., Mesdaines S. J. and J. C. Thompson, Adams and Fidler, Gould and B. Trevena ; three other tables were provided by the ladies of the congregation combined. Fully 300 people sat down to tea. The after meeting was held in the Salvation Army Barracks, which was crowded to its utmost limit. Mr B. Linton, of Halcombe, presided, and the following gentlemen gave addresses : — Messrs G. Adams, Stokes (Marton), J. C. Thompson, J. H. Murray, Broadbent, A. Linton and Bey. Mr Birks. Captain Coombes also gave an earnest address. The speakers all testified to the worth of their pastor, . who was about to leave them, giving, instances of personal good received from, .his exhortations and advice, and they wished him God speed in his fresh sphere of labor. Mr A. Linton stated that he had never spoken on a public platform until induced to do so by their pastor. Mr Stokes, a recent arrival from Canterbury, referred to a previous acquaintance with Mr Harris in the South Island. The following presentations were made in the course of the evening: To Mra Harris — a sealskin bag, a cake tray and five o'clock tea service, by the friends in Feilding, Colyton, and Awahuri, as a mark of respect for those qualities possessed by her, which fitted her so well to be the wife of a minister; to Miss Harris— a large album and two flower vases by the teachers and friends of the Sunday school ; to Mr Harris, a purse of sovereigns from friends at Beaconsfield. Mr Harris feelingly responded on behalf of the recipients of these tokens of esteem, and said that the past four years had been the happiest period of his life during his work for the Master. There were a large number of people here whom he parted from with regret, and he would long remember the many kindnesses shown ' to himself and his family by the friends in the Manawatu station. The circuit was in a flourishing condition ; the gross receipts for the last four years had bees .61030, besides this there had been improvements made in the churches, and a» a sum of £1500 for Sunday school purposes, and the meeting held in the afternoon showed that the last days were their best days. In conclusion ha asked the congregation to join in singing " What a meeting that will be when we meet around the throne," which they did most heartily. The choir, assisted by friends from other choirs, sang several selections from the Christian Choir, the audience testifying then- appreciation of the music by frequent applause. Votes of thanks to the ladies who provided the tea, the choir, the chairman, and Captain Coombes for the use of the Barracks, brought this enthusiastic and long-to-be-remembered meeting to a close.