DEATH OF REV. J. G. PATERSON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1831, 11 August 1906, Page 2

DEATH OF REV. J. G. PATERSON.

General regret was expressed in town last evening when the news became known of tho death of the Rev. J. G. Paterson, whioh lock place at his residence, Childers road, at half-past nine. Tho news caused the greater shock to the community on account of the fact that the rev. gentleman had been about town daring the day and had attended the meeting of the Flood Relief Committee, at whioh he appeared to bs in his usual state of health. Qa returning home yesterday, Mr Paterson complained of feeling un--1 well, stating that he had a sharp pain across his chest and felt somewhat over- ’ exerted. He went to bed at 4 o’clock, and I appeared a little better in the early part of i the 6veniDg, but shortly before half-past i nine took a turn for the worse. Mrs PatersoD, who was in the adjoining room, 1 heard a slight moaning, and on prooeed- | ing to tbe bedroom, found her husband in 1 a critical condition. She immediately ' sought assistance, and several members of i the cboir, tbe practice having just terminated, camo to her aid. Medical assistance was summoned, and although Dr. Coker reached tho house a very few minutes afterwards, deceased was beyond the reach of human aid. Dr. Coker attributed death to heart disease. Dr. Cole, who has recently been attending deceased, arrived shortly afterwards, and as he has for some time been acquainted with tho rev. gentleman, and can certify to the cause of death, it will not be necessary to bold an inquest. It is only a few months ago that Mr Paterson tendered his resignation as pastor of St. Andrew's Churob, but at tbe unanimous wish of tbe ooegregation be remained on for another year. Since his arrival in Gisborne Mr Paterson has been a very hard wotker, and the result of his labors here have made an impression suoh as few men could have in the years of his ministry. He was an ardent prohibitionist, and both in the ohureh and outside fought for the cause of no license. The news of his death was received at the meeting of the League last evening, and needless to say caused a great shock to members. Out of respect to his memory the meeting at once adjourned, aud the following resolution was pissed This mooting of the Waiapu No Lioense League hears with the deepest regret aud sorrow of the sudden death of tho Rev. J. G. Pa'crsou, and conveys to hie widow and daughter the assurance of its very deep and sinoere sympathy. It realises that his years of faithful service in this town havo contributed to the highest interests of many of its inhabitants, end will long remain in their grateful remembrance. The League also reooguises that its own work benefited largely by his strenuous advocacy of aud loyalty to the principlrs it embodies,”

llms rather a etrsngo coincidence that in littlg over a year each of the churches in Gisborne has lost its miuistor by death. The Bov. James Gillies Pa'erson was born in 1811, in Forfarshire, Beo(land Ho was cduoated at Aberdeen University and at the Free Churoh Divinity Hall of the same place, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Strathbogie in 1873. Mr Paterson came to Port Chalmers by the ship Auckland in 1874, and was stationed for two years at Waihola. Ho was tneu palled fo Paul’s Churcb, Invercargill, and was its pastor for seven years. During his residence at Invercar-. gill_ Mr Patereon had the satisfaction of seeing large additions rnado in connection with his churcb, and on leaving was presented with an illuminulod address, testifying to the valuo of his work in the dislridt, a new churoh 'capable c f. holdiog about 800 people having been erected during his minhtry. Mr Pa'erson left luvercargill in response to a call to 8' Paul’s Churoh, Napier, where ho was in chaigo for neatly 15 years, during which period the ohuroh was twice enlarged, and the congregation grew very considerably The revh gentleman has been uiationed in grisborne sinoe June, 1838'. Ho was marriedjn 1,87§ to a daughter of the lato Mr G. Joyce, a squatter of fiaistow, yiolorio, and has one daughter, general Bympatbv Will bo felt throughout the district with tho widow and daugh'or jo their sad bereavement.