PRESENTATION TO REV. W. MORLEY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1605, 12 April 1879, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO REV. W. MORLEY.

On Thursday afternoon Messrs J. Ballantyne and Harris, stewards of the Durham st-eet Wesleyan Circuit, waited upon the Rev. W. Morley at his residence, for the purpose of "presenting him with a testimonial previous to his departure for Auckland. Mr Ballantyne said they came to represent not only the office-bearers, but the members of the congregation generally, all of whom regretted their pastor’s departure. Ho spoke in high tonus of Mr Morley’s pulpit labors, his attention to the interests ot the Sunday school, and his diligence in pastoral work. As a friend the families of the congregation had become exceedingly attached to him, and as a representative of the Wesleyan Church on public questions ho had had their confidence and won their admiration. He desired, also, to say that Mrs Morley was very highly esteemed by them, and would be remembered with affection. They all regretted that by the law of the Church Mr Morley was now removed from them, but hoped after an interval they would again have the pleasure of welcoming him as their minister. He concluded by presenting to Mr Morley a very handsome album and a purse of sovereigns. Attached to the album is a massive silver plate, having the following inscription “ Presented to the Rev. Wm. M Hoy by friends of the Christchurch First Circuit, together with one hundred and forty Sovereigns, on the occasion of his leaving for Auckland. April, iB7D. ,i Mr Harris said he was a man of few words, but desired very heartily to endorse all that his colleague had stated in appreciation of Mr Morley’s labours. In so doing he was the mouthpiece of many. Mr Morley briefly replied, He said he wanted words to express his sensfe of the great kindness shown in the very handsome and valuable gifts they had just presented. To the stewards personally his best thanks were due, and he wished through them also to make known to the subscribers and congregation generally, the gratitude with which he received those tokens of their generosity. He did not feel himself worthy of all the kind remarks that had been made concerning his efforts, but could say that he had tried to do his duty. His intercourse with the office bearers of the church and the people generally had been of the n.ost pleamrable kind. Ho and his family parted from them with regret, and if in the order of Providence itwere his lot to labour in Canterbury again, he should feel that there were many warm hearts to receive him. Many friendships had been formed which would be a joy to him in all his future course, and though there has not been so largo an increase to the church as be desired, he felt sure that the work of consolidation had been going on ( and hoped his successor would have the reaper’s joy. Mr Morley also referred to the position the Wesleyan church held in the city and its suburbs, and urged the necessity in view of its rapid growth for further effort in the way of extension. Ho concluded by again thanking the stewards for their kindness through the whole of his ministerial term. We understand Mr Morley procaed North by the Hawea to-morrow.