Shannon Notes

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 October 1915, Page 2

Shannon Notes

(By our -Resident Be-presentative)

BEV. J. A. McKENZIE'S FAREWELL.

'iiie congregation ol the i'resbyterian Church gathered in a gooctly number on Monday evening to say good-bye to the Bev J. A, Mclvenzie, who for many yeans lias been their faithful pastor.

Mr McKenzie has been appointed Presbyterian chaplain to the New Zealand Bille Brigade. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the I.ooth psalm, "All people that on earth do dwell." Mr Wood, who has taken charge of the Church, explained the purposes of the gathering and expressed tlie pleasure tii'at they all lelt at having the opportunity to .say good-bye to one who had done ko much for til-jit' spiritual good, iSongs were sung by Misses Laurvig, f&ynd, «Straiton and also the chil'':ui oi ilie Sunday School. A hearty vote, ol fiian..o was passed Lo the ladies and chihlren who helped with the musical program.

Mr E. Law, alter arKing the Kev. J. A. .UcKeiizio u> '"'tali in. ,, presented liini with a small token of tTio esteem i.i' iii.s Shannon and Tokoiuarn friends. 'I ho presentation took the form ol a porliL'i compass. Mi Clayton, on uehali oi the ehil--»ircn in Hie .Sunday iSciiool, presented tli<_ rev. genileman with a .soldier's writjiig onilit and a handkerchief. Mv Me Jvensiio'very feelingly acknouled j.-,od tlio giils and then addressed Liie c-uildroii. He assured them that the .voldiers in camp remembered the children and missed their company. Speaking to the adults he quoted a letter i torn a young soldier who expressed his appreciation <>t the Presbyterian fcor- \ ;ce.s wliich Mr McKenzie. had conducted. This, Mr CUcKenzie «aid, wan t-'.oocl payment for linn. Ho was suro that the institute had done much lor him in reminding them of Lome aud I'-tter inlliionoos. Even the officoiYi v. lio were not religions recognised that the chaplains were doing good work. They had a Bible class ol 50 members ; i\t\ celebrations of holy coniiinunion wore fre(|iß'iit. sometinies in the early r oining. The officers and the Metlio<:i.st (.'luiplain Lad assisted in tlmsc services. The j'cligion of tlio soldier was s metliing very deep; but there was i noli that shocked tiione who had been l>.'ought up in Christian lioincs in the(ondiiet of wiiiio others; yet these were .s ill good comrades in their toleration c-i their religious brethren. He had been often applied to ior assistance iu \■■irioiis nays, and tlie I'resliyterinn his itnte had done much to supply the I'ttlo wants of the soldiers in providing ai'conunodaion for writing Jotters, giving entertainments, .etc. The chaplains worked harmoniously together. T!ie Anglican chaplain had seen active P'Tvice at Alexandria and elsewhere and I ad asked ."Wi MeKenzie to take praycrs for liini. Tlie rov. gentleman concluded by requesting the prayers of (he congregation for himself and all tlmse who T,verh working with liim ior i'k , good of tlio soldiws. After n slioi't farewell .speech by Mi* N\'ood rrfrosliinents wore liandod round ;)'ul the mooting terminated witli the honorlictioii.