Levin Presbyterian Church

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 March 1916, Page 3

Levin Presbyterian Church

AVELOGMJi TO REV. iiOfTiDEX HARRIS. Perhaps one of the largest, and certainly the most enthusiastic gathering of the kind ever held in the Levin Presbyterian Church, assembled on Wednesday evening to welcome the new minister of the church—Rev. ligwdeu Harris. Kev. J. Oil minings, of lvhandaHcih, who has acted as interim model ator, presided, and led the congregation in devotional exercises. He then outlined the circumstances following upon the resignation ot the previous minister, and leading up to the call presented to, a lid accepted by the Rev. Bowdeii Harris, who for some years had charge at Piiihialua. Levin congregation were fortunate in their cihjoice, and in being settled once more. The minister-elect was then asked the usual (ptes-tious appropriate to such occasions audi declared duly inducted to the pastoral charge ot the church in Levin. Rev. J. Shirer, of Wellington, then addressed the newly-inducted minister conjointly with the congregation on duties oil a minister to his flock. He wraphasifted the strain upon the preachers at the present time and urged the need of their keeping watch upon theniNclvcs and their message to the people. Itev. Staildagc, of Brooklyn, addressed the congregation stressing tho need for loyalty towards the Minister to enable him to carry on his work amongst them successfully. There must Jje loyalty in attendances, in practical sympathy and in prayer. Rev. Shirer then welcomed Mr .Harris to . the church oil behalf ot the Wellington Presbyter, having formerly been associated with the AVairarapa Presbytery. Mr H. E. Keys, welcomed the new minister on behali of the local session o felders, the Sunday school and choir, and hoped the good attendance of the evening would be continued at a,if "future Sunday services. In his experience of sixteen years in connection with the local church there had not been so' long a break without a minister and tho church members were anticipating with great pleasure tho settling of their choice among them. He extended a hearty welcome to both Mr and Mrs Ha iris and hoped their stay I here would be long happy useful and fruitful. Mr YV. Hughes extended a welcome ou behalf of the manager and other workers of the church, notably the Itodies' Guild, and expressed the hope that all would work harmoniously together for the common good of the church generally.

Itov. Bmvden Harris. coming forward to reply, was greeted witli hearty uc-clamia-tion. He expressed Iris keen appreciation of the nature of the welcome extended to Mrs Harris and him.self. He knew the welcome w'as as much for Mrs Harris as himself, in fact he was 110 good without Mrs Harris. R had been a hard matter to tear themselves away from their Pahiatua congregation, but' they hoped to do good work in Levin. He believed that- if the spiritual aspect of the work was faithfully attended to, the temporal matters would without doubt be all right. Ho hoped .members of the congregation wouldi make themselves known to him until he could visit them in their homes and get to know all intimately. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Rev. .T. Cummmgs for his work as interim moderator during the ministerial vacancy. Advantage of the occasion was taken at this stage to make <1 presentation to Mm Nation in recognition of her services as organist for some months. 111 replying with thanks and appreciation, Mrs Nation struck a fine note in expressing a hope that they would not forgot to encourage the willing services of their present organist, Miss Xessie Williamson. Supper, provided !>y the ladies o. the congregation, was then haiuWr round, and a most successful gathering brought to a close over the cup that cheers.