DISTINGUISHED VISITOR

Lake County Mail, Issue 46, 21 April 1948, Page 4

DISTINGUISHED VISITOR

Right Rev. J. D. Smith Visits Queenstown

The Right Rev. J. D. Smith, of Auckland, the moderator for the current year of the Presbyterian Church, with Mrs Smith, is following up the synod centennial celebrations with a visit to the parishes of the Central Otago Presbytery. They arrived here from Wanaka on Wednesday, February 7, and at a well-attended meeting in the Mackenzie Hall on Thursday evening the church in Queenstown accorded them a hearty welcome. The Rev. P. Anderson introduced the visitors to the gathered friends, and after the moderator’s address discussion and questions were invited.

Mr H. Davies thanked the moderator for his inspiring address. Thanks were also given by Miss M. Salmond, who passed on a few very inspiring words. Miss M. Hamilton also spoke on behalf of the Women’s Institute, The Rev. Mr Smith commenced his address by explaining the varied functions of the moderatorship. He said that in travelling to and fro he had noticed all too many churches which were greatly lacking in the sense of the “ beauty of the Lord.” There were churches without a baptismal font, the symbol that should be before us to remind us of our entrance into the church and fellowship of God, he said. He referred with great pleasure to the little church at Hawea Flat as beautifully built and appointed. He urged Queenstown to be specially thoughtful in this respect, as it could be such an example to the many visitors from all over the Dominion and even from overseas. He also spoke on the unity