MEMORIAL SERVICE.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 112, 23 December 1918, Page 3

MEMORIAL SERVICE.

To the Late SVlr» G. W. Brays haw. There was a very large congre" gation at the Morrinsville Methodist church on Sunday when a memorial service to the late Mr G. W. Brayshavv was held. Brethren of the Morrinsville Masonic lodge were present in large numbers. The Rev. T. R. B. Woolloxall took as his texts “If thou wouldest believe thou shouldest see the glory of God.” John XI, 40, and “And he said, ‘Lord I believe,’ and he worshipped Him.” John IX, 33. The preacher said : There are no set forms of conversion. “ God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform.” In the first text we have an illustration of one who professed faith in the power of Jesus Christ to obtain from God anything that he would ask. Yet when her faith was tested she was not ahle to believe in the possibility of the resurrection of her brother before the judgment day. Her faith was weak. In the second text we have a case in which a man has miraculously received his sight, but who the person was that gave him the power of vision he did not know. When the truth was further revealed, he professed belief in the Son of God and worshipped him. In his case the work wrought upon him had given him the power of seeing things as they were, had filled his heart with a great joy and had revealed the power of God. This gleam he followed till he reached the fuller light'inthe Son of God and he worshipped. George William Brayshaw was born in Christchurch on March 6, 1880. Early in his life his parents removed to Blenheim, Marlborough, where he attended school proving himself a capable student always being at the top of his class. He was compelled to leave school before his education was complete. He attended night classes striding chemistry, electricity and accountancy. On coming to the Waikato he first resided in Hamilton, where he followed the occupation of an insurance agent. During the year 1906 he removed to Morrinsville and here he seems to have come into his own. He took a keen interest in the town’s affairs and had great faith in -the future prosperity of the district. At various times he was a member of the Town board, Chamber of Commerce, of which he was president, Traders’ Association, School Committee, Tennis Club. He was one of the founders of the local Oddfellows’ Lodge and a Past Master of the Free Masons Lodge. He was a member and an official of this church. His connection with the church dates back to the Rev. C. W. Brown’s ministry. On one occasion he met Mr Brown in the street a conversation ensued which showed that Mr Brayshaw had a gleam of the truth. He was urged to follow that gleam. From then his outlook of life changed.. His religious life was not what is called demonstrative, still it was genuine. He was never ashamed of his faith in Jesus Christ, and when necessary would definitely, even publically take his stand. The preacher then told a story of a young man scoffing at Christian" ity in Mr Brayshaw’s presence. He went over to the young fellow and said “I am a Christian,” and with a few words silenced the young fellow. As an official of the church he gained the utmost confidence of all who worked with him. He refused to become the Bible Class leader for fear he could not live up to the Christ ideal he would like to present to the young people. In his last moments, after partaking of the sacrament he prayed for the town’s future, the union of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and his loved ones. In conclusion the preacher appealed to all present to take Mr Brayshaw’s ideal man —Jesus Christ — as their ideal, for Jesus Christ is God’s revelation of true manhood. After the sermon Mr Brayshaw’s favorite hymn, “Lead Kindly Light ” was sung by the congregation, followed by the organist playing the “ Dead March.”