STRONG WORDS FROM THE PULPIT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3762, 11 April 1907, Page 4

STRONG WORDS FROM THE PULPIT.

There has been trouble amongst the Presbyterian community in Waihi, and the Minister in charge (the Rev. J. T. Patullo) has been giving the congregation a piece of of his mind from the pulpit. Mr Patullo) preached his farewell sermon a week ago, and after referring to his ministerial labours in Waihi, he said : —“ It has been the most interesting scene of my ministerial labours, where I have made many fast friends. Indeed I can well remember how greatly encouraged I was by the cordiality of the welcome you gave me when I stood before you for the hrst time as your minister, and although the pleasant memory of those early days is now darkened by misunderstanding and scandal, and bitterness between myself and a few of my hearers, yet still this place, amid whose hallowed scenes I still linger, and which I shall soon see no more for ever, is enshrined in the inner sanctuary of my heart. It is connected with associations that are imperishable, and it is beyond my power to extinguish them. This has been the birthplace of some of the brightest of my hopes, the scene of some of the most interesting of my labours ; alas! that it should also be the grave where much of my trust in my fellows lies buried. The words I have spoken to you from this place I believe in my heart have been the words of everlasting life, designed to lead you to Him Whom to know is life eternal. Men and brethern, fathers and young children, I leave you with kindly feelings, praying that he who will take ray place may be a man of Good, whom you will look up to and cheer on in his arduous labours for the Master. Only be just, be charitable, be kind, be loving, remembering that God’s best servants are only human and apt to err, and now, amind your present trials and prospects of future glory, may He Who walketh amid the seven golden candlesticks walk and dwell for ever among you. Amen. ’ ’