WELCOME TO THE REV. MR AITKEN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3766, 25 May 1907, Page 3

WELCOME TO THE REV. MR AITKEN.

The Rev. Mr Aitken, the recently appointed minister in charge of the Presbyterian Church in this district, has cause to feel proud of the splendid reception accorded him by the Foxton people in the MasotiicHall on Thursday evening last. The hall was filled with people representing all denominations. A capital concert programme was submitted which lent a special attraction to the function. The Rev. I. Jolly, M.A., Moderator of the charge, presided. Apologies for absence were received from the Jtev/'Mr and ! Miss Duncan and the Rev.; Mr Woodward (Anglican) lri : his opening remarks, the Chairman said, as Moderator, he was pleased to give-a cordial welcome" f fir ’the Rev Mr Aitken and to fotimlßy' introduce him to the Foxtdn Congregation. He was pleased fb ' be present as a Presbyto Minister, and to takej&tt fn a union which he’beJiev^^otiM : 6e. of material interest not ohly to the Presbyterians but to thec residenfs generally of this impOftapt'and progressive district. He .had been Moderator of the congregation for gbout a year, and he H§ct done everything. in , "his powej to get a suitable man for FoxtpU, and he believed they had in Mr-Aitken one *,who would be faithful to the highest duties of the ministry of Christ, and to the standards of the Church they, loved. Mf ’Aitken came to them from, Australia with a splendid reputation, and Jfrom what he had seen of him he believed that reputation would 1 be fully maintained in New Zealand. He contended that’they had good reasons for beinig there that evening and taking part in the welcome ceremony. They had the right of priority, for in the old days the Presbyterian Church was not only the first Church established in Foxton, but for ihany years was the only Church. The Rev. Mr Duncan had been the first minister and it had been his privilege to minister to all the various sections of the Christian community in that capacity. Then they had a right to be there as Presbyterians for the Presbyterian Church’s constitution was like that of the political constitution of New Zealand—thoroughly democratic. Not only was it democratic, but also thorughly catholic. Some people seemed to have the idea that the Presbyterian Church was and often'is designated the Scotch Church. While it was true that the Scotch Church was Presbyterian, it was only a very small part of that Church. The Huguenots,"The Moravians, the Swiss and the Dutch Reformed Church, were all, Presbyterian,, and dated right the Reformation. While ini modern times we have the -Presbyterian, Churches of; America, Africa (the Boers were Presbyterians), and Australasia. In doctrine, ajtid; faith these sections of-ATwr Presbyterian Church were identical right down .to the present day. As a catholic church the Presbyterian stood in. the very forefront of church life torday. Then the democracy of the Presbyterian Church was in its recognition of other churches.. Although dating so far back .it-did not claim for itself more than it allowed to others, and recognised the ordination of ministers of other denominations as equal with its own. Its test of. church membership was simple; faith in Christ, and admitted. to its communion the members. of any other denomination who desired to come, without question er hindrance. On these grounds, he said he had a right to be here, and he hoped and prayed that the result of the present settlement of a minister among them would be to greatly increase their interest in the church, and the furtherance of the kingdom God in this district. The Rev J. Patterspn, senior minister of St;. John’s, Wellington, and the Rev; J. Southern (Methodist) also delivered- speeches of Welcome, which we are-reluctantly compelled to hold over. Mr Aitken who, on rising to respond, was greeted with a hearty round Of applause, thanked these who bad been kind enough to come to welcome him, to the speakers who had said so many kind things about him. He hoped his work in the district would be to the strengthening of Christ’s kingdom and the establishment of onV common faith. Those who contributed to the programme were Mesdames RaeHpward, Rodie, Healey, Misses Aitken and Cargill, qnd Messrs Hawkins, Fowler, Cargill' and Hornbiow. The accompaniments W,ere played by Mrs Symons, Miss Jenks, and Messrs Berthold and Qargill. The ladies provided abundance ;Qf refreshinents which Were much appreciated. The Ladies Ouild desire to thank all Who assisted in any way to make the affair a success.