PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1034, 23 April 1912, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE NEW MINISTER.

The Induction or the Rev Jas. M. Thomson, m.a., to the Foxon ' sbyterian charge will take place in the local Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m. to-morrow. The Rev McKenzie wifi preside and induct, the Rev D. Calder, b.a., of Aramoho, will preach, Rev Mr Randerson, m.a., of Levin, will address the minister, and the Rev P. B. Fraser, m.a., Superintendent of Home Missions, will address the congregation.

This is the second occasion in the history of the Foxton Presbyterian Church that such a cere--1 mony has lakeu place, though Presbyterianism in the district dates back to the forties, what time the late Rev James Duncan commenced his mission among the Maoris. In those days Mr Duncan’s parish extended far south of Foxton, and to Wanganui on the north. Settlement increasing along the Coast, other ministers were appointed to relieve Mr Duncan, until at last his sphere of labour was centred in this district, and for many years the ouly place of worship iu Foxtou was the Presbyterian Church. Owing to old age, the Rev Jas. Duncan practically retired from the active ministry, aud after a lapse of a considerable period, Mr Geo. K. Aitken was appointed to the field, which he occupied with conspicuous success, the Assembly recognising his work by raising him to the full status of the ministry, the charge being made at the same time a fully sanctioned one. Mr Aitken was the first minister ordained and inducted iuto the charge. His translation to Methven left a vacancy which lasted for five months, aud is now being filled by tbe induction of the Rev James M. Thomson, m.a., who has accepted tbe unanimous call sent to him by the congregation. A few personal facts respecting the Rev Mr Thomson will be of interest. Mr Thomson is a New Zealander, aud brother of Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M. His parents arrived in the Dominion in 1866. His father, for many years, was a schoolmaster under the Wanganui Education Board. His primary education, uuder his father, culminated in his taking tbe first place for that year in the list of senior scholarship candidates. Four years were spent at the Wellington College, where, in additiou to further scholarship honours, he auuexed the championship cup at the athletic sports aud the Lady Prendergast Half-mile Challenge Cup. He was also captain for two years of the college football team, and was one of the prime movers of the annual iuter-college tournaments which are now such a feature of secondary school life. Mr Thomson entered the Otago University in 1891, and graduated M.A. with honours in mental and moral philosophy, in which subject he gained the senior University scholarship for the year. He took his divinity course at the Hall, in Duuediu, and had the distinguished honour of occupying St. Paul’s pulpit, Christchurch, during the temporary absence, on a trip to the Old Country, of the late Rev Dr Elmslie. He was ordaiued and inducted to the charge at Lincoln iu 1901, where he laboured for four years, and was then translated to Stratford seven years ago. By the way, Mr Thomson is the author of an interesting boys’ book entitled, ‘‘The Bush Boys of New Zealand.”

Mr Thomson arrived last night, and will be followed by his wife and two children to-day.

A welcome social will be tendered to the new minister in the Masonic Hall to-morrow night.