PRESENTATION TO REV. MR. ROWE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1694, 3 April 1917, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO REV. MR. ROWE.

BY (SHANNON METHODISTS. The Rev. W. Howe conducted his farewell services as minister of the Eoxton Methodist circuit on Sunday last. At the conclusion of the evening service at Shannon, -Mr Gibson, circuit steward, asked the congregation to remain and lake part in a farewell and presentation to their departing minister and -Mrs Howe. Mr Gihson said it was not their wish that Mr Howe was leaving, and they sincerely regretted Ids departure. The congregation knew that Mr Howe had volunteered for service with the tighting forces, hut Conference had said that (he church had readied its irreducible minimum, and refused to allow him to enlist. He had, however, been removed to another district, where the congregation hoped that the same happy relations and co-opera-tion between himself and congregation and the same success would attend his ministry. He called upon Mr Broadhelt, the oldest member of the congregation, to make a presentation to the minister. Mr Broadhelt .-aid he fell unworthy id' the honour. To Mime il may seem strange that a presentation should lie made at such a rime, hut he thought it most titling, and pointed a dear line of demarcation between (lie ordinary .-oeial and card party function. In this time of slre-s too much time was taken up in pleasure and not enough time given to prayer. There was a time when prayer meetings were held after the Sunday services, and one night a week also set apart for this purpose. Braver was much neglected, yet there was never such a need for prayer than a! the present lime. He bolted they would lived the departing minister's appeal in this connection. The people seemed too much given to carelessness and pleasure. He agreed with out great naval leader when ho said that the nation must get to its knees in prayer. He hoped as a result of Air Howe’s ministry that better times were in store 1 for the congregation. They were thankful for his services, and prayed tor his success in his new sphere of labour. He Hum handed two volumes to the minister as a mark of esteem from the congregation. Mrs Carier, on behalf of the Ladies’ Guild, presented -Mrs Howe with a pair of handsome copper vases and tray, as a mark of love and esteem. Mrs Carter referred to the good qualities of Mrs Rowe, and the esteem in which she is held and their prayer was that she would he long spared in the Masters service, and that she and her husband would lie blessed wherever they may go. The Rev. Air Rowe thanked the congregation for the tokens of esteem and the kind words spoken on

behalf of his wife and himself. He had been asked what night would suit for a farewell social, and he had replied that the Shannon people had so manifested their sympathy and hearty co-operation with him that he did not desire any further evidence of their good will. He would not forget their many kindnesses, and he would be pleased to see any of them if they eared to call at .lohrisonville. The congregation then joined in singing “God be with You till We Meet Again,”