BAPTIST CHURCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 97, 26 April 1877, Page 2

BAPTIST CHURCH.

The holding capacities of the schoolroom adjoining the Baptist Church were put to a severe test yesterday afternoon, when a large number of person sat down to a capital tea f/ V ? n r>° n i^ e occas ' on 0 * « e departure of the Kev D. Dolamore for his new scene of labor at Cavershain, near Dunedin. The customary public meeting followed in the church, when

the chair was occupied by H. C. Daniell, Esq., who regretted the unavoidable absence from various causes of several gentlemen who oherwise would have beeu present, aoongst others being the pastors of the Wesleyan and Congregational Churches, both of whom, we regret to learn, are slightly indisposed. A telegram from Mr Hodder, sympathising with the object of the meeting aud regretting his inability to attend on account of illness, was read. Mr Price, as the representative of the Wesleyan denotniuatiou, expressed his regret at tbe departure of Mr Dolamore, and assured him that the best wist es of the Methodist body would accompany him for his future success, health, and haopiness. Until a week or two ago he had thought the reverend gentleman was a fixture in Nelson, but he was sorry to find that he was mistaken. Mr Webley was the next speaker, and then Mr Wagg bore testimony to the diligence and faithfulness displayed by Mr Dolaniore in the discharge of his onerous duties. The Rev A. Hamilton dwelt at some length on the state of the Church of Christ in the present day, and its probable success in the future. The Rev D. Dolamore next addressed the meeting. He regretted having to sever his connection with a place with which he had been identified for a lengthened period, during which time he had, especially during his residence in the country districts, made a large number of friends, many of whom he had known for more than a quarter of a century, and who probably he would not have another opportunity of seeing on earth. He referred to the progress the church here had made during the last five years, and trusted that that progress would be maintained and that it would be in no way impaired by his removal — a step which, all things considered, he thought he was acting rightly in taking. After referring to several other matters, he announced his intention of preaching a farewell sermon to the Bridgestreet congregation on Sunday evening, and of leaving for Otago on the following day. At intervals during the evening, the Baptist choir, assisted by one or two friends, sang in a commendable manner several hymns, and deserved— though through some inadvertence, we imagine, they did not publicly receive — the thanks of the audience. After the benediction had been pronounced, the meeting terminated.