FAREWELL GATHERING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8346, 5 February 1913, Page 3

FAREWELL GATHERING

REV. J. J. NORTH'S DEPARTURE,

The Rev. J. J. North, who has been for eignt- years in cnarge of the Vivian street chuicn, and lias accepted a call to tiio Oxford terrace Baptist Church, Christchurch, was fareweiled congregation last evening. Mr C. Godber presided. The church was crowded. The chairman traced the history or the V ivian street Baptist Church, and showed how it had grown. He said he remembered the time when a small box would hold their j’roperty, but now it was valued at something like £9OOO. Mr North was a man of great character, and when he applied himself he got things done. They were very sorry indeed to lose him, and they all hoped that he would be most successful in his new sphere. - , The Rev. W. H. Hinton said Mr North was a leader, and one wins was tender and comforting to those in trouble. Mr J. G. W. Aitken said that it was with a considerable amount of grief they were saying farewell to Mr North. He shared with the congregation the deep regret that they felt at his departure, because he was doing such excellent work here in getting rid of evils which Wellington should be proud to get rid of. Mr A. Hoby, Rev. Mr Potter, Mrs Kirk, and Mr C. Cathie also paid tributes to Mr North’s services. Mrs Kirk, on behalf of the ladies of the congregation, presented Mrs North with a silver tea service; and Mr Cathie, on behalf of the congregation, handed to Mr North a cheque for a substantial amount. Mr North thanked the congregation for the handsome presents, and also for the great kindness he had received dur.ing his eight years’ ministry in the Baptist Church. When he went there the membership was, only 250, but _it had now increased, to 390. The income had also increased from £BSO to £ISOO per annum. He made reference to some of the evils he had fought during his residence in Wellington, and expressed the great regret he felt at having t<j sever his connection with the church in Wellington.