WELCOME SOCIAL.

Shannon News, 13 May 1927, Page 3

WELCOME SOCIAL.

TO REV. AND MRS WILLIAMSON.

A welcome, and social was tendered to the Rev. Mr and Mrs Williamson in the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday evening, there being a fair attendance of members and friends present. The Moderator, Rev. Mr Bredin, from Palmerston North, presided. Rev. Mr Bredin, in welcoming Mr and Mrs Williamson, said he could assure those present that the Shannon Presbyterian Church had in Mr Williamson a sincere and able leader and in Mrs Williamson they had an organiser and capable helper. While speaking of the good fortune of the Shannon people in securing Mr and Mrs Williamson, he said it was not to be forgotten that there was plenty of work for every true Presbyterian in Shannon and he appealed to each and all to rally round their minister and give him their support. He assured them that they would have no regrets. Owing to the absence of the Vicar, Mr F. H. Taylor, on behalf of the Church of England, in extending a very hearty welcome to Mr and Mrs Williamson, spoke of the high and noble qualities of Presbyterians, making reference to some of the able representatives of the church who had come to the fr,ont rank in the realms of arts, science and literature, making brief reference, to the task which lay before the, Christian Church to-day, he was quite satisfied that in a world Aomin ated by materialism arfd love of pleasure and frivolity it became the church’s paramount duty to emphasise the seriousness of life, and the duty of self sacrifice, and to maintain the highest standards in church work and life. It seemed to him that the crying need today in all the churches was a return to primitive Christianity in which faith and prayer were given first place. There never was a time when there was a greater need for unity between the churches ahd for chiistians to stand shoulder to shoulder against the common foe. He was quite certain in Mr Williamson they had a minister who realised to the full these needs, and it gave him the greatest pleasure on behalf of the Anglican Church to wel come Mr and Mrs Williamson to Shannon, where he trusted their work would be richly blessed by God. Mr Wouldes, church secretary, in extending a welcome, pointed out the necessity for providing the minister with a car in order that full justice could be done to the various districts. He also spoke of the dangers oj division? and appealed for the sinking of all dif ferences. Mr A. Stevens also spoke. He appealed for unity and the kindly spirit and fellowship that was necessary to secure the full blessings of Church life. He trusted that it would not be said of Shannon Presbyterians that they had failed in this respect. Rev. Mr Williamson, in replying, said he was very much moved by the kind words of welcome to Mrs Williafnson and himself. He spoke of the true Christian life, the life sustained and nourished by prayer in order that the power of prayer might bo truly felt in every heart. To bring this about, he said, we had to enter into the atmosphere of prayer and the way to obtain this prayerful nature was to be regular in attendance at church in order that the Christ-like spirit should be in-dwelling in every heart. During the evening vocal and musical items were rendered by Miss A. Aim and Messrs Boyle and Cronquest, an excellent supper provided by the ladies bringing a most pleasant evening to a close.