FAREWELL & PRESENTATION.

Shannon News, 13 April 1928, Page 4

FAREWELL & PRESENTATION.

rev. & mrs mcarthur & family

STRIKING TESTIMONIES TO MINISTER'C SERVICES.

The Century Hall was crowded on Tuesday, when the congregation of the Levih Methodist Church and a representative attendance of the general public were present to bid farewell to the Rev. J. D. McArthur, minister of i the circuit for the past four years, iwho left to-day to take charge of the Cuba Street Church in Palmerston N. The opportunity was also taken to say good-bye to Mrs McArthur, who has made many friends in Levin, and to the Misses Margaret and Airdre Mc;Arthur, who have been popular and Students at the local District High School. Mr.F. H. Hudson, the minister’s steward, presided, and the proceedings were opened with the singing of the hymn “Onward, Christian Soldiers,” followed by the Lord’s Prayer. The chairman announced that apologies for absence had been received from the Rev. R. Crocket, Mrs Alfred Astridge, Messrs D. S. Mackenzie, B. Magee, A. W. Hutchings, and Len. Astridge. He then extended a hearty welcome to all present, and said he felt sure they had all come together with a sincere desire to participate in a fitting farewell to Mr and Mrs McArthur.

TRIBUTES FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS. Captain Prowse, of the Salvation Army, who was the first invited to speak, said he had been to a great many farewell gatherings, but on the present occasion he was not very well acquainted with the departing guests, owing to his own recent arrival in Levin. However, it was a pleasure to him to hear the good reports of the work done by Mr McArthur both Avithin the church and among the people of Levin, and to note the progress that had been made in the church under his ministry! On behalf of the Salvation Army he wished Mr McArthur godspeed, and hoped that he would be the means of bringing many men and women to the feet of God. He hoped that both Mr and Mrs McArthur would have the Lord’s blessing in all their work. Rev. J. C. Davies, Vicar of St. Mary's, said he felt very sorry that Mr McArthur’s period of service had come to an end in Levin. He could look back to very pleasant associations with Mr McArthur. In any movements in which they had had to work together it had always been a pleasure to work with him. Mr McArthur had shown that he was not a man who always wanted his own way, but that he could see things from other people’s points of view. Mr Davies made reference to the excellent service rendered by Mr McArthur to the community at large, and expressed the hope that God’s blessing . would rest abundantly on Mr and Mrs McArthur in their new sphere of activity. APPRECIATED SERMONS. Mr P. W. Goldsmith, secretary to the Trustees, remarked that, although this was a farewell gathering, there was to be no “sadness of farewell.” All were, of course, very sorry that Mr McArthur was leaving, but this feeling was modified by the knowledge that his departure was inevitably and that all things worked together for good. Mr Goldsmith stressed the point that their late minister was going to a place where he would have opportunities for greater usefulness. The speaker had to thank him for several series of sermons whieh Mr McArthur had preached, which had been edifying and instructive. The discourses on the Ser- . mon on the Mount and the Prodigal Son were such as he (Mr Goldsmith) would not soon forget. He wished Miami Mrs McArthur and their turn young daughters every blessing in their new field of action. Mr W. G. Adkin, who remarked that it was only about once in four years that he faced a Levin audience, further stated that he had been asked to speak on behalf of the congregation and as an officer of the church. Mr McArthur was better known after four years’ residence in Levin than some people after 30 years. Mr Adkin laid emphasis on the services of Mr McArthur as chairman of the school committee, which had earned very high approbation and had secured for him from the Headmaster the epithet of the “educational mayor of Levin.’’ What the speaker could pot help referring to in a farewell speech was the fact that Mr McArthur had made himself and his car the servants of all. Mr McArthur’s future was assured, and he would be well supported by the good influence of Mrs McArthur. Recalling their minister’s first sermon in Levin, the speaker stated that those who heard it went away with the smile of happiness on their faces. The four series of sermons on select subjects of scriptural study had been on the best, of lines, and if the hearers did not know more of the New Testament in consequence, it was not the preacher’s fault. There was some consolation in the fact that Mr McArthur ivas going to Palmerston, as he would bo only 30 miles away, and his numerous Levin friends would always be'pleased to see him, and to see Mrs McArthur and the girls. Mr T. F. Gibson, congregational steward, said he felt it an honour to take part in this function. On behalf •of the circuit stewards he wished to thank Mr McArthur for having given the last Sunday’s services, at the end # of his term, at the request of the stewards. Mr McArthur’s family would be missed greatly, Mrs’ McArthur having been a great hostess. In going to Palmerston they would be leaving many friends behind. The people in the circuit took it as a compliment that Mr McArthur had been chosen for Palmerston. The speaker had realised twelve months ago, at the Auckland Conference, that Levin could not hope to retain Mr McArthur much longer. Their loss would be Palmerston's gain, and the congregation would expect to see Mr and Mrs McArthur among them

again occasionally . Mr Gibson paid a tribute to Mr McArthur for his help in sustaining the .week-night service. He added that Mr McArthur’s ministry was not entirely finished in Levin, but merely cut short for the sake of greater serviee ahead. The congregation wished him and his family the greatest blessing in their new home.

EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLIC INTERESTS.

Mr F. G. Eoe, acting chairman of the School Committee, said that he did not come into contact with Mr McArthur until the latter became chairman, when he proved very efficient and capable in that office. He had been a very busy man and had had to make many sacrifices, being practically at the beck and call of the school, which was the largest in the Wellington province. Mrs McArthur had been a loyal helpmate ■to her husband in regard to the demands made on his time. The commit-

tee would miss Mr McArthur very much, and the pupils of the school would always look up to him. The speaker extended the very best wishes (to Mr and Mrs McArthur for happiness in their new place of residence. Mr W. G. Bishop, president of the Levin branch of the W.E.A., paid a .high compliment to Mr McArthur’s help to that institution, of which he was tutor for two years in succession, during which period he did. much to break down certain antagonisms which existed towards the organisation. The speaker thanked the stewards for hav-

ing given him the opportunity to express gratitude to Mr McArthur for the jwork he had done for the Association. ' Mr 0. S. Keedwell, acting-president of the Chamber of Commerce, said he had been pleased to receive an invitation to what was to be a fitting sendoff to Mr McArthur. He had felt that it was only right that the several organisations with which Mr McArthur had been identified should acknowledge what he had done for them. Mr Keedwell referred to Mr McArthur’s addresses to the W.E.A. and the Chamber of Commerce Lunch Club, and said that that gentleman’s willingness to assist in the life of the community had been a very pleasing feature in one who was so well qualified to render those services. The speaker expressed the appreciation of the Chamber of Comerce for the good work which Mr McArthur had done. His ability could not remain always at the disposal of one of the smaller centres such as Levin, but would find greater scope in Palmerston North, where, the speaker hoped, the greatest happiness awaited him and Mrs McArthur and family. SERVICE WITH SINCERITY.

The chairman said that, as the minister’s steward, he felt that he was losing a friend and a minister of whom he had become very proud. He would sum up the meaning of Mr McArthur’s career in Levin as “sincere service”; all would acknowledge his sincerity, which had endeared him to the congregation and to the community at large. Mr Hudson also expressed appreciation of the part taken by Mrs McArthur in her husband’s work, it being largely due to the way she had cared for lmn that he had been able to render such fine service to Levin. Mr McArthur had benefited the Sunday School as superintendent, and Mrs McArthur had rendered excellent help as a teacher. In leaving Levin Mr McArthur would be able to feel that he was leaving the circuit in a very healthy condition, and he need have no regrets that he had not done his best, having rendered very good service both in spiritual matters and in civic life. PRESENTATION. On behalf of the young people and their elders, the chairman presented Mr McArthur with a filled wallet, and extended to him their very best wishes for his future wherever he might be. The chairman also handed gifts to Mrs McArthur and Misses Margaret and Airdre McArthur. THE MINISTER'S ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

lii responding, Mr McArthur said he was in agreement entirely with all that had been said about Mrs McArthur’s good qualities. She had never complained on account of many nights of solitude or of frequent demands on her hospitality. A good deal of what he had tried to do he could not have attempted had he not been sure that he had the hfearty support of Mrs McArthur. He felt that the various speakers had expressed themselves out of the kindness of their hearts, and that they had described him as he ought to be and not as he was. Mr McArthur mentioned in connection with his transfer that' he had been approached from Dunedin, Oamaru, Wellington and Palmerston North, in the first place. He had consulted Mr Hudson, who most generously refrained from extending an invitation to remain, which, had it come, the speaker would have accepted without hesitation. He had felt that his work was not finished in Levin, and he declined all four invitations, but three of them were renewed. After a stressful twen-ty-four hours he decided that indications pointed to the wisdom of accepting the call to Palmerston. For quite a long time culminating in that twen-ty-four hours he had not been at all happy about the matter, but as soon as he had made the decision his anxiety ceased. The various speakers had emphasised the credits in his ledger, but he knew that there were debits. He felt humbled because he had not been anything like what the ■ speakers had represented him to be. If there 'was any part of his work that gave him greater pleasure than another, it was that of rendering some kindness where he knew that there would be no recompense. Through the generosity of a friend he had been able to render some help to those in need, being enabled to augment what he could spare for that purpose. That friend desired to remain anonymous, and the speaker wished to render his tribute to him. In this way he had been able to do a little more good than would have been possible otherwise. • Continuing, Mr McArthur said he had regarded the recurring Sundays as

-r~

\ affording wonderful opportunities of i service. He had, never yet become (used to render any public service with any degree of freedom; he had always been afraid that he could not rise-to ■the opporunity presented to him; but, whether his service was ill or good, he I had had the satisfaction of giving the best he had at the time. Some; ' preachers, on finding themselves before 1 a handful of people, would put their j sermons away for larger audiences, iand substitute a brief talk; but he had. I never made this his practice. (Apjplause). If a dozen people came out|on a wet night, he recognised that they iwere the best he could have.- Even; ion tl\o most stormy nights, the Levin I congregations had exceeded- his. most J sanguine expectations. .The week- | night meetings had not been very, | large numerically, but he had given them the best of which lie had'been, (capable. Time after time he- had- tried" ito lead the people right to the Holy I City. He had failed very frequently; ito 'do this, nob because they were uniwilling to come with him, but because(he did not quite know how to lead |them nroperly; but if he had led them •to some hill-top from which they could ■get a glimpse of the Holy City, he felt (that lie had been recompensed. He" Icould not speak glibly of the deep fthings—it was altogether foreign to l !his nature and make-up—but if he had ’been the means of giving any strength |to those in affliction he was thankful, fit was one of his regrets that he had jso often failed to.heip when he could (best have given the help needed. He jtrusted that his Levin congregation would- remember him from time 1 to time(out of their charity towards him, sothat he might not fail in relation to the congregation to which he was going to minister. He had formed certain friendships in xiovin; he was not going to name anyone, but he counted it an honour to have been esteemed the friend of certain people. Mrs McArthur had formed attachments 1 to certain people in Levin also, and he felt sure that she, too, regarded it as a privilege to have their friendship. The opportunity that would be given to Mrs McArthur and himself to renew (these friendships through their close proximity to Levin was one which they would embrace as often as they could. He hoped that the congregation would ask him to come and preach in Levin occasionally; he would take it hs a compliment.

| Speaking with regard to his successor, the Rev. Mr Beckett, Mr McArthur said there was no doubt that the officers of the church would support him, and he felt sure that in course of time they would become proud of' his leadership. Mr Beckett was a man of experience, and the work he ; could*-cto ; was work that would; delight:; the; congregation. They had honoured , him with a unanimous, invitation from the quarterly meeting, and that meant that they were going to back him with th' fullest power they possessed. : “As to the kind wishes expressed to Us all,” said Mr McArthur, in conclusion, “we- thank you most cordially; It is just like you to say what you Have saia, and we shall remember it during the tussles in the work in front of us, and it will serve as an encouragement to us to carry on when the tiempfation is to let go. Many install * cos of kindness have come under my notice in this town —instances of people helping one another with no reporter alongside to publish it —and I have felt ashamed, in the position I occupy, that 1 have not done more in that- line. There is a wonderful lot of good people about, and a fine standard of service in the hearts of the people which is not always blazoned from the housetops, and I think that the same 1 kind of thing will be discoverable in Palmerston North. Thank you for all the kindness that has been shown and said to us during our stay here, and may God’s blessing rest on you in the days to come. ”

Loud and long-continued applause followed the minister’s remarks, and in the social interval during which re* freshmen ts were served he was the. recipient of many individual expressions' of goodwill, which were extended with equal felicity to Mrs McArthur and their two daughters. , The chairman announced that the induction of the Kev. Mr Beckett would take place at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, the service being conducted by the Ebv. Mr Patchett, chairman • of the Wellington district. During the evening songs were rendered by- Miss Chalk and Mr A. Mottershead, and were greatly enjoyed.The accompaniments were sympathetically played by Miss Elsie Hutton.