WELCOME SOCIAL.

Shannon News, 1 May 1928, Page 2

WELCOME SOCIAL.

TO REV., MRS AND MISS BECKETT.

A large and representative gathering of friends and members of the congregation of the Methodist Church assembled at the Century Hall last evening at a welcome social tendered to the Rev. William Beckett, Mrs and Miss Beckett. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames Leslie Adkin and Richard Prouse and .Messrs W. G. Adkin, J. W. Gibson and Ca?t. Prowse. Mr T. F. Gibson, who waa in the chair, extended a welcome on behalf of the gathering to Rev. Beckett and said that they felt sure that in Mr Beckett's coming to this circuit the family would receive the very best welcome that i could be extended to. them. The speaker trusted that Mr and Mrs Beckett and family would spend a very happy and successful life in Levin. • Rev. R. Crocket said that lie was there to represent the. Presbyterian Church and to bring greetings from his congregation, and he had much pleasure in welcoming Mr Beckett and family to this district. Mr Taylor, of Shannon, said that he felt much, honoured to be invited to take part in' the welcoming to Mr Beckett. ■ He had very much pleasure, on behalf of the people of Shannon, in extending a hearty welcome to Mr Beckett on his coming to this district, and trusted that Mr Beckett's work iu Levin would receive the riches* blessing. Mr Taylor also spoke of the great work done by the Methodists of New Zealand.

Rev. J. C. Davies, on behalf of the Church of England, extended to Mr and Mrs Beckett and family a hearty welcome and congratulated the Methodist Church on being fortunate enough to secure the services of Mr Beckett.

On behalf of the Sunday School Mr J. C., Gardner esteemed it an honour and privilege to welcome Mr and Mrs Beckett and family and assured MiBeckett that he would receive the

hearty ' co-operaition of teachers and pupils alike in their great work. ' Mr P. W. Goldsmith, on behalf of the trustees, also spoke words of welcome.

Mr F. H. Hudson on behalf - of the circuit stewafds expressed his sineerest wish that Mr Beckett and family would spend a very happy and successful time while in Levin. He also wished to thank Mr T. F. Gibson for organising the function. Mr Hudson said he would like to express his appreciation of the ministers in general. He had come to the conclusion that it was a very poor town without a minister to guide them, but if they (the people) wanted to help along, tlje cause which the ministers represented, it was not sufficient just to invite a man into the circuit to act as minister; the congregation could do their part both collectively and individually. God had given them some part to play in Christian life, and he asked each one to firmly resolve to play his or her part in assisting Mr Beckett. On behalf of the congregation he extended to Mv and Mrs Beckett and Miss Beckett a very sincere welcome. In replying, Mr Beckett said he took it that the crowd in itself was an expression of good wishes, as well as being backed up by many words of welcome. He was grateful for the words of his brother ministers, and with their co-operation he would endeavour to further the work of God. : He thanked the gathering, one and all, for the many kind words of welcome. During the evening the followingitems were given:—Piano duet: Misses Ilutton and Hudson; song, Mr Mottershead; elocutionary items, Miss M. Aatridge and Mr J. Howard Andrew; song, Mrs T. F. Gibson. The proceedings closed with the Benediction, after which supper, supplied by the ladies, was handed round.