VALEDICTORY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 2, 5 April 1916, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

THE METHODISTS’ FAREWELL TO THEIR MINISTERS, 1 There was a large attendance of well-.' wishers at the Methodist School-room, Regan Street, last evening, to bid farewell to the Rev. A. Header, who is leaving for Thoi-ndon and the Rev. A. 0. Harris, who proceeds to Eltham. Mr J. Masters presided. i Tlio Chairman said they had come to the parting of the ways of their two ministers and their wives. He was sorry they were losing their ministers. Mi; Reader had been in the circuit for about four years, and during that time he had been in close touch with him. He had spent hours with Mr Header discussing matters in connection with the church. They had not always agreed, but when they did not agree they differed. Mr Header bad always carried out his duties fearlessly and fair. They did not got the number of young men to attend church as they should do. The young men would not come to the church ; so they should go to them. The time had come when they should go amongst the young men. During me time .nr Header had been in, Stratford,, union had come about between the two churches. A good deal of work was necessary and a good deal of tact was necessary. Mr Header was responsible in no small degree for bringing about that union. They had also to remove the church to the new site, and Mr Header hud also been responsible for a great deal of the work. He had only known ,Mr Harris for about two" years. Mr Harris had made a host of friends amongst the people of his circuit. He wished the two departing gentlemen God speed and success in their now sphere of life.

LOCAL PREACHERS. Mr F. White said, on behalf of the local preachers, he regretted the time had come for the parting. They had had the services for four years of the best pulpit minister that the church in Stratford had seen. Owing to the union they had had the services of two ministers. Mr Harris had done excellent work and made a great number of friends in the northern portion of the circuit. In conclusion,-he wished the guests God speed. and success. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. Mr E. G. Foster, for the Sunday School, said the ministers . should he in contact with the children of the Sunday school. There was a motion on the books that the minister should visit the school once a quarter. He wished Mr and Mrs Reader and family and Mr and Mrs Harris happiness in their future lifp. MINISTERS’ ASSOCIATION. The Rev. J. Pattison, Ministers’ Association, said he had known Mr Reader for three years and three months, that gentleman having been present when he was welcomed to Stratford by the Presbyterians. In one respect, tiie Methodist Church had the advantage over his church, for no minister was appointed for a long period. Ho had not known Mr Harris long, but from what he had seen he knew he was liked by the people in the circuit. He wished the guests success in their new circuits. PRESENTATIONS. The Chairman presented Mr Reader and Mr Harris with a purse ot sovereigns each. In reply, Mr Reader said he appreciated what had been said by the speak-

ers of his work in the circuit. He. expressed his appreciation of the chairman’s work in connection with the, church. He was sorry that the time for parting had arrived, and he wished to express bis appreciation of the work of Mr Masters (the senior circuit steward) and Mr Birkett (Junior circuit steward). He expressed his appreci-1 at]on of the work of the choir. Altei the union they had been lucky in hav-, ing the services of Mr Lawn as choir-! master. The Ladies’ Guild had work-) ed nohlv and well ior the welfare the church. They had long since paidi off the amount owing on the church when he arrived. He referred to the work of the church and its members in connection with the war. In conclusion, he thanked those present for their I work in all matters in connection with the church. The Rev. Mr Harris briefly thanked the speakers for their kind remarks' and the wishes for success in his now sphere of life. He wished Mr Pattison God speed and every blessing in lute new sphere. He trusted that the ministers who succeeded them would he as happy as they had been. i THE EVENING’S MUSIC.

During the evening musical items were contributed by the orchestra (selection), choir (glee), Mr Bolton (recitation), Mrs Hancock (song), Mrs Bennett .(song), Messrs Lester Bros, (instrumental duet), Miss Moon (song), Mr Halo (song), Mr Hanford (recitation), and Mr Lawn (cornet solo). A very enjoyable evening was brought to a conclusion with an excellent supper, which was handed round by the ladies.