ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 20, 28 April 1916, Page 3

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH

J .VALEDICTORY TO ft&*V; ; J. , , I ••;;'! :« P&TVtS'ON; 1 ~)■.:'::,:. q-iL-.ii.;"\ 1 ' ?'■■■' 'here was a Jarge 'attendance at the •esters' &s!?'%s; bid lait-well to the Rev. and Mrs J. Pattl!SO", w'iio are leaving Sci'atford to re■nide at Remuera Auckland. Dr. 'Steven presided. ■ '■ i' Apologies were read from the Rev. ' C. W. Howard ami Mr R. 11. Robinson. ! During the evening musical and vocal items were contributed by the following:—Miss G. Bredow (piano solo), | Mrs Dixon (song)- Mr Lawn (cornet •h soli)) f '-Misses.^'Sangster 'and Robinson i and Messrs, North and Bolts (song), i: AM Thomson (i)unedin, song), Miss, iPhillips (song), Mrs Patrick (violin , solo), -Miss Sangjg|pTsoTig|^iss !■>!- I,wards (song), jfPP*s i*pn|f. | . The Rev. ailI dress, said lie I iuiiiry of being present that night, on

aecptint of the cordial relationship winch had existofjW>eiAve.en |th<Oreshy.lerian and Mofliocrist Cmirfches". When Jio came to Stratford it was with good reports (if .Mi* Patiison, and flio.se had proved correct. He hoped they would soon .procure a minister to further "he excellent work -Mr Pattison was doing. The .Rev. .1. I*.' Shore (ilawera.K said lie was sorry to have to say "God speed" to M>' .Pattison. In ten years experience in the Presbytery, they never had the slightest though;, of a breeze, lie hoped Mr Pattison's successor woidd have a (similar time. The speaker said he hoped the guest of the evening would he '.as successful in lis new duties as lie had been here. As an old friend of Mr .Pattison's, he impressed ids regret at his departure, and wished him happiness and prosperity in his new sphere ofJifcj* ; ■. .'/ The Rev. K. Cullafo'rd said 'Mr Pattison had been more like a brother than a master to him. and he fid- exceedingly the passing of Mr Pattison from the Taranaki Presbytery. Coining to Taranaki as a stranger he always found that fellowship and'sympathy which he had longed for. One groat sweetness in lit" was the acquaintance of Mis Pattison, and which he used to describe to Ins

friends at Elthnm -as that of "a sane j, woman." He wished the guests of the 1 evening every success in their new sphere of life. The Chairman, in presenting Mr Pat-/ fcison with a cheque on behalf of the Church, said that just over throe years j. I ago, as, one of an informal deputation, lie welcomed Mr Pattison to | Stratford. Then St. Andrew's Churcli j was not in a good way, for they had that awful demon of discord amongst the members. But-Mr Pattison took charge, and under him the Church-had' made great progress.'JDuring the three years of Mr Pattison's : ministry there was a great increase in the spiritual. life of the Church, and the membership/' of the Church increased with it. in all' his ministerial duties he was ahiy sunported by -Mrs Pattison. As an office.beaver he wished to ,congratulate Mj' T'attison on the way in whieji lie hay conducted their meetings. *fHe bad, .done a to foster conciliation •and brotherly love. He wished the departing guests Clod's blessing and success in their new sphere. . Jn reply. Mr Pattison said lie felt greatly touched with the. enthusiasm and cordiality of the meeting. He thanked the speakers for their remarks , concerning bis wife and himself. He had been in Stratford three'years ami four months, and he would like to have extended the time to five years if possible. When he arrived in Stratford and had looked round, lie said "frank l lv, that'»is"lieai't' sank within Hint. Put lie' Had the youth; energy j and' experience' tS Carry out' the duties j he'was pleased that' mej place! 'Notf; ne'ht*jieyeil'tbat Clod bad sent him. foivhc' had 'spent "a delightful • timb: He 'ex'-: pressed ' Id's grai iie.de to- those who foiid i| | procured Him the Manse.' Ho had been'« ! nobly helped by of the ' Clihreh, 'and''there was<.never ont tin-, ind word said at the committee meet- ; ings. ; Mr Pattison expressed his pleasure at having 'Mr Thomson, of Duuedin, with them. When speaking to |Mr Thomson at Hawera r.eeently he was pleased to tell hi in of the excellent work done by .Mr Percy Thomson to the Church while acting in the capacity of treasurer... A! r La w lumee and > .» the members of the eemimittee.wovc, ah, ■ ways ■aMiend to.matters; \ in,.. corinecioai with the Church. ,'Dr.,.SU'-, ■ ven bad been very good 'indeed, and,,, had been, helpful ever, since .their ,iirst> ■ meeting. .Mr-,.Pattison also ; rcTerre/l ,| to (he, good, w°rk,pf Mr tadley. , in Conclusion, he, could say, .with;.perfect, sincerity,.that ho was truly sorry at,,

I leaving" Stratford. lie thanked them all'very much for the presentation. in a> short address, the Rev. T. IT. Rosovoar said that during the_ years Mr.Pattison had been in Stratford the' congregation had received visions ol 'the highest though the eyes of the 'minister. The people were privileged to have such a man as Mr Pattison, while the bes;, that could be said about womankind could be said of Mrs Pattii.son, for : Mr Pattison had received very, ! worthy help from his wife. j Adjutant Cook paid that on different occasions Mr Pattison had attended, the Salvation Army, and Ins words of cheer had been muc;h appreciated. On ; behalf of the Army, he prayed that ' God's blessingifrwould rest on Mr Paf- ■ tison and his wife. . j The evening concluded with refreshments, winch were supplied by the I ladies.