REV. J. S. HILL’S FAREWELL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 457, 26 March 1890, Page 4

REV. J. S. HILL’S FAREWELL.

PRESENTED WITH A PURSE OF SOVEREIGNS.

Auckland, March 22. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather last night, a large audience assembled in the City Hall for the purpose of bidding farewell to the Rev. J. S. Hill, who leaves for England early next week. Mr J. L. Wilson presided, and on the platform were Ven. Archdeacon Dudley, Revs. Tebbs, Salter, Best, Monro, Calder, Gilmore, Simmonds, Thomas, Dr. Purchas, G. G. Chapman (from Fiji), A. J. Smith, Dukes (North Shore), A. J. Mather (Mahurangi), Cox, Messrs Ewington, Knight, Shalders, McPherson, Brakenrig (general secretary Y.M.C. A.), Hammond, Button, Buddie, E.' Withy (M.H.R.), Dr. Kenderdine, Agnew, Browne. Proceedings commenced by all present joining in the hymn, “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds,” after which The Rev. Mr Gittos engaged in prayer. The choir of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, conducted bv Mr Vincent Rice, sang the anthem, “The Radiant Morn has Passed'Away.” • • The Chairman said that while none could regret the coming of th 1 } genial rain, still it would not prevent them from spending a pleasant evening. The ain had no doubt kept away many. He would read a few apologies received. The firs:? was from the Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell, slating that they could ill spare men of such catholic spirit as Mr Hill. Apologies were also received from the Revs. C. M. Nelson and P. S. Smallfield. The Chairman referred to the loss that would be sustained by the city in the departure of Mr Hill. The whole of Auckland seemed to have been his parish, and he was welcomed wherever he went. (Applause.) All classes had learned to respect Mr Hill, who had commended religion by his cheerfulness and brightness. It gave a contradiction to the idea that religion was gloomy. He did nob think that there was a lazy bone in Mr Hill’s body. (Applause.) It was a great compliment to a man to be more popular at going away after nine years’ sojourn than he was when he came. The young men of Auckland owed a debt of gratitude to Mr Hill. The Y.M.G.A. would miss him very much indeed, and they would claim the sympathy of the public of Auckland for that institution. They could' gratify Mr Hill by rallying- round the work that had been so dear to hi 3 heart. (Applause.) They would not only miss Mr Hill, bub also his good wife and her sister, who had nut been behind him in working for Christ. A glee was next rendered by the choir. ADDRESS FROM MINISTERS’ ASSOCIATION. The Rev. Mr Salter then read an address from the Auckland Ministers’ Association. To the Rev. J. S. Hill. Dear sir,—We, the undersigned members of the Auckland Ministers’ Association, having heard with regret of your intention to return to England, cannot allow you to leave New Zealand without expressing our high appreciation of vour character and abilities as a Christian minister and brother. Your genial and kindly disposition, your earnest and faithful efforts to ameliorate the social and moral condition of our fellow citizens, your hearty and liberal sympathy with every evangelical branch of the Christian Church, vour ready co-operation with all philanthropic and religious movements, and your long and unabated interest in our Association, have secured for you our highest esteem and respect. We cannot retrain from saying that we shall greatly miss your wise and thoughtful counsels, and that our Monday meetings will scarcely be the same without your loving presence and fellowship. But, in thus wishing you good-bye, and wishing you, Mrs Hill and family a safe and prosperous voyage and great blessing in the future, we would assure you that if, in the kind providence of God, you should be guided back to our shores, you may depend upon a most cordial welcome from this Association. —We are, dear Mr Hill, yours faithfully, Edwakd Best, President; G.B. Monro, Vice-president; W. L.Salter, Secretary; W. La ycock, Treasurer ; William Birch, B. L. Thomas, Jno. D. Gilmore, Duncan McPherson, William Gittos, James A. Taylor, J. H. Simmonds, John Dukes, Arthur J. Smith, C. W orboyk, William Brakenrig, George D. Cox. (Several others have yet to sign.) The Rev. Mr Best, President of the Association, formally presented the address, and in doing so, said that so large an attendance on such a wet night was quite a compliment to Mr Hill. The address did nob express all that they felt with regard to Mr Hill. He was possessed with such animal magnetism that he always helped to dispel their languor at the Monday morning meetings. He had strengthened them by his example and stimulated by his counsel. He had shown that a minister might co-operate with ministers of other bodies in promoting the work of Christ. He felt that they would sorely miss Mr Hill, and they hoped that Providence was guiding their brother to a larger sphere of labour. He was now going to almost the centre of the world. Still he hoped that when Mr Hill had one or two winters of London fog he would be glad to come back again. (Applause.) The Rev. Mr Macnicol said that Mr Best had expressed his own sentiments. It was difficult to expatiate upon a man’s good qualities before his face. He supposed he had been called upon to speak on account of his seniority. With the exception of Archdeacon Dudley, he was the oldest stationed minister in this city. He had witnessed other ministers come and go, but never had he known such universal sorrow at a minister going from their midst. Mr Hill had, as it were looked after the outposts of the great Salvation Army of the Church of Christ. He was a sort of free lance, and had discharged his duties faithfully. He was glad to see that the clergy of Mr Hill’s own church had met and expressed their attachment to their unattached brother. (Laughter.) They had themselves met to further add the testimony of other creeds to the great esteem , in which Mr Hill was felt. As Mr Hill was the only representative of the Anglican Church in the Ministers’ Association, he must hope that at least one minister of that church would take his place and thus keep up the representative nature of the Association, Mr Hill would return Home a more efficient minister than he was even when he arrived here, as he had now additional experience. His colonial experience would be of great advantage to him in the old land. He entertained the hope that Mr Hill might yet find his way back to this colony. With their prayers and best wishes he would, on behalf of the Association, bid iarewell to Mr Hill and wish him God-speed. The Ven. Archdeacon Dudley was received with applause. He said that after, theadmirableremarks of preceding speakers it was unnecessary for him to speak at length. In Mr Hill they had a. man in the best sense of the term (applause), and be was such,a man because he was a Christian. They had ample testimony to the catholicity of Mr Hill, and ho was there’- * himsejf that night to testify

bhab the Rev. J; S. Hill was a hearty loyal clergyman of the Church of England. (Applause.) It had been said that Mr Hill was unattached, bub that was not so, as he held the honourable and important position of chaplain to the Gaol. (Applause.) Of his work in that position it was hard to speak sufficiently. Only the other night three gentlemen—officers of that institution -r had waited upon himself and added a substantial contribution towards the testimonial shortly to be presented to Mr Hill. (Applause.) They said that Mr Hill had lightened their labours in the Gaol, by making the prisoners more amenable to discipline. They also said that ho had decreased crime in the Gaol to an enormous extent. He considered that a grand testimony to the work done!by Mr Hill. (Applause.) Another institution which had been benefitted by his services was the Women's Home in Parnell. Mr Hill was a member of the Committee, and his counsel had been most sagacious and valuable. He had done active practical work and would be greatly missed. There was no clergyman in Auckland had worked harder than the Rev. Joseph Hill, and it would be a work of difficulty to fill the positions he bad occupied, and they must hope that a double portion of his spirit might be vouchsafed to those left behind. (Applause.) “ Anchored ” was then sung in a pleasing manner by Mr C. Chambers. ADDRESS FROM Y.M.C.A. Mr T. Buddie, Hon. Secretary of the Y.M.C. A., next read an address from that body. He said that he would not speak at length, as he was sure that Mr Hill would prefer not to hear any more about himself. (Hear ! hear ! from Mr Hill). The address was as follows :

To the Rev. J. S. Hill, President of the Y.M.C.A. : Dear Brother,—As you are about, in the order of Divine Providence, to leave Auckland, and return to the mother country, after a residence of eight years amongst us, during the whole of which time you have been actively connected with our Association as a working member, and for the last four years as its President, we cannot allow you to depart without giving expression to our sincere regret that circumstances have decided you to take this step, so great will be our loss. You must permit us to say that the position which has been filled by you in this city, and especially in connection with the work of tli6 Association, is one which is unique, and which it will be exceedingly difficult to fill. The work, however, is the Lord’s work, and He will doubtless provide the means of carrying it on. During your residence among us you have been in labours more abundant, consecrating all your powers, physical as well as mental, to the service of God and to the betterment of the people of all ages and both sexes, and your public addresses, although of almost daily occurrence, and on subjects so varied, have retained to the last the vigour and freshness by which they have always been characterised, and will long live in the memories of those who have been privileged to hear them. The manly Christianity which your conduct as a citizen and your intercourse with all classes has uniformly illustrated has made itself felt, and tended greatly to increase your influence in the city. We desire also to recognise the great help which you have had from Mrs Hill and her sister (Miss Leachman), in whom the Association has always found ready and earnest helpers in every good work. We have to beg your acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns subscribed through the Association by some of the friends and sympathisers with your work. In saying farewell we, in the name of the Association, desire to wish you God-speed, and to assure you and your family of our earnest desire and prayer for your prosperity and happiness in your future labours ; and we would also beg an interest in your prayers on behalf of our Association and its future work. —Signed (on behalf of the A.Y.M.C.A.), J. L. Wilson (President), Thomas Buddle (Hon. Secretary), William Brakenrig (General Secretary).—Auckland, March 21, IS9O.

Added to the address was a purse of sovereigns, in handing over which Mr Buddie explained that it was not only from the Association but money voluntarily subscribed by other friends of all denominations, and he might say by both Jew and Gentile. (Applause.) He wished Mr Hill good-bye and God speed. FAREWELL ADDRESS.

The Rev. J. S. Hill was received with prolonged applause. He said it was very difficult for him to express the deep sense of gratitude he felt at the great kindness shown to him that night. He felt that all the kind words said had carefully covered over the many wants in his ministry. It was out of their great charity that they were able to express themselves so kindly. If there was anything whatsoever that they could speak well of him, they knew to whom to give the glory and the praise, their Lord and Master. (Applause.) If his work had been anything it had been to .uplift to all alike the wounded hand of Christ that they might all learn its saving power. He wished to refer to a somewhat personal matter. It was that he had been living amongst them nearly eight years, and he had nob been kept on air. All through those years he had been supported by five gentlemen of the city of Auckland, and with one exception they were on the platform that night. They had paid him amply—over £3OO per annum for eight years. (Applause.) He must express hie gratitude to them and others for this very great kindness. He had always had enough and to spare. He would give one instance. One day he went into the office of a gentleman who was now on the platform. He was himself in trouble because he had not money to purchase the furniture. His friend in the chair (Mr J. L. Wilson) at once wrote him out a .cheque for £IOO, and when he went to pay it back, his friend tore up his cheque. (Applause.) Therefore, if he had been of any use, through Christ they were indebted to those men. He would like to enlist the sympathies of those present for the prisoners. There were officers present who had rendered him every assistance they could. (Applause.) There were, however, one or two things he would like to mention in connection with gaol management, things that it was out of the power of the officers One was that there were infants of 10 years of age in the New Zealand prisons. Over 20 such little children were in prisons during the last year. What he wanted to impress upon those present was the necessity of bringing about a reform in this matter, so that no mere boy or girl was put ipto a felon’s cell. If they deserved punishment by all means let them have it, but children should not be pub into gaol in the same place with men. (Applause.) He wanted to stir them to take up these matters. Another thing, they should distinguish between drunkenness which was a crime, and drunkenness which wasa disease. (Applause.) Those who were suffering, hereditarily for the sins of others should not be treated as.criminals. (Applause.) They should be eared for in some separate institution. (Applause.) Neither did he think it was necessary that prisoners should be i compelled to eat theirfobd with theirfingera. There vvero,of course, men eo desperate ; tha,t they could not bo trusted, but be thought 1

that most might be allowed to use a fork. Another point he wished to speak about was that in New Zealand, on account of the want of unity amongst Christian men, they had not removed the blot upon their system of education, he meant the introduction of the Bible into the public schools. (Applause.) He believed that the sole and only reason was the want of union amongst Christians. He thought they might at least, as a nation, honour God to the extent of allowing the Bible to be read without comment, in their public schools. (Applause.) Another point was that in New Zealand they had tried the experiment of Charitable . Aid Board relief. He thought it a mistake to do their charity by rate, and thus shut up other avenues of charity. There were many who required something more, than the cold charity of the State. Now he would refer to the Young Men’s Christian Association. He would speak to his fellow-ministers. He had been all round the churches and Sundjay-schools, and tried to render assistance to all who asked him. He could not please all, but he must thank those who had been associated with their work at the Y.M.C.A. No one could tell how much he was indebted to Mr Brakenrig, the secretary of the Association. (Applause.) He hoped when he had gone they would all support Mr Brakenrig. Another thing he would like was that the debt might be removed off the Y.M.C.A. Buildings. He wished to thank all those who had assisted at the City Hall services—Miss Kenderdine (the organist), Mr Douglas and his choir, Mr Blackburn and his stewards. He wished also to thank the press of Auckland for many kindnesses. It had sometimes criticised him, and he thanked it for the way he had been advertised generally by notices given of the work in which he was engaged. They might laugh, but still it was an important thing to a man engaged in such work. He felt that while in Auckland he had been an element of union between the various branches of the Church of Christ. (Applause.) He supposed they were all engaged in preparing the great temple, and when they saw that city, in all its glory, they would find the work, not of one, bub of all the various workers for Christ. They were all members of the one family with one common head, one Lord, and the success of one was the success of 9.11, So let Auckland be in the forefront in witnessing to the world the union of Christ’s Church on earth, as they should be united by-and-by. (Applause.) There was one demand that the world had a right to make of Christians, that was self-sacrifice, to hold up the falling and comfort the sorrowing. Last of all, he wanted to speak about the final triumph of righteous love. Whatever the world might think, ultimately good would triumph over evil, truth over falsehood, righteousness over iniquity, and truth and purity would form the Kingdom of God. Whatever mighb be said, Christ was working out His will in the world. Could the people but see how their ministers thought of their welfare, they would receive more sympathy and encouragement instead of beitig so frequently misrepresented. Let them encourage and support their ministers in every endeavour. He wished to say finally that he hoped they would forgive him for any want of faithfulness on his part, and that when he was gone they would sometimes think of him and his family, and remember the great work in which they were all engaged. The class he had conducted on Sunday afternoon had taught him more than he had attempted to teach them. He asked them to believe he would try and use what he had received from them for the good of those amongst whom he laboured. There was more that he wished to say, but he was not able to do so because he felt so deeply the kindness manifested by all. He again thanked them on behalf of his family and himself. (Applause.) The Chairman said he wished to dispel an idea that had got about that Mr Abbott had stipulated that a charge ehould be made for the dress circle. Such was not the case.

Mr Hill said that he had intended also to thank both Dr. Kenderdine and Mr Buddie, as well as many others on the platform, for the many acts of kindness done to him. The choir next rendered a glee, unaccompanied, after which the Doxology was sung, and Mr Hill closed the proceedings by repeating the benediction.