PRESBYTERIANISM

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 72, 15 September 1911, Page 4

PRESBYTERIANISM

INDUCTION OK REV. T. 1L ROSE-VE-AKI3. The, ,Uev., 'J', 11. Roacveure, who accepted the call to the Pastorate of Ht. Andrews' Presbyterian Chinch, was inducted into the charge last night. At 5.31) p.m. a meeting of the Presbytery was held, at which there were present: Revs. ,1. R. shore (Hawera), Moderator, in the chair, D. Mclvor (Waverley), VV. 11. Howes (Manaia), and F. W. Robertson. At this meeting the clerk to the Presbytery formally asked, according to Presbyterian custom, if any objection was raised to the life and character of the Rev. T. 11. Rosevca-re. None, of course, was forthcoming, and at 7 p.m. tlu> Presbytery proceeded to the induction. There was a verv largo congregation, the Moderator (Rev. J. It. Shore) presiding at the service. A special Henhnii was preached by the Rev. F. W. RnherUon, who took as his text Phil, iii., 10. "That I may know Him and the power of Hi* resurrection." A narrative of the proceedings in connection with the call was given bv the Moderator. The .prescribed questions were put to the minister elect, and, .being satisfactorily answered, the Moderator engaged in the induction prayer, at the conclusion of which he pronounced the usual formula of admission to the pastoral charge, and, along; with the other members of the Presbytery, irave the newlv-imliictod minister the ri K ht hand of fellowship. Short addresses were then Riven to the minister by the Rev. D. McIvor, and to the congregation bv the Rev. W. IT. TTowca. At the conclusion of the .service the newly-inducted minister was introduced to the members and adherents by Mr. MaeDiarmid. _ At the conclusion of the -social an adjournment was made to St. Andrew's Hall, where a welcome social was tendered the Rev. T. H. Roseveare. The platform was prettily decorated with flowers, and was occupied by the guest of the evening, the members, of" the Presbytery, and the Rev. J. W. Burton The Rev. J. R. Shore, who presided, apologised for the absence of the Revs Wilkinson, Liddeil and McArthur (Opunake), and Messrs. Fnrotihar (Awntuna) and Eli Taylor (Rahotu). Congratulatory telegrams were received from the Revs. R. J. Porter (Oamaru), ,T. Patterson (Makino): and D. Calder (■Reefton).

The Rev. ,T. R. Shore expressed pleasure at the number who had eome to tender such a. hearty pood welcome to the minister, and hoped that this augured that the. minister wouldl liave their fervent help i n his work. He congratulated them on the fact of the vacancy having been such a record one for shortness and Hint it was so happily and well settled. During the vacancy he had found the attitude of the congregation mnst helpful. IH<» congratulated them on securing so eminently successful a minister as the Rev. Mr. Rosevearc, and read the minute that the Oamaru Presbytery had pissed, placing on record his high qualities. He pointed out that a • minister always received plenty of discouragement, and asked them, therefore, to encourage Mm and give him nil sympathy, inspiration and help. The making or marring of a minister lay in the hands of his congregation. Tn conelusion, he expressed his best wishes to the minister and congregation. The Rev. W. H. Howes also referred to his previous connection with the Rev. Mr. Roscvenre in eulogistic terms. He pointed out that the members of the Presbytery had attended the induction and welcome from a spirit of brotherliness.

The Rev. .T. W. Burton, on behalf of the Methodist Church and Ministers' Association, also welcomed the Rev. Mr. Rosevcare. and humorously tendored some useful advice.

The Rev. V. W. Robertson (Kitham) felt certain that the Rev. Mr. Rosevenre's coming would be an energetic force inciting for righteousness, both in New Plymonth and the Tiironaki Presbytery. He urged them all to rally round and nttend church services regularly. Regular churchgoers were a tower of strength to the preacher and to the church. The Rev. D. McTvor (Waverleyl also welcomed the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Rosevcare to Taranaki.

Mr. MacDiarmid. on behalf of (lift congregation, most, heartily extended the Rev. Mr. Rose.vonre a warm weleome. He had received a happy send-off from the South Island, where he had been 'highly esteemed by warm friends. Tie felt, assured, however, that it would not he long before he had equally warm friends in the North Island. H<- then introduced Mrs. A. Morton, the oldest member of the congregation, who. on behalf of the member* and «<l- - thanked the Rev. .1. R. Shore for the kindness he had shown during the vaeancv. and presented him with « watch-truard and <rold sovereign case for himself and a copper tray and hot water jucr for Mrs. Shore, as « token of esteem. Mr. MacDiarmid said that, as secretary, no one knew better than be did how great the congregation were indebted to the recipient.

The Rev. .T. R. Shore, on behalf of his better half and himself, returned thanks for the presentation, which was the biggest surprise be had ever bad in his life. It showed the nice spirit that prevailed. The Rev. T. If. Roscvcare, who was heartily applauded on rising to reply, said it whs with mixed emotions and '«■ deep sense of responsibility that he, stood in his present position.' Since the call bad been extended to him he had given the matter much consideration, and now that he was inducted he appreciated the kindly feelings that bad been manifested to Mrs. .Rnseveare and child and himself. He had listened to the speakers with a deep sense of humility, because in coming to take up the work he was painfully conscious of his own limitations. Tie knew he bad made mistakes during his five and a half years of ministry, lie trusted these illicit not be repeated, but he knew others would occur, and he therefore nsked them to exercise forbearance. Each member nf the congregation probablv had an ideal of what a minister should be, and if all these ideals, could he gathered into one great ideal it wouhl be impossible to find a man to fill them. TTe. however, trusted to do bis best, and declare the message of God. He «lso nsikc<l their co-operation. TTe took it, that be was not called here to preach to and work- for them, but with them, and he asked for support in their prayers, because be did not' know how a church could succeed without united prayer. Although he understood there were difficulties to fn«e. and knew that the work culled for all his enemies, be bad also been encouraged by the fact that there were a number of active workers in the church. He was pleased that there v.-., s ~ Mi,,i-(ers' Association in New Plymouth, and trusted Hint, there was fellowship of churches as well, because there were mnnv matters that could be move effectively dealt with hv chureh.es nnitedlv than iudividuallv. TTe would not outline am- plan nf notion nf present, but, would do so *<\ soon as he had time to loot round. Tn conclusion, he thanked them for their henrfv welcome, which' he much appreciated, as he felt that if it was anvthing like the treatment which would he meted out

to him lie would have nothing to regret in coming to New Plymouth. After tlic Benediction «upper was handed round .by the Indies of the eongregation. The addresses .were interspersed with musical items, quite a lengthy programme being rendered as follows: Anthem, "Seek .ye the Lord," choir; song, "Thi' Last Muster," Mr. Aaher; sonp, "Loch Lomond," Mrs. Cutler; song, '-f hear you enlling me," and, a« an encore, "I know a lovely garden," Mr. flaslam; song, "The Song T'll Ne'er 'Forget," Mr. \Y. F. Reid; recitation, "Mrs. Hodgson;," Miss Grant, and, as an encore number, "Timmy's Appendicitis"; duet, "Excelsior," Mrs. Cutler and Mr. Asher; rceitntion, "Tamboro I)a>vie," Mis* Taylor, who gave, in response to an encore, "Specially .Tim"; song, "The R«eruitfhg Sergeant,' Mr. Davis; song, "Forgive and Forjrct," Mr. McGregor. Miss Perry played the accompaniments.