BAPTIST TABERNACLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1920, Page 4

BAPTIST TABERNACLE.

PUBLIC WELCOME TO NEW / MINISTER. A public welcome to the Rev, A. H. Collins, to the pastorate of the New Plymouth Baptist Tabernacle, was given last night. A social tea took place in the schoolroom, after which a welcome service was held in the church. There was a good gathering, including a number of members of congregations of other churches of the town. Mr. A. Ambury presided, and In a few appropriate words, expressed satisfaction at the settlement of Mr. Collins in the pastorate of the church, and hoped for him the loyal co-operation of the congregation. Other speakers on behaK of th» church, were the Rev. Wm. Drew, the first minister of the church, and Mr. Q. H. Maunder. Messages of fraternal greetings were given on behalf of the sister churches by the Revs. J. Napier Milne and John Nixon (Methodist), 0. Blundell (Presbyterian), and Adjutant Bayliss (Salvation Army), all of whom expressed pleasure that the church% had Succeeded in filling its pastorate so well, and assured (Mr. Collins of the goodwill of themselves and the congregations they represented. The Rev. A. H. Collins, in a happy reply, said that although he had been accused of being a man with some "fads," he came to them with no "new fangled" gospel. He certainly believed in a Christianity which was related to, and offered a solution of, all the social problems that wracked the world, and could not understand a gospel which did not touch every phase of human life and experience, He hoped, to touch the younj? life of the place and to get into toue'.l with the manhood of the community. While regarding his duty to the churc i as of first importance, he. hoped to h' able to take his place as a citizen, and identify himself with the public life of the town. He expressed gratitude on behalf of his wife and (laughter and himself for the warmth of the welcome expressed, and hoped that as he himself was regarding his settlement in New Plymouth seriously, so the congregation would take the matter serlousiy. During the service several anthems were" sung by the choir and a solo by Miss Cnmpbell. The Rev. ,1. Napier Milne pronounced the benediction, and brought the function to a close.