Farewell Soiree.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3157, 1 April 1879, Page 3

Farewell Soiree.

A farewell soiree was held last night in the Baptist Church, on the occasion of the departure of the Rev. J. T. Hinton for Wellington. The building was completely filled. aAfter a very enjoyable tea had been partaken of, and the tables, &c, cleared ' away, the room soon filled up, and Mr Renshaw having taken the chair, the, choir sang " Stand up, stand up, for Jesus ! " The Chairman then made some remarks, in which he said that on account of the limited time at the disposal of their church after their acceptance of the resignation of their pastor, they had not been able to get up a soiree of the usual order, but not liking to exclude the public they decided to hold a social gathering. He expressed his hope for Mr Hinton's future welfare, and said that Sir Hinton had brought more persons into the church than any previous worker with them, but each of them had endeared themselves to the congregation. ; Another hymn having been nicely sung, the Eev. Mr Laishley said he was glad to gee so many of the young present, as he knew that their departing friend had taken great interest in young people. He would like to say something that would encourage Mr Hinton in his new sphere of Christian work. The speaker narrated an anecdote showing the wisdom 1 of foresight, and he would tell his Baptist friends, that he thought Mr Hinton was doing the proper thing in going to Wellington, where there was great need for active work to sow the seeds of Christianity. He. spoke of a church he had known in Melbourne where the congregation had got on famously without a minister, and he trusted the Baptist Church would not suffer through Mr Hinton's leaving, and he heartily hoped that they would hear good tidings of him from Wellington. 1 "Scatter seeds, of kindness;" was rendered very sweetly/ .The Rev. J..l?ixon said he had cone, asked, to bid good-bye to their esteemed friend, Mr Hinton. He could not bid,farewell with so light a heart as did Mr Laishley, for of all the ministers he had met, he had been so familiar with none as with Mr Hinton, who had often given him brotherly comfort when in distress. He, as well as Mr Hinton, was abouti to leave the Thames, but he believed it was all for the best. Eev. S. J. Neill next addressed the meeting. - He was assured Mr Hinton had had the kindly feeling of his people, which was a very great assistance to a minister, and necessary to his success. jMr Hinton, as secretary for the united services, had done good service in arranging the meetings which had- been held since Dr Somerville's visit. Mr JS"eill .referred to an interesting book he had read of Mr Hinton's brother, advising the audience to read it. He bade a kind m farewell to Mr Hinton. ■ Hymn—"Will you meet me at the fountain," was pleasingly rendered. The Pastor (Eev. J. T. Hinton) then rose to speak, and was warmly received. He said many thoughts were crowding int# his mind. They had kindly received his first few stammering words, on the evening; after his arrival, and in like manner he trusted they would receive his last few words. Three and a half years 'did not seem long, but when he re-called the instances that had transpired during that time it seemed a considerable portion of his life. He said that perhaps in no other church did so close a communion exist between minister and congregation as the Baptists, and notwithstanding that some troubles had arisen, and he had not (the confidence of all he had ministered , to, he had the confidence of very many of them, in whose joys and sorrows he ,; had shared. He believed that the

providence which had led him to leave Orange (Australia) to come here was leading him to Wellington. He remembered that when he left Orange his friends there had put the same question 'which had been repeatedly put to him since he returned from Wellington: " Why yras he leaving P " He thought now as he thought before, that providence .... would have him go to Wellington. Mr; Hinton then exhorted his congregation to adhere faithfully to the church, and J though they might have difficulties to face, he was sure if they did their duty they would have reason to say " God has done good and wise things for us." He might say that he never enjoyed the friendship of those outside the' Church so much as on the Thames, and all his relations with the Thames people had tiven him pleasure. As a parting word; he wished them God's richest blessing, and that the man who would follow him to minister to them would be a better and abler man. After making some allusions to the scene of his future labor, Mr Hinton said he thought the useful and quite way in which he had spent the past three years was preparatory for a period of harder work. His farewell speech to his congregation was a feeling one. The .singing of a hymn—"Now dismiss us with Thy blessing "—■ terminated the meeting.