Recognition Soiree.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4457, 18 April 1883, Page 2

Recognition Soiree.

The Eev. T. Adams was welcomed to the pastorate of the Congregational I church here lasts, evening by a soiree and public meeting. Both were well attended. The pulpit was very prettily decorated with flowers, ferns, &c. Capt. Daldy, of Auckland, occupied the Chair, and on the platform were representatives of nearly all the dissenting churches. The meeting was opened in the usual way, after which the Chairman briefly sketched the history of the Thames church, concluding by heartily welcoming Mr Adams as its pastor.

Rev. T. Adams said he had felt it a sacrifice to leave home and friends and come out here, though he was pleased to be able to say the kindness he had received in a great measure recompensed him for it. It was usual for a new pastor to give some out" line of the plan of work he intended co follow, but as he had already been among them four months, this was hardly necessary. As to the doctrines he believed he would simply assure them he had determined to know nothing among them but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. He then proceeded to give a history of his past career, 3^ years of which he had spent in Yorkshire, and 6|- in Bristol. He came out in the Lady Jocelyo, landing at Wellington on December 23rd last, and the first letter he received was one asking him to come to the Thames. He had hitherto always had the co-operation of his members, and hoped to hare it here. He appealed to them to help him in the good work, not only by monetary assistance, but also with their prayers, and he felt sure God's blessißg would be poured on them.

A hymn was then sung, after which the Bey. H. Bull, on behalf of the Wesleyan Church, offered a cordial welcome to Mr Adams, and complimented the church on its choice. He heartily desired that he might be blessed in his work. He then spoke on the necessity of Christian sympathy, without which life was hardly worth having. When Christ was on earth he sympathised with' all who were in trouble, and His example should be followed. Sympathy felt was good, but when it was expressed it was much more valuable. He illustrated his subject by several amusing anecdotes. There was one kind of sympathy which was very loud in its expression, but when it came to the crisis it was worth very little, but he was certain Mr Adams would not find any of that kind on the Thames,, for he bad found the people to be hearty in what they undertook.

TheEev. J. Eobertson, of Auckland, also welcomed Mr Adams. A number of members of the Auckland Church had come to attend this meeting, and more would have come had not the boat left too early for them to return the same day. He was glad to be present, but there was a feeling of sadness when he remembered the death of Messrs Davies and Hudson, and it behoved them all to be ready also. He had had the pleasure of meeting Mr and Mrs Laishley in Australia, and they charged him to remember them to the Thames people. They had made a good start, but he would like them to look forward, and think what the end would be. That rested partly with the minister, bnt no matter how earnest he might be they must remember he could not do it all by himself. His congregation must help him by their prayers for a blessing on the work, and it would surely come. He would also ask them to be very careful of what they said about their minister and his sermons. A great deal of harm was done by people dwelling too much on the faults and mistakes committed; it made others think less of the preacher, and hindered his usefulness. They were going to have the best energies of their pastor, and he hoped they would give him the best aid they could, and their best affections. •

The Eev. C. E. Barley referred to his own recognition soiree, and the pleasant acquaintance which had followed it. He had been awarded much sympathy when he first arrived in the colony, and it had helped him a great deal to reconcile himself to leaving his old home. He hoped Mr Adams would have as pleasant an experience of New Zealand as the speaker had, and then he felt sure he would not regret coming here. He had great sympathy with the Congregational Church, and though the Methodist body was at present doing the most real work he believed the Congregational Church would be the church of the future. -The tendency of the times was towards democracy, and for this reason he felt sure that the Congregational body would before long be the leading church. He heartily hoped that Mr Adams' work would be a very successful one, and welcomed him to the Thames on behalf of the Primitive Methodist Church.

After the Rev. S. J. Neill, on behalf of the Presbyterians, and Mr Benshaw, for the. Baptists, had welcomed Mr Adams, the Chairman spoke on the necessity of preachers being left free to do their share of the work, not being hampered by any fears as to the money required being raised. Members, he considered, should make it a duty to support the church, not because it was a church, but because it was G-od's work.

Mr Milne, of Auckland, also gave a short address, and Mr Adams apologised for the absence of the Eev. W. Calder, and thanked all present for their attendance and good wishes. The meeting was then closed by the singing of the Doxology and the Benediction.