METHODIST CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8116, 10 April 1906, Page 6

METHODIST CHURCH.

FARKWELL TO REV. D. J. MURRAY. A sooial gathering was held in the Methodist Church, last evening, < when occasion was taken to bid farewell and make a presentation to the Rev. D. J. Murray, wbo will leave shortly to take charge of the Mornlngton circuit. Mr Andrew Donald occupied tbe chair, and tbe church was crowded. Mr J. Heyhoe sai 1 that the teachers and pupils of tbe Sunday School regretted Mr Murray a departure. He had been deputed by them to express appreciation of Mr Murray's labours and the encouragement he h£d given to the work. JVlr Murray had always takon a lively interest in the school. It ■was needless fur him to dwell on the good work accomplished by Mr Murray in connection with the church. Mr Murray was not going to a now place or among strangers, and he had uo doubt the departing ministor would rccpive a warm , wejeorae at. Morningtou. Ou behalf ot the scholars and teachers of the school, tbe speaker tendered their be6t wishes to Mr and Mrs Murray and family. Mt C. U. Daniell thouaht tnafc the large attendance must have been gratifying to Mr Murray. Personally he Lad desired that tbe church should join in tho citizens' gathering, but he had berii over-mled. KefTiing to Mr Murray's work, the speaker remarked that he had always - adopted the best, kindliest, and most earnest manner of doing his work. They had not always agreed with Mr Murray, but was there ever a man who was worth his salt, with whom they all agreed, asked the speaker. As a congregation and as a town, they were all prepared to say "Well done. MrMuray." Mr Dauieil spoke iu a eulogistio manner of the departing minisfr's Sunday School work, while in the no-license work Mr Murray had nearly carried tbem to victory at the last j election. lie also mentioned that uo minister liked to leave a circuit in debt, and Mr Murray was to be congratulated on leaving hia circuit with all the liabilities provided for. On behalf of the ladies of the congregation, he presented Mr Murray with *a purse of, sovereigns a r-or-tion of which had been received at Wangaeha. In conclusion he tendered to Mr Murray the eincerest thanks of the cpnierogation for his work iii the Masterton circuit; Mr P.' W. Temple, speaking on behalf of the Church Trust, said that he was very pleased to be able to saya few words. He esteemed it a privilege to have known Mr Murray for the past four years. Mr Murray was the best friend he had and he was a man wbo was always , desirous of helping others, lie was sorry Mr Murray was leaving them but what was their loss was Mornington's gain. He believed that Mr Murray during his stay in Masterton bad helped in a great measure to bring the town to a higher level. On behalf of tbe Trust he thanked Mr Murray for his efforts in the town and hoped ho would be blessed in his new circuit. Mr E. Feist, speaking on behalf of the Piesoyteriau Church, said Mr Murray had won the respect of every citizen in the town. His labours had been appreciated. He deserved tbe very warmest thanks of all interested in the temperance ~ work for the great assistance he had given. Ha bad tnken a lively interest in educational work and he was sure that the members of the Presbyterian Church would join with him in regretting Mr Murry's departure and wishing him "God speed" and success in his new sphere of labour. ' The Chairman in a very appropriate speech presented Mr Murray win an enlarged framed photograph of tbe Methodist Young Ladies Hookey Team as an appreoiatiou of the interest he had taken in the team. The Rev. A. M. Johnson said that Mr Murray had won the esteem of all and sundry and he had taken ah interest in all things that were for the good of the town. He was not only a gentleman but a Christian and was one from whom he (Mr Johnson) could have received a great deal of advice. He regretted that bis other duties would prevent him from being present at the citizens' farewell on the following night. Wherever Mr Murray should go he (Mr Johnson) hoped that iealtb and strength would go with bim and in the name of tbe Church of England the speaker expressed sorrow at Mr Murray's departure and hoped that he would be successful in his future work. Mr J. B. Nicol on behalf of the pupils attending Master Rainton Murray's Class at the Sunday School presented him with a set of soholar's requisites. Mr Murray in replying said he was sure they would not expect muob from him after all they had heard about him. He was deeply thankful to the ladies of the oongregatio n for their presentation of i a purse of sovereigns. It was seldom that | they met a rich Methodist minister. He had only known one and he was dead now. (Laughter). ( The contents of the purse would be spent to the best advantage. He thanked the Hockey Club for the photograph of the team and wherever he went he would be proud of it. On behalf of his son be also extended thanks to Mr Nicol and the members of the Sunday School class for their gift. The remarks that he had heard that evening made him think that after all it wbs worth living to be appreciated and that all his labours had been appreciated, he was glad to know. He knew there would be friendß at Mornington but he could never forget those whom he was leaving behind him. He had never regretted for one moment that tbe Methodist Conference of bad appointed him to the Masterton circuit. When he joined the ministry he had made up his mind to do his duty and follow the teachings of Wesley and while he was in Matterton be had tried to do that. Whether he had succeeded in his work or not he could not say, but he thanked the Board of officers for their assistance to him. In conclusion Mr Murray stated that bis constant prayer would be that God's blessing would always remain ■with the Masterton Methodist oir.

During the evening the following anthems were rendered by the choir: —'•Praise God Prom tWbom All Blessings Plow," "In Jewry ie God Known," "Exhalfc Him All Ye People," and "God Be With You Till Wo Meet Again " Mr S. H. Ralph rendered "The Throne of Grace," and Mrs Edwards "0 Dry Those Tears," and a duet, entitled "Ora Pro Nobis," was sung by Mesdames Boagey and Edwards. An adjournment was made to the Sunday Schoolroom where refreshments were served out by tbe ladies, after which the gathering terminated. | i ■> '