FAREWELL ADDRESS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10542, 26 January 1912, Page 5

FAREWELL ADDRESS

TO REV. A. HODGE. The following is the .text of the illuminated address presented by the j members and adherents of the Masi 1 terton Congregational Qhurcih to the Rev. A. Hocige, who Jeaves ' next week to take charge of the Napier j Congregational Church: —

Master-ton, 24tli Ja.:;,, 1912 To the Rev. Alfred Htodge, Congregational Minister, M.asterton.

We, the officers, members and congregation of the Masterton Congregational Church, sincerely regret' that you and your family are severing your and their connection with the Church here. It can truly be said that you will be missed, and that the Church will lose in you a capable Pastor and friend 1 . Since your arrival on sth September, 1908, for the purpose of becoming the first minister of tihe Congregational Church in Masterton. you have done excellent work, and the Church has progressed well raider your able leadership. As an instance of the growth of the Church under your guidance, a fellowship was formed on the 28th October, 1908, at which thirty persons were received into membership. The present. membership is 83. A conspicuous feature of your work lias.,been your success, in inducing mon-Church-goers: -to :heQoTne regxilarv.attendants, a-t -the j. means of gpr'aee:-/; kiitd:- of work' is jof ohameter, • and* the,-Vißry kindr cl service thjtt can be. rendered to God . and the Church. We corigratuafe, you sincerely on your success in connection with this kind of service... The youth: of your Cihurcli and the parents of our children have reason to thank you for having lost no time after your arrival in organising a Sunday' School, which now ranks as one of the most successful branches of your ministrations amongst us. By yOur able pulpit ministrations we have been ifed during your pr.storate with the Breadiof Life. The vopng men have been built up in the 'most holy Faith, and altogether your Ministry has appealed to all. On leaving Masterton you riot only carry, away with you the best wishes of the officers and members of your congregation, but also the goodwill of all the reputable citizens of the Masterton district. We • trust that Cod's blowing wiU- rest upon you in your new sphere o>f labour in Napier, and that throughout'all the com,in(r oiay.p yru -wil'l : cont : mie to Iks emir nentlv successful in , the noble work of the Congregation!*l Ministry. ev&ry good "-'.ft rf ,f> be T.po" vontself n.u'd Mi'r Ho'd.ce and ' family wherever vor be. .'a-"! when your work■ is. <V.*»r vnor> „j»art?\ may you receive at *be of God the reward that':- faithful Christian ! service : \ .. !

iSigned )>y 'v"'Vrirentiened Deacons on lifhalf of tbe memVr» and adhereu-r r f -sV. M?pterton;'Congregational Church. ALEX.' TTFWY. <'Secret,arv.) JOHIN" HTWTO, ''Treasurer). FRFDK. T. REDMAN. GEO. L. JOY. ERiNEST G. FROST.