VALEDICTORY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10545, 30 January 1912, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

THE REV. A. HODCE. The Rev. A. J±odge, of the Master- i 1»n Congregational Church, was ten- J dered a farewell in the Church last J evening by the members of the con- j gregat<ioni, and representatives of oth- I or Masterton churches, there also be- j ing present Mr G. it. Sykes, M.P. The Rev. J. R. Glasson, of the Wellington Congregational Church, -occupied the chair, ' and addresses , were given by the Rev. A. T. Thomp- ' son, Rev. Serpell, and Messrs G. R. Sykes, M.P., O. N. C. Pragnell, Ed-j win> Feist, 0. Pragnell and Mr Shoe- i smith. I The Rev. J. R. Gdasson, chairman, spoke of his long acquaintance with Mr Hodge, and referred to the remarks passed by himself at the induction* of Mr" Hodge to the Masterton Congregational Church three and a, half years ago. He was quite sure that Mr Hodge had borne out all the good things he had said about him on that occasion. He regretted that Masterton was losing the services of so ablo a Minister, but hoped that the good work which Mr Hodge had begun would be continued after his departure. The Rev. A. T. Thompson, on behalf of the Presbyterian Church, referred to the splendid work done ty Mr Hodge in "the Masterton district, and the great respect in which he was held by his fellow ministers, .and concluded by wishing Mr Hodge every success in his new sphere. The Rev. Serpell, on behalf of the Methodist Church, congratulated Mr Hodge on his appointment ;o the Napier charge, whe're. he would have a. wider sphere im which to work, but "' regretted that he was leaving Master, ton, where his labours were so< much appreciated, and where he had done such excellent work. - : : ...... Mr G. It. Sykes, M.P., in a few well-chosen words, expressed regret that Mr Hodge was leaving Masto--t<on, where everyone knew of "She splendid work he had" done, not for his own church alone, but for tbes community at large, and he '"he-h! Mr Hodge and family the greatest success in their new home at Napier. Mr Edwin Feist spoke) of the splendid work Mr Hodge had done in conTUTtioM with the Evangelical (>,uncil, of which he was Chairman for the' past year, and referred to the hejp which tha Presbyterian Ghur.'h '•"■■'■ received at. various tamest from, . Mr Hodge.';He hoped)\tha£^ : Mir Hodge, . t3fiough ; "living in Napie*r'; r would Estill: , keep "up the many sincere friendships, made in Masterton. ' Mr! "Oi N. C. Pragnell referred' to the pioneer work which Mr Hodge' had undertaken since coming to Masterton, and was sorry that such a man as Mr Hodgo had proved him>self was leaving Masterton. and wished him all. success in the charge to which hei was appointed. Mr W. Pragnell also spoke of the' excellent work done for the church by Mr Hodge during, his three and a half years in "Masterton, and ?*" said that Mr Hodge dad much good in a private way which was little knbw'n. about. He regretted that Mr Hodge was leaving Masterton, but (he had no. doubt that he would be able to do a great deal of good in the wider sphere to which he was going., .."'..

Mr Shoesmith, superintendent of the Congregational Sunday School, also spoke of the, splendid influence uihich Mr Hodge had upon the younger members of the Church'.. During the evening several anthems were rendered by the choir, wihieh -vr&a 'ably conducted" by Mr Olobgh. ' * ' ■-:■. Th«'..chairman reAd letters l from Br N. Prior and Mir J. M. Ooradine, expressing regret at their inability to be present, and wishing Mr,"Hodge and his. family the greatest success in their sphere of labour".