LIFE OF DEVOTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 June 1941, Page 4

LIFE OF DEVOTION

LATE MRS MARIA REYNOLDS INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES. TRIBUTE BY REV JOHN DAVIE. “This week our congregation has suffered severe loss in the death of Mrs M. Reynolds and Dr J. A. Cowie.” said the Rev John Davie at Knox Church yesterday. “Both were Christians of outstanding character and when one tries to measure up the causes for such, steadfastness in principles one thing is discovered and this that a firm Christian foundation was laid in early childhood. So much depends upon the background, that knowing the background one could with a fair measure of accuracy foretell the character. "In the case of Mrs M. Reynolds." said Mr Davie, “she received a very excellent foundation training by a minister’s widow. She. at the age of five, lost her own mother and she and her brother were cared for by housekeepers. It was their particularly good fortune to have as one of these the widow of a minister, who gave much diligence to get the children to learn passages of Scripture by heart, particularly the Psalms. This knowledge of the Psalms was not only formative in her early years but a great source of strength and comfort in later years. As an illustration of this housekeeper's interest in and concern for the religious growth of the children, the following incident will bear testimony. The father and housekeeper were friends of Sir Henry Doulton, of pottery fame, and Sir Henry gave each of the children a beer mug. This filled the housekeeper with grave concern and she promptly got them to sign the pledge which Mrs Reynolds duly honoured. They had two miles to walk to church and the children were taken there every Sunday morning by their father. As they were growing up the brother and sister went together to the evening service. As Mrs Reynolds naively put it, it used to be an outing, young , people need company. At the age of 13 years she thought she was old enough to keep house for hei’ father and forthwith took charge of his home. The seed sown by the Godly minister's widow was now beginning to bear fruit. She began to take an active interest in religion and began teaching Sunday school. When she eventually left England for New Zealand her main regret was that she had to leave her Sunday school class. Young Reynolds had in the meantime gone out to New Zealand and after an absence of eight years returned to claim his bride. Knowing her keen interest jn religion he warned her that there would be no service at Taratahi, in New Zealand. However, she took her Bible in her hand and said, ‘Well I shall always have this.’ “She had not been long in Mayfield, probably two years, when Mr Duncan McGregor, who had been conducting Sunday school and services at Tarat'ahi, asked her to take a class. Had she been a modern mother she would have objected that she had a baby to look after, but such a small matter as a baby was no deterrent to these Godfearing pioneers. She willingly agreed to take a class and took the baby on the front of the saddle, for in those days there was no other means of conveyance. There were 11 babies and no doubt each in turn had the ride to Sunday school in order that the mother might teach and train those Taratahi children in the teachings and principles of Christianity, and what a tribute her own family are to her ability to train children. I was shown the old book of daily readings, now yellow with age, which Mr Reynolds invariably used at morning devotions. Men and brethren, if we only had the faith and courage to raise anew the family altar what could we not do for our children, our country and the Kingdom of God? So throughout the years she gave herself to the service of God and the district in which she lived. When she had her 100th birthday she was talking to us, and among other things she said she did not know why she was spared and other young, able-bodied people were taken, and added: ‘Perhaps it is io pray for those who will not pray for themselves.’ What a wonderful faith and perseverance and confidence in God she had. She was always busy mostly in latter years sewing or knitting for others. She was never idle, and through it all a happy cheerfulness which made it a delight to visit her. What a tribute to a well-spent youth. Life is what we make it in youth; ou; of the sowings of yesterday the fruits of today are reaped. If we sow to the Spirit, we shall of the Spirit reap Life Everlasting, and these fruits are enjoyed in time as well as in eternity. Our congregation has been honoured by her presence and support for the last 35 years, and those who knew her well and indeed all of us are prepared to pay a warm tribute to her Christian character, and thank God for her presence and example. We extend to the family, of whom Mr F. M. Reynolds is an elder in our congregation, our very sincere sympathy and rejoice with them in the assurance we have that she is safe home in the Father’s House of Many Mansions." Mr Davie’s references to the late Dr Cowie will be published tomorrow.