CALL TO MINISTER

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20987, 14 December 1939, Page 3

CALL TO MINISTER

REV. H. J. LILBURN SUSTAINED BY PRESBYTERY A special meeting of the Waikato Presbytery was held yesterday in Knox Church, Hamilton East, to deal with a call to the Rev. H. J. Lilbum to St. James’ Church, Auckland. In the absence of the moderator, (the Rev. G. A. Naylor), the Rev. J. C. Young presided. The Rev. G. Budd and Messrs C. Mathieson and J. Cuthbertson, attended from St. James’ Church, and spoke in support of the call, which was signed by 139 members of a total of 250, and was supported by a concurrence call signed by 23 adherents. Mr Budd gave a short resume of the history of St. James’ and indicated that the call to Mr Lilbum had been spontaneous. The other commissioners endorsed Mr Budd’s remarks. Messrs T. H. Henderson, J. C. Henderson, F. Williamson, J. C. Graham, G. O. Jones, M. Buist and J. Wallace, representatives of Knox Church, eulogised the work Mr Lilburn had done, and expressed the regret of the whole congregation at the prospective loss of the pastor. However, it was recognised that St. James’ charge offered greater opportunities for service, and they would place no obstacles in the way of his translation. As it was tersely expressed by Mr Henderson, Mr Lilburn “ had a great job and he had done it well.” The speakers also testified to the services rendered by Mrs Lilburn. Mr Lilburn having notified his intention to accept the call, it was placed in his hands, and Presbytery declared that the pastoral tie should be severed as from the date of the induction of Mr Lilbum in his new charge (January 31). The Rev. S. J. Atkins, of Frankton, was appointed interim moderator of Knox Church.

Several members of the Fresbytery eulogised the services to the church rendered by Mr and Mrs Lilburn and wished them success in their new sphere. Mr and Mrs Lilburn entertained the Presbytery at luncheon at the close of the business.