A POPULAR MINISTER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10704, 31 March 1926, Page 8

A POPULAR MINISTER.

TRESENTATION FROM CHURCH.

Ar attractive personality and an ear- . ■ mest~desire to help Lis fellow men are characteristics that have won a wide '1 circle of friends for the Rev. 1. W. Vealie. during the seven years he Has ' been pastor of the Barm- Square Methodist Church, and the high esteem in which both Mr and Mrs; Vealie are ' held was demonstrated last evening, when the old church was packed on , .the occasion of a farewell social prior " to Mr Vealie's departure to take charge of the Auckland Central Circuit.. Mr F Frampton presided,, and mtro- ' dueed the various speakers. Apologies were received from the Revs. «»• *• Wiseman (St. Stephen's) and W. Marshall (Tinwald Presbyterian Church). The Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) who uvas greeted with applause,, said that, ' having in mind the purpose of the gathering he could not say that he was pleased to be present. He regretted • having to say good-bye to Mr and Mis "Veahe both of whom had earned the love and respect of so many people. .Since he had welcomed Mr \eahe to Ashburton some seven years ago, he had seen him frequently, and he could say that the town was now losing a valuable citizen. He referred to the .assistance rendered by Mr Vealie at -' Anzao Day Services and also mentioned his good work in connection with the " Ministers' Association. Mr \ eaho s energy and zeal had also resulted in the erection of the new church. which now .stood as a monument to his work in Ashburton. He wished Mr and Mrs Vealie and family every happiness in their new home. , . :'■ The Rev. A. G.-Irvine, on behalf of ■the Ministers' Association and the Presbyterian congregation, said the _ ministers of the town all regretted Mr \ea£S departure from the district where he had worked so hard and with such • Sod results. Referring to Mr Veahe s ' fuccessor (the Rev. R B. Tin-ley ,Mr Irvine said that Methodists would be honoured by haying such a pastor.. in"conclusion he paid a tribute to the fondness and courtesy cf Mrs Vealie. Mr G W Leadley, for the local preachers, expressed the greatest appreciation of Mr Vealie's work. He ie- , "minded those present of the tremenaous '■ amount of work dcne.by the harmtes necessary, and insufficiently^appreciated local r P--^ barfcei . on benf f of the Sunday-school stall added a few words ■ expressing the great worth of Mi: \ea lie and wishing the departing guests -every success and happiness. Mr F Frampton, m presenting Mr Vealie with a wallet containing a sub- . .stantial sum, said that their pastor had ' i always maintained the dignity of las high office, and had never once disapSted the church members Mr ge had done his duty for the good of men. In conclusion, he paid a tribute ito Mr Vealie's tactfulnesshardvork, ability. Mrs Vealie, ' too, had proved her worth.

Mr vealie's Acknowledgment.

Mr Vealie, in thanking those present for their generous gift, and for the kind expressions concerning his wife and himself, said that, frankly speaking, he did not like the limelight. He preferred to work in the background, 'and he was never so happy as when he was working for the Master. He deeply regretted leaving Ashburton. "You have a beautiful town here, Mr Mayor, -and I have always admired the fine gardens and the Domain," added Mr 'Vealie. "I am now leaving your beautiful citv to go to the town of Auckland !."" Continuing, Mr Vealie said he was proud of "the church on the corner." 'He had not done much in putting it there, but he was glad to know that .he had had a hand in the work. The new church stood as a monument to the •■.energy, ambition and heroism of "the people called Methodists" in Ashbur- • ton. The speaker eulogised the work < *of the local preachers and recalled the .' time when he himself worked in that ; . (Capacity, taking three services m one ■day and walking 12 miles. Proceeding, ; ie said that during the seven years he •-, had been in Ashburton he had been

wii/U wis cauitn uivuiuvib iu i/iion »ui- %£ tows and joys, together they had la- " ' (boured on. They felt, however, that •God had gre&tly blessed them all. Mr , YeaJie said he would never forget tbe and consideration that had been shown him during his illness—he ■• would never forget the Methodist ■Church of Ashburton. / In the course of the evening an appreciated musical programme was rendered. The items were as follow: Anthem, choir; song, ' Mrs Gandell; song, Mr Wishar't; trio, Mesdames H. Biggins, R. Featherston and Miss E. Prentice; part song, Mr W. G. Corbett .and male voices; duet, Mrs Gandell and .Mr H. Clemo; part song, choir. Mr Corbett acted as accompanist. The proceedings were brought to a, , ' 'dose after a tasty supper had been .served by the ladies. Gift from Ladies' Guild. At a meeting of the Methodist Ladies Parsonage Guild, Sister Mildred, on be"half of the ladies, presented Mrs Vealie ; with a Donlton jug. Mrs J. ,W. Baker also spoke. Mr Vealie suitably re■sponded. The following gave items : Piano •■solos,, Mrs T. Lush and Miss R. Porter ; songs Mrs Gandell; vocal duets, Mesdmnes 'A. Elack and R. Featherston; violin solo, Mrs F. Wills; reeita- ..": -rtion, Miss E. Harries. I