MEMORIAL SERVICE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 17, 31 October 1938, Page 4

MEMORIAL SERVICE.

THE LATE MR A. A. C. LION. Memorial services for the late Mr A. A. C. Lion, Presbyterian home missionary, were held yesterday throughout the Springburn Charge, the preacher being the Rev. L. V. Bibby. Referring to the quiet labours of the Home Missionaries of the Church, Mr Bibby said the greatest things often appeared the smallest; this small flowering plants were the crown of development in the world of botanical life. “We should thank God for the men who preached the Gospel under difficulties in the sparsely settled areas, and, who, accepting their work as a trust never burden their fellows with its difficulties,” lie said. Mr Lion was trained in the Bible Training Institute at Glasgow, and arrived in New Zealand early in August 1914. On being accepted by the Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Quitch he served for years as pioneer missionary at Orari. To consolidate the new work there it was necessary for him to arrange for the building of a new manse and the transference of two churches from Timaru. He served subsequently at Patea, Pongoroa, Tautapere, Hedgehops, aiio Springburn for terms of about four years in each' Station. The work in some of these places involved, much difficult travelling and organising. At Pongoroa, in the days of the horse and sulky, he had to preach at thirteen places, some of them over uventy miles from thte centre. Sometimes the roads were axle deep in mud. Springburn he arranged occasional services at Lake Heron, where he was received with appreciation for his extra labour on an already full Sunday.. Mr Lion took an active interest in all organisations which made for the welfare of the districts where he resided. He was a member of the Masonic and Orange Lodges. Hje had been either secretary or chairman of school committees for twenty years and also took a prominent part in the furthering of shows for horticultural purposes. At Tuat-apere he started a horticultural show which developed into t'he Agricultural and Pastoral Show. For this lie was made a life member of the society. It. was characteristic of the man that he always put the claims of the Church before his own comforts and his quiet generosity was always awake to the needs of the poor. He was a child in malice, but in spiritual livng he was a man of God.