FUNERAL SERVICE AT ST. JAMES'.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1392, 28 July 1874, Page 2

FUNERAL SERVICE AT ST. JAMES.

In* the fdrepoon service on Stmday/m Sj,., James' Presbyterian Chin eh, 0? v/tedi Chdreitthelate'Mr W."Eattray : w.^ an offios-r bearer, the P^v R. ¥? Maenipol, pgßtgjffiff the Congregation, preached &< serak«ar,i--«»h? special reference to 4hs, 3e|eate4. taking lor bis text, John ix., 4, M*l;;-ffitet r .Jrorfctte \vcrks of him' that eeni me wifcile Itiajdayj the night cometh when no man/can'^rK.1' In concluding his discourse M* Mfttenic^fljiid, '} Dear brethren, it hath pleased rthe^ftraJo remove from our, midst at beloved foothenk* (jhrisi and a zealons and dev.o{€d "cffice| bekrer ;0f this cong^egation^^jiie^whp^j., naturally energetic spirit^ Bei^g subject to the .sanctifying andT gtjtoing-. iuflnenpe^ [iivine »race, was no mean'exsinpief or a Christian wqrker."" IfcJwasTitt this|issp"eefc we w^e perhaps chiefly led-to admffe his character £* ire held intercourse and counseir together in cotineCt?.on with the Lptd^GrkJ, amongst us; while at #§ jai>ne time^we could not but be impressed v/ith Ahaevideac* wh^eh his whofe .bearing >**O& conduct 3 afforded tit his being.not only a|ealonsand active, but also a loving disciple of the Lordofcsus t3£^Pg ot'my intention; to pronounca S TeflgKfttf&l eulof-ium upon the character aodgrac^rtoW deceased brother, as" this, I-ftm convinced, *..;. not neceasary to deepen the.>Vo^nd;^vet?.s ence which you will cherj^fcrrhk^mory .?,*. aud lam also aware tba^tomatiy-of fott^T, was mach longer, -a&d ~ VP^%^£t,» mately know itim -^ffyi«lt..,- w it only just to his'^Te'nxoiy, .and^ my ; "duty * to vGu- *>■ call to mind &#. Qhnstian e^" 58 loncies Which adorned ,the r H*ara^ter and,,, save usefulness ai?d beattiy to ihe|rfe-«i,;p«R eparted friend. From,afi fe«. w§ have learned of his history tiis 'life -seems t«*have> been a peculiarly peaceful, usefttrandsuc^ cessfal one. Mr. Battray wSabom at iSakirk, in Scotland, in *lS22jVancL^as the's^»/of-.«■»; minister ol^the United Eretby%erian e^irch.^ He began his active, business careetia'the City of Glasgow; whither be' went^gwtt* ; vouno man to obtain a knowledge that mercantile pursuit which be had res^^to follow. His business connections 08' pects led him afterwards to Londonptere ie resided for some jears^before leavmg Britain:for this colony. While m ; :W^ he was'connected with the late Dr^James Hamilton's congregation, and profitedimaoh from the services of, that eminent master. ; He arrived.in thia colony (*& 21 yeaW ago^ , Immediately on his arrival connect^, i; Eimself with St. Andrew'a^oDgregltaon jpw this city, and was ordain^relderan connection with the same 1860. Prior to, .that date, ? and Tor f»^ ei?2 ' time afterward's,lie 'acted as aup^.end|nt^ of St. And^w'aSnndaySchodl.andce^sedto hojd thatoffice only on his resolving^;c<»nect himself with this congregation ,at if^ commencement. * About ten L yeajs ago^UU ? system sustained a rather severe shock rrem i an internal . disorder, whicV-.to .a considerable extent unfitted him fa^the constant and arduous duties of Sabbath Bchoot ?OTk, and he was obliged to confine himseK;t|. -toe. \n-djnary duties of the eldership m^nection with this'church. . From first to. l^our dear brother maintained a deQp.anCer^.iu the young. While still qnijfc a young m*? £ Glasgow He connected- himself^ *}?&,ff* Raised School movement,, then fancy, and wrought diligentLy m connection with it. And until the end he .ducted hii attention to the -welfare of enddfen: of the destitute class. Within•* very 1^ of his death he topk th.eV opportuijit4^ -»nal Sabbath afternoAns ;of I tvo^ ?™ to the children of^he,Oftt; °? te-r?-. T* '4 --h institution hf was , gious matow. -,;; ac tiv^nem--5 dustrial Home, of ,4 - t ._,,».^ .'. is3|*«ndtf , one of the founders, and * hio»»-^ " : ; r ber of the committee wniofiT^B^-;- ---[ to its management. AsV a - Wtwett , . our brother held an honourable s}>lace. [ Of his charaoker in that, oapaoity, K[!n*Bd ; only say that the deep regret^sfejjils.J.osß<. . expressed by all the community fully t^sfcifie* . to the high esteem in whichthe.wa^the?^-, : As his life was, so was his.dea^. 2:His;-eAi ' was peace. His was not a rapturSas transit but a calm entrance into resfcviNo-trintn- ' phant expressions came front himj^bHt h« went on hia way peaceably :a"na::jferus||Qlly to that biased jand wheref^eatfi'diwdeo friends shall meet never ag'ain^to par^^ivHe j entered the dark valley confiding? in-tfejl-1j?,,, and leaning on the, strength of. thatt 'Fft«» whom he had long known—the.'•'JFriepd;^* sticketh closer than a- brother."' &?&s*§, memory of his consistent and acSve'ChtTHp^ life stimulate all of us to greater.eneVg^ and | fidelit3>- in the service of our. blessed -Ijor« » let it be ours.as; we^believe it ?was hw stant aim to live and'labour inu the slftiri| _ the maxim, which our Saviour*h^s giyei£|^ d * by whidh bur Kves as truly as .His oHghfr-f?* j to be*influenced,: "I must wprk thg^W; 7 'of Him that, sent '.me while.it is d»yij JP? / night oornetb, yr he» ao man e«wr woj^ 1 < ii