FAREWELL TO MINISTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 142, 15 June 1920, Page 5

FAREWELL TO MINISTER.

i REV. F. A. THOMPSON. A large gathering of the congregation i and ex-members of St. Peter's Prasiby--1 j terian Church, Grey Lyim, took place in f| the church last evening, for the purpose > of 'bidding farewell to the Rev. and Mre. '- Thompson and family on the eve of ' their departure for Te Awamutu, to ■ which charge the 'Rev. Thompson re- ' cently received a call after a ministry of I tome eeven years at St. Peter's. The I Rev. R. L. Walker, M.A., of St. Jamee' ' Church, presided, and, after a short ■ musical programme, called upon the > Hon. G. J. Garland, session clerk, to 1 express the feelings of fhe people, which s Tree done in an apt epeeoh. The Hon. Garland referred especially to the meet, harmonious relationships which had exieted 'between the minister and all the officebearers of the church, to the faitliful and appreciated service rendered, and to the work amongst the young people. The 'Rev. Thompson, in replying, and ' in thanking the congregation for a handI some travelling rug and a purse pre- ' eenfced to him in tangible token of the ' ' people's goodwill, traced the liietory of ' his call to St. Peter's, events of his ministry, and the nature of hie present > call. 'He appreciated sincerely the ' Warm feeling which had existed towards • him and his throughout, and especially ' as ehown by the form of that gathering. ■He would carry away with him most L kindly recollections of tho earliest years ' of hie Presbyterian ministry spent at • St. Petrr'a. i The chairman referred to the esteem in which the-Rev. Thompson was held by ) his fellow ministers, and then called on . Mrs. Cowio to make a presentation to ' Mrs. Thompson on behalf of tho congre- ■ Rational branc 1 !! of tlio Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union. This wae I followed by tho presentation to Mjss Joyce Thompson, on behalf of the San- ■! day school scholars, of a handsoanely- ! hound 'Biblp. for which her father thanked them on h-or 'behalf. Presentations trero made on behalf of the various Bible classes at a previoue social ; piflieriTig. ! The Rev. Thompson is to bo inducted ' into tho charge of Te Awaonutn on Thursday evening next.