REV. L. B. FLETCHER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 97, 26 April 1932, Page 3

REV. L. B. FLETCHER.

FAREWELL SERVICES.

town hall packed.

Farewell services held by the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher on Sunday were crowded both in Beresford Street Congregational Church, in the morning, and the Town Hall at night. Mr. Fletcher took charge of Beresford Street Church in 19-24. In the years that have passed since then the church lias been raised once more to a flourishing state, and a largo new Sunday school building has been erected, at which there ife a large attendance. In addition, Mr. Fletcher found time to do a great deal of outside work for Congregationalism in New Zealand, and had much to do with reviving the Christian Endeavour movement in this city. In addition, he has regularly addressed the children over the radio. At the morning service in Beresford Street Church on Sunday. Mr. Fletcher inducted his successor, the Rev. A. V. Whiting, and also received 45 new members. Mr. Fletcher leaves Auckland on Thursday to conduct youth campaigns in various centres in New Zealand, and then goes across to Sydney to hold a mission in that city. He expects to leave for England early next August, to take up an appointment as evangelist for the World Evangelisation Trust, which was formed in London as a result of the London Youth Evangelistic Campaign of 1930-1, of which Mr. Fletcher was one of the leaders. This trust has acquired the property of the Mildmay Conference Centre, London, which has an auditorium seating 2500, and is equipped with a hospital, houses for carrying on social service, and accommodation for holding religious conferences and conventions. From this centre it is intended to conduct a vigorous evangelistic crusade, embracing the whole of the British Empire. In the course of his address at the Town Hall on Sunday night, Mr. Fletcher said: "I have done my best during the past eight years, and if I have brought anyone in Auckland a blessing I am glad of it. My one desire is to serve my God and my fellow men to the best of my ability." Sir George Fowlds paid a tribute to the great work accomplished by both Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher. Speaking on behalf of the deacons of the church he said: "Those of us who remember the conditions of the church at Beresford Street before Mr. Fletcher came can only look on with wonder at the progress made. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher have accomplished splendid work, and we believe the church will continue to prosper under the leadership of Mr. Flctcher's successor, the Rev. A. V. Whiting."

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR

About 1000 Christian Endeavourers and their friends assembled at the Baptist Tabernacle last night. The Rev. Joseph W. Kemp, president of the Auckland C.E. Federation, was in the chair. The retiring president of the N.Z. Union, Rev. Lionel Fletcher, welcomed in the officers of the union, and invested them with the badge of office, viz., Rev. A. N. Scotter, B.A. president, Revs. A. S. Wilson and H. K. Kempton, and Mr. Kenneth Melvin, Auckland vice-presi-dents, and Mr. Noel Carless, general secretary. On the motion of the Rev. J. Olphert, and seconded by the Rev. John Pattison, of Pukekolie, a resolution was passed recording with great gratitude to God the wonderful impetus and inspiration given to the movement by the coming to New Zealand eight years ago of the Rev. Mr. Flecher. It described the revival of Christian Endeavour in New Zealand as one of the spiritual romances of our time. A presentation was made to Mr. Fletcher, and he was made a life vicepresident of the N.Z. Union. __ ,