"UNCLE SCRIM."

Auckland Star, Issue 111, 13 May 1935, Page 3

"UNCLE SCRIM."

PUBLIC FAREWELL.

REV. C. G. SCRIMGEOUR. EXTENSION TO AUSTRALIA. Hundreds of people were unable to gain admission to the Town Hall last evening when the inauguration of the Friendly Road in Australia was enthusiastically commemorated at a thanksgiving service. Opportunity was also taken to farewell the Rev. C. G. Serimgeour, of the Friendly Road broadcasting station, IZB, who is to sail for Australia next Friday to institute the services there. Undoubtedly the feature of the service was the memorable tare well accorded the founder of the movement. The liall was filled to capacity half an hour before the service was tuned to begin, and those who were shut out were advised to go home and listen to the service, which was conducted by Mr. T. T. Garland, by radio. Among those on the platform were the Mayorelect, Mr. K. If. Davis, Messrs. W, J. Jordan, J. A. Lee, W. W. Massey, W. E. Parry, A. S. Richards and M. J. Savage, M.P.'s, members of the City Council, well-known artists of the IZB station, and enthusiasts of the Friendly Road movement. The singing was led by the Friendly Road choir of 300 voices, and an orchestra played during the evening. A small girl, Olive Freeland, said the lesson, and Miss Phyllis Hazel sang "Stranger of Galilee." No Fear of Failure. Mr. Serimgeour, who was given a tumultuous reception when he rose to address the gathering, said that the Friendly Road did not depend on one man, nor on the facilities of a broadcasting station, and there need be no fear of its failing because someone who had been in the limelight of the movement disappeared for a time. He was, ho said, leaving the affairs of the Friendly Road in good hands in tlie person of "Uncle Tom" (Mr. T. T. Garland). During King George's reign great changes had taken place and one migla think that even greater changes would take place in the next quarter-century. Man's lot. however, had become increasingly difficult, and unless something radical happened in the hearts of people and nations the new world would not come. Although democratic government was supposed to exist democracy had not been achieved. While war, an outrage against the sn ! r!i, of God, continued, while unemployment existed in a country so fortunately placcd as New Zealand, and while people lived in poverty amidst plenty the new world had not been reached. Division had been created where none existed, for the material and the spiritual could not be divided. It was by recognising problems such as those that the Friendly Road had been born and would prosper. "Distributed Happiness." On rising to present Mr. Serimgeour with a thanksgiving offering of £100 collected among the audience, the Mayorelect was heartily applauded. Mr. Davis also presented Mr. Serimgeour with a scroll, reading as follows: "On the eve of your departure for Australia, T join most heartily with many hundreds of listeners in expressing appreciation of the services you have given us through the Friendly Road, and in wishing von every success in your important Australian mission. Under your guidance the Friendly Road has reached an advanced stage of development in Xcw Zealand, and it is a source of intense gratification to me, as it must be to your large following of listeners, that a State in a sister Dominion has recognised the purpose of the work and seen (it to adopt its principles. Here you have distributed happiness in full measure and vour temporary absence from Now Zealand will involve a real sacrifico on the part of listeners and your wife and family. This sacrifice I feel sure is made willingly in the knowledge that the people of New South Wales are entitled to some share in the Iwneficial influence which you and the Friendly Road have exerted in New Zealand. In your mission we travel with you along the friendly road of thought and good wishes, trusting that the seed of inspiration which you plant in New South Wales will grow into a mighty tree of good will and happiness. God speed and kia ora." Speaking-on behalf of members of Parliament, Mr. Savage said that Mr. Serimgeour, not only by his religious work, but also bv his understanding and practice of humanitarian principles, had won his way into the hearts of liis fellow countrymen. His realisation of the meaning of service could well be studied by others.