THE REV. DR. MORLEY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11245, 10 April 1902, Page 5

THE REV. DR. MORLEY.

FAREWELL RKFIIIENCKS AT

DUPvHAM srßE>rr uhurch. Opportunity was taken at tho social gathering held in. connection with the Durham street Wesleyan Church last night to bid farewell to tiie Rev. Dr. Morloy, wliose first conaectiou with the ckirch dates back twenty-six years, and who' Is leaving on Friday for Melbourne, to take up the position of acting-niaiiaging treasurer of the Supernumerary Ministers' and Widows' l ? und, to which he -was-appointed by .the Brisbane Coi>£ercnte last year. There, was a lai-ga tvt-tendance, the sclioolroom being liMutJ in every part. Mr G. J. Smith, i\fc.H.Jft., presided, and, in intimating that tka business customarily dene a,t tha gathering would be curtailed in order to bid farewell to Dr. Morley, said they hoped that Dr. Moriey's severance from the church would only* be for a while, and that they would shortly have tbe pleasure of vreloonv ing him buck.

Mr C.' W. Turner, one of the original trustees of the church, said that the trustees had evtr looked upon Dr. Morley as tiheir adviser and friend, and 1» had done his utmost oa behalf not only of Durham street Church, but of every in the colony. It wus on April iOth, 1876, 'that l)r. Morley hud lirst taken his seat as superintendent of the circuit . At the next quarterly meeting Dr. Modey showed his determination to help forward the church by having a resolution passed that a. ehurah and parsonage be erected at Sydenham, at a cost of £3500. The whole" Church in Now Zealand hod been in the habit of looking up to Dr. Morley for counsel and advice, and as a prudent man he stood today deservedly in th* first pjkoe in the Methodist Church. (Applause.) Hβ moved the following on 'behalf of the trustees: — "The trustees, office-bearers, and members of this ehmtsh and congregation on this, tha eve of the Rev. Dr. Morlcy's departure for Melbourne, gratefully acknowledge the many services rendered by him, not only to Methodism generally, but more especially to tliis church and circuit, dluring tfma many yeara lie Mβ been identified therewith. He has- ever shown a desp interest in its affairs, both temporal and spiritual. His organising ability, his pastoral work, and bis earnest evangelical preaching, have tended largely to build up the church and promote tl*e success of its work. They bag to assure him that not only -will he ba greatly missed, but that he Trill carry with him their affection and good wishes, and tiiair prayers that God may bless him in his new sphere, and make Mm abundhntlv useful. They also wish, for the members of his family, to whom they ore indebted' for much service, a happy and prosperous life in the new land to which they go" He (Jxr Turner) wished to add they hoped that i»r. Morley would be so successful in hand-1 lu'i greafcmattera lm bad t«*e»i » W that they would in two yeara ha,v e the sanction of «eemg that fund in a proper d , sou . nd he ™uld [then return to this colony. (Applause.) Mr Harrington seconded the motion, n ,\T, °* ****** "by acclamation! -Uγ. a&rtej cud .that in soma .respects— and he knew tlhey. would not misubdentand urn-he would have gl nd if he had te ft"f wdeal of that evening. ■w * f h f ad be3a •***« list a perfect rush of memories had cometo &.. ft™ ■ Z fr *? ** Xhnt Jlis wrt «* poJtwo m thtJ! Lcb^J st CJlurch ™» ™*w * \ o o o^.^^yt:ri lJ s^d^^- 11^^ 611 upon v J ,- for the vitality of be , re ™'fcH that, compared Siffl M fe*ss S many members and adherent. TWoS of departmental toen, epeeiidlv in itfethod! ism, was discounted, uisd tJiough he was ■■ connexiorml man. ho ted strivm lv to gat ,ack Uuurarit work. • H« re- £"*! *° *^. CM «derati o ,i mended fohhn le ' u t ,s } . stwa t Ohurch,when he weni to Jiaglond in providing for the needs of ■flr.fe and family as if he h& S ought to msntson, ie Si ud, two gendemen to whom he-had been indebted eVer SnS ha came to Canterbury, Messre 0. W aer and W. Harris. Keferring to the fart that of ifioriS* on the church, lie said they ought to be β-ble to clear it off- in tfeee months men they had done that they should finiX tS . church. Fo r £2000 it the fcnmdsomest ilethoditrt plnice m the colony. :If t j, ey Luted £ parang message from him, it would l>ethen, if they liked to ask him, he would come over and preach ef the'opening eervice. Referring to the position te was going .to take- up, he said Uhat a.number ofgentlemen outside «he church had said, Well, I supmose you are going & better your portion?" As •» matter of fiwt-hi , was going to be a little worse off ' j The Rev. Dr. EhnsHie eaid Dr. Morley was one of Jiis oldest ministerial friends in tho colony, and iftheir first quarrel tod vet »tafceplaee. He assured Dr. Morley that all sections of the Christian community I regretted his departure, which -would not 1 only leave tJie Methodist Church the poorer, but b'jso tJio Christian chuioh and the colony as a -whole poorer. + ?T!] g ? e vocal items were contnbuted by mambers of the choir aod Masses Duncan and Andrew and Mr Mason. , The Rev. air Baumfccr r ead a letter fiHwn the Ministers Association, expressing their regret at Dr. Morley's departure,' and refemng to .his hearty co-operation in every movement bearing on die welfare of the C xFX i?° reiu ? tele e™n from rnnaru Methodists washing Dr. Morlev God speed and a speedy relturn." '