TRINITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13225, 19 September 1908, Page 9

TRINITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

On Thursday evening a tea and pubjic meeting wero held by the members of Trinity Congregational Church as a welcome to their new minister, tho Rev. W. J. L. Closs, 8.A., and his family. A largo company sat down to ua in tho school hall at 6 p.m. at* small tables which provided means for social intercourse, and after tea the opportunity was taken of making personal introductions between nastor and people. At 7.30 p.m. "tho public meeting, at which a largo audience assembled, was held in tho church. Tho Rev. I. Sarginson, of tbo Linwood Church, occupied tho chair.

After prayers had been said tho church secretary, Mr Wm. Bull, read apologies and felicitations from many parts of the Dominion. These included somo eight telegrams and over twenty letters, among which wero communications from the Hon. Geo. Fowlds, tho Rev. D. Hird, the late pastor, and tho Central Congregational Church, Ipswich, Queensland, from which Mr Closs_has just come.

Th* Chairman, in his address, referred 1 to the high character of tho work their new minister had don© in Australia, and the splendid reputation with which ho came here. He called) on tho Rev. Mr Hunt, of Timaru, to speak on behalf of the Congregationalists of the Canterbury district.

Mr Hunt spoko of his experiences in tho churches Mr Closs had been pastor of in Australia, when as a missionary deputation he had visited those churches.

Tho Rev. W. Saunders, of Dunedin, referred to the fidelity, generosity, and warmth of life seen among the members of the Church, and predicted a successful future for tho new pastor, supported by such a band of earnest workers. He also spoke of tho largo place Congregationalists took as citizens and of tho necessity of a larger measure of attention to. the young people of tho Church and the nation.

Mr A. W. Beaven then welcomed the pastor on behalf of the Church. They were all delighted, ho said, to be so speedily settled, and they had already, taken to Mr and Mrs Clcss. Their new minister would find a great difference bfctwccu the large work he hod left and that of Trinity, but there wero ample opportunities and scope for his energies here. They wer© a somewhat conservative people, and ho hoped that Mr Closs would "go alow" and nob "hustle than too much." They woro prepared to do their utmost to be good to him. and trusted he would he good' to them.

After tho singinc of a hymn, tbo Rev. James Maxwell, President of tho Christchurch Ministers Association, expressed the gratification of the associated ministers at tho advent of Mr Closs, and said he felt assured that the moral and religious forces of the city would bo materially strengthenbd by his coming. Tho Rev. Gny Thornton also spoko.

Tire Rev. Mr Closs. who was received with loud *n r l- continued applause, declared himself overwhelmed by the> warmth of his welcome. He specially emphasised the large trust of the Church in that it had paid him the highest honour possible in calling him "on his record." r He honed they would not bo disappointed. He did not cam to make promises, but would rather let the future speak for iteelf. Ho could assure them, however, of his deep interest and affection for them. Tho hall and the church building wero tastefully decorated with flowers foliage. Musical items were contributed by Master Owen. Miss Fenn, and Messrs Bourne and Thompson.