THE REV. B. S. GRAY.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14513, 20 December 1912, Page 8

THE REV. B. S. GRAY.

A PUBLIC FAREWELL. A public farewell was tendered to the Rev. R. S. Gray (who is leaving Christchnrcb for Dunedin) and Mrs Gray in the, Oxford terrace Baptist Church last night. Mr. J. G. Fraser (president of the New Zealand Baptist Union) presided. During the evening Mr Gray was presented with two "cheques and Mrs Gray with a silver entree dish, whiles/Mrs Kersley (Mrs Gray'a mother) and Miss Kersloy also received presentations. There, was a large attendance. Mr J. G. Fraser said there wore ministers and" ministers. There were good ministers, apd while he had never met a bad minister, there wore inamerent ministers. Mr Gray belonged to the first class; ho was a good minister. Mr 8. R. Ingold also paid a tribute to Mr Gray. THe referred to the progressive spirit introduced by Mr Gray and a said that sirco Mr Gray came to Christchurch he had been instrumental in .establishing churches at Linwood and at, St. Albans. Tho Mayor (Mr H. Holland) said that Mr Gray was one of those who believed that there was a great deal to do outside the piilpit, and he had done much good work in social matters. Tho city, he said, was indebted to Mr Gray for his work in xiplif and bettering the lives of a section of the people. In tho social element of the city there was ample room for every man to do some good. Sneaking on the NoLicerso cause Mr Holland said that he know of/no mnn in Christchurch— unless it was Mr Isitt—who had done better work in this matter than Mr Gray. In conclusion Mr* Holland ex pressed ,regret at the departure of, Mr and , Mrs Orny. for he said the city had room for'many people of the typo of Mr and Mrs Gray. Mr L.M. Isitt. M.P:. said Mr Gray had not cor fined his efforts to the pulpit, but he' believed that the truo servant of Christ must be a reformer. Mr Gray had worked heart and hand to promote every good cause and fear- ; lofts'v fight every bad canso. Other spnnkws +hf» Rev. W. S. Lawy. tho T? ft v, D. S. Mneon, the Roy. T. A. Willies, the Rpv. J. I/vtf Mr A. OMsey, Mr W. Hrv p Tniestor, Sister Grace, and Mrs Ford.

Mr Qr,nv. in tin ntroropHate speoch, ro+urnocl'.his +T)irV<t for the rnTs o r>tation nnd Pxnmesed his regret at leaving Christchnrch.