A PUBLIC WELCOME

Press, Volume L, Issue 15016, 10 July 1914, Page 9

A PUBLIC WELCOME

"POLITICAL PROPAGANDISTS."

The Rev. Mr Patorson was welcomed at.-a tea meeting in St. Paul's schoolroom at 7.30 p.m. and in the evening n very largo gathering assembled in tho Choral Hall for a similar Tiurposo. The Rev. Dr. Erwin, who presided, welcomed the Rev. Mr Paterson to Christehnreh. In the course of his address, ho said he hoped that tho reverend gentleman would bo heard on a wider plattorm than the pulpit offered. To the congregation of St. Paul's, he remarked that they would no doubt be talkin" about their new minister, and his advico to them was. "Tell his excellencies to men, and bis faults to God " The Mayor (Mr H. Holland), on behalf of tho city, hoped the new minister's mission here would be a benefit to the community. Similar addresses were made by the Rev. D. D. Itoiger (Moderator of the Chris>rimreh Pmbytarv). Rst\ J. J. Nortn (representing the Ministers' Association). Mr A. 5. Bruce (representing the Board ot Management of St. Paul's). Mr D- C. Burns (representing St. Paul's Krr VRm----V and Mj Georce Burn (on beHstt ot the your » r and the Rev- m* cocka (St. Join's Anglican Chnrcb>. The Rev. J. Paterson, m acknowledging the welcome given to him and replvinc to points made by the speakers, said that clergymen over hero seemed all political nropagandists, and talked nothing but politics. Personally he

had come to the conclusion that a minister did his best work in his own pulpit and among his own people. When he startod going round to advis© business men, it might so happen that ho "put his foot iii things." A minister should bo a spiritual power, sanding men and women into public life better eouinoed to deal with their problems. "I don't think that you will see mc very much on the public platform, continued the sneaker, "at least for some time. My first duty is to get to know you. and to build up St. Paul's so that it becomes a vital force in this community. That will tako up all of my time, "*'or the present at least. I deeply appreciate . the welcome of tbo Mayor. I shall become a citizen of this Dominion and take mv share m building no the public life of the community, but as a Christian minister I am going to try to do it more thro"~a my own work in St. Paul s. ' (ApP Amotion was unanimously carried protesting anninst any increase in tbo number of. racing permits.