THE REV. ADAM BEGG.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20916, 25 July 1933, Page 12

THE REV. ADAM BEGG.

RETIREMENT FROM HIGHFIELD CIIURCII. (61'EclAI., TO THK rilhSh.i TIMARLT, July 24. Members and adherents of St. Paul's Church, Highfield, gathered this evening to say good-bye to the Rev. Adam Begg and Mrs Begg. Mr Begg is retiring after 15 years' service as minister of the church, and was at one time Moderator of the General Assembly, the highest position open to a Presbyterian minister in New Zealand. He was ordained 39 years ago. _ The Rev. A. J. H. Dow, who presided, said that Mr Begg had always been willing to give counsel and encouragement to those who needed it. All who knew them spoke of Mr and Mrs Begg with love and respect. The Rev. W. McNeur, Moderator of the Timaru Presbytery, said that it was pleasing to know that Mr Begg was not leaving the district. He had merely been promoted from the pulpit to the pews. He had been faithful to his trust, and the fine church in which the gathering was being held was a monument to Mr and Mrs Begg. Others who paid a tribute to Mr and Mrs Begg were the Rev. H. L. Seivig, representing the Ministers' Association, Mr W. Renton, sessions clerk, Mr McKirdy (deacon's court), Mr J. J. Freeman (congregation), Mrs Gilliat (Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union), Mr Thompson (Bible class), Mr Riddley (Sunday school), Mr McInnes (choir), Mrs Arthur (Band of Hope), Mr Tom Curr (Young People's Society), and Mr Manthorpc (boy scouts).

On behalf of the congregation, adherents, and friends, Mr Dawson, one of the oldest members of the church, presented Mr and Mrs Bcgg with an illuminated address, a copper woodbbx suitably inscribed, and two volumes of the shorter Oxford dictionary. Mr Begg was presented with a set of bowls with a leather case and a pair of bowling shoes. Mrs Begg was presented with a tea set from the choir and the women of the congregation.

A Work of Privilege,

Mr Begg, replying, said that ministers' work was a glorious privilege and one of the most beautiful services a man could take up. During his ministry at Highfield, he had baptised 243 persons, married 170, and buried 107. It was a great joy to him that the building in which they were able to work had been erected during his ministry. He had been thinking that time passed quickly. After 15 years out of a session of six members only two were left in office, and out of nine members of the Deacon's Court only one was left. He was thankful for the co-operation he had received from the members and the courts and th ,® various departments connected with the church. While Mrs Begg and himself felt that they had left undone many things they would have liked to uJ *u a * e sarn ® time done iSmHanfu, C ° Uld 3nd they had been abundantly compensated.