INDUCTION SERVICES AT WAITAHUNA.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2068, 30 November 1906, Page 5

INDUCTION SERVICES AT WAITAHUNA.

Tho Cluiha Presbytery met at Waitahuna on Wednesday aftQfawon Aw-., tha induction of tho Rev. J. S.'Ponder, Thcro were present :---Rev. li. Scott Allen, moderator pro. tern., and Messrs S. W. Currie and-G. Miller;ministers, and Mr MiSlattie, elder. Mr Allan preached an able and interesting sermon from the Epistle to the P-k.ilip-pians, chapter 1, verse 21, "For nje.to, live is Christ," and thereafter put to Mr Ponder the prescribed questions, and .inducted him. into, the pastorate of Waitahuna. The customary addresses to the new minister and to the congregation were given by Messrs Miller and Currie respectively, and at the close of tho service an opportunity was afforded those present of giving Mr Ponder a welcome as they passed out. In the evening, the members of the congregation assembled from far and near to take part in the welcome sootal. The Rev. Mr Allan, as interim mdderator, took the chair, and in a short spi:<vV. referred to his intercourse, uniformly so pleasant, with the Waitahuna session and congregation. As a very old friend of Mr Ponder he was exceedingly pleased in sequring him for such a near neighbour. Mr Allan then vacated the chair in favour of Mr Ponder. In the name, of the session,. the Managing.. Committee and congregation, Messrs McCaw and McAra, gave Mr Ponder, and his sister, Miss Ponder, a very hearty welcome. Mr McCaw also acknowledged the congregation's indebtedness to Mr Allan, and in its name presented him , with"a.cheque for past services. Mr : Allan briefly if turned thanks, and Mr Ponder, in a neat speech, well delivered, .referred to tho splendid welcome accorded to himself and his sister. He would have his. difficulties, but was '.' at the same time, assured of his people's sympathy and co-operation. 1 During the evening -a strong and :well-traincd choir, with Mr Patrick as leader, and .Miss Patrick as organist, •rendered very effectively a number of anthems ; solos were given by Misses Mackenzie, Livingston, and Patrick. Mr Shaw, student, from Dunedin, gave an amusing recitation. Slipper was handed round at the end of the programme, and the usual votes of thanks to the speakers, the choir, and the- ladies were proposed by Messrs Hose, Yorke and Garden, and heartily itirried.