REV. P. W. FAIRCLOUGH.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 167, 8 April 1908, Page 8

REV. P. W. FAIRCLOUGH.

■ FAREWELL TRIESUTE3. YOUNG 'PEOPLE'S GATHERING.' The Taranaki Street Schoolroom- was crowded last evening at a meeting held for ■the purpose of bidding good-bye to..the Rev. P. \V. Fairclough, F.R.G.S., who has been transferred for one year to Waimate, and for two following years to Dunedin. ■ Several farewell gifts were made to Mr. Fairclough, and tributes t-o his work and character were numerous and glowing. Tho Chairman (Mr. T. E. Corkill) stated that the gathering was representative of all the young • people's organisations. No minister of the church had given so much attention ta tho young men, and they had received tho news of Mr. Fairclough's departure with deep regret. Mr. L. Clark, secretary of the Wellington branch of the Christian Endeavour Union, said that tho status of Endeavourers 'in tho Church had been raised by Mr. Faiiclough. Ho'had also given the young men wise counsel, and strengthened their faith.' On behalf of the Bible Classes and the Christian Endeavour Societies he presented • Mr, Fairclough with a purse of sovereigns The Chairman explained that contributions to the gift had been purposely limited, but it had been subscribed to by. practically every member of the bodies represented.' Mr. T. Ralph, speaking for tho ladies'. Bible Class,; dwelt oh tho way in which' Mr. Fairclough had upheld the dignity of tho pulpit in a timo when religion was so often caricatured, and preaching made a showman's ollice. Ho only regrettea' that Mr. Fairclough had never represented them on tho University Senate. Mr. G. Keall, representing tho Young Men's Class, expressed 1 the appreciation and esteem in which : Mr. Fairclough was hold by them. Tliey had found'it difficult to understand him at first, because his addresses led them to a higher intellectual'piano than that to which j they .were, accustomed, but afterwards they had found his' infiuenco' of tho greatest, value. .Mr. Keall also referred to Mrs. Fairclough's earnest co-operation in her husband's work.' 1 , ■Mr..E. 1. Burgess, vice-president of tho Literary and' Debating Society, made a similar presentation to the last on behalf of tliat body, and expressed their appreciation of Mr. Fairclough's" services and regret; at his' departure. The width and liberality ; of his views had-tended very much to. broaden the vjews of the.Society, and hp doubted if any other president that'body had 'possessed a finer mental calibre or wider reach of intellect than Mr. Fairclough. . His literary and scientific' attainments had'also been of great usefulness. Sister Isabel presented-Mr. Fairclough with a souvenir from tho Tory Street Mission. Mr. H. Sanson, on behalf of the congregation, presented tho retiring minister with a' purse of. sovereigns, and testified ,to the esteem in ■ which he was hold. ; The Rev. W.. J. Williams, of the Newtown Methodist Church,' said that, while he had 'not always agreed witli Mr. Fairclough, tho high, opinion, of him, which he had formed. 'at .their first . meeting, when Mr! Fairclough .camo to Now Zealand from Australia. had been more than confirmed by after, knowledge. . If : the members of the Methodist Church were entitled; to elect a representative on - tho - ;University Senate, their choice of Mr. Fairclough as the most suitable man, for tho,.-position'would be unanimous. , . Tho Rev. C. Porter, Methodist Minister at Thorndon, said that Mr.' Fairclough had not had moro, appreciative hearers in the city than 'he had found among the Thorndon congregation.; Ho would miss Mr. Fairclough's words, his friendship, his influence. Mr. Fairclough, "who"'was' hailed with cheers, said that his dealings'with the young people had been a recreation rather than part ;off' his;'<wprjt..;-,;He- thanked, them for their kind words and eude&vour to cheer and stimulate'. him., . , Thochurch; societies had. lielpecl'.him. iri 'overy,'posah'le way,' and made his intercourse with them very pleasant. Ho felt that he had'not been uo to the level of his predecessors in the tilings that , they had done, but" ho had r dono somo things that , they had/not done. He ex-, plained how lie , had lightened the financial burden on Street Church by his administrative suggestions in respect of Johnsonville and Thorndon. People had learned that it was possible to taper off liabilities instead of always increasing them. By lightening their... responsibilities towards outside districts they were, assisted to carry on their . proper: work, the extension, pf .the Church's work in this city. There were varieties of gifts, and it was'ono of the finest, points in their itinerancy system that it onabled all kinds of gifts in 'turn' to benefit the- same people.' They would welcome in a week or two his ■ successor (tho Rev. ,/.S. J. Serpell, of "Timaru). a most estimable , and - lovable preacher—he; .knew him well", and liked him well; Ho'felt sure that"Mr; Serpell would stir and warm their hearts, and that ho would .possess qualities that had been found wanting ir) him. On. behalf of Mrs. Fairclough and himself ho thanked them for their kind gifts and wellwishes. '' "• ■ : The 'gathering then''. sang " For he's a jolly good .fellow,"-'in '.Mr; Fairclough's honour: . t. : . .• - Musical and other items were given, bv tho following:—Misses Herd (2), Dix, and Mueller, Dr.: Brown, Messrs. Kemsley 'and G: S. 'Chisholm. . Mr. Fairclough' leaves fof his nevv ch'arpe to-day. • , • ~V - .■ ■ ; NEW. ZEALAND ALLIANCE. ; ■ Yesterday at midday members arid friends of, the New Zealand Alliance met'at Godber'sßooms, Cuba Strcoi, 'to' bid'.farewell to tho Rev. P. \Y.- Fairclough , and\Mrs. Fairclough. : After liineheOnthe Rev:'J. Dawson,(Chairman of- tho Executive) • expressed the deep regret with which he.'arid all meriibers' of the Executive viewed Mr.- : Fairclough's approaching departure. They felt : 'that ho had been one of 'their-'ablest councillors; arid ever ready .to undertake any-. work' suggested ,to him. No member of the Executive nad bceu' more attentivo or more, efficient, and while they realised that ho would be of great service to the cause in Waimate,'they very mucli regretted his removal fro;n an important centre. •' ••• i; . The Rev. W. J. Gomrie' (President of tho Wellington City No-License Rev. W. J. Williams (President of tho • Welliiigtoh No-License Council), Revs. J. J. North, A. Dewdnoy, and F.'"lsitt, Mr. A. R. Atkinson, Mr. H. Sanson, and Hon. C. M.,- Luko all joined in expressions of ajweciation and regret. Mr. Fairclough, in response, 1 said ho thought that his services-had been overrated, but bo felt that combat with the groat evil of tho liquor traffic was an essential part of a minister's duty. •• '-■.:' The following resolution was adopted: "As this, is the last meeting .that the Rev. P. W.,' Fairclough will attend as a member of tho Executive, tho meeting ' resolves to place on record its sense, of ' the great 'value of the services he has rendered, and its sincere'-: regret that, owing to his removal.'from Wellington, his retirement has . become inevitable. For the four years during which lie has been a member of. the Executive liis attendance at tho meetings, has been most exemplary, and his counsel and help, have always been highly prized. , He has.' shown a whole-hearted devotion to the ' groat object. for which tho Allianco oxists, and by voice ; and pen. has most ably and intelligently advocatod its claims. He has won the cordial con-, fidcnco. of all the mombers of the Executive as a genial companion, . a loyal comrade, and a fearless fighter in the canso of. moral reform. The sense of loss sustained by tho'Executive is miti- .' gated by t,he consideration that Mr; Fairclough will not be lost to the fighting force of the Dominion, but will transfer : . to another part of the field the same wisely-directed energy that he lias shown in Wellington. Wherover he may go he ' will always bo 'remembered' with grateful esteem by his former > comrades on the Executive, who will;not - fail to pray that his future may be crowned with the , best kind of sucoeM," ,