THE LATE REV. F. W. ISITT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2939, 27 November 1916, Page 6

THE LATE REV. F. W. ISITT

A MEMORIAL SERVICE. A religious service in memory of the late Rev. Frank W. Isitt was held in Wesley Church, Taranaki Street, yesterday. It was a very representative gathering which met at the service to pay their tribute to the late Mr. Isitt, who was one of tho best-known of men in his church and outside of it. | Mr. Isitt came to Now Zealand fortyfive years ago tlien a young minister or the Methodist Church, being only twenty-five years_ of age. He came by the same ship winch brought to New Zealand tho present Prime Minister (Mr. Massey). It ivas as a Prohibitionist that Mr. Isitt was most [Widely known in this country, but he was not then a Prohibitionist. In his young manhood he was a moderate drinker, and was a defender of the moderate use of liquor, but in New Zealand, while in the ministry at Balclutha, he renounced his former ideas, and became an out-and-out advocate of total abstinence and Prohibition: In this cause he was a fearless fighter, and his opponents knew him for a doughty foe. He wore himself out in the service, however, and of later years failing health compelled liis retirement. The memorial service was conducted by the minister of the church- (the Rev. J- G. Chapman), and several other ministers of other denominations took part in the devotional portions of the service. These were the Rev. A". E. Jtunt (Congregational), tho Rev. W- ,T. Comrio (Presbyterian), and LieutenantColonel Brav (Salvation Army) Addresses 011 the late Mr.' Isitt's life and work were given by tho Rev,. A. Doull, M.A., of Palmerston Presbyterian Church', and the Rev. John Dawson, Mr. Isitt's successor as organiser of the New Zealand Alliance, and his friend for twenty-five years. Mr. Dmill spoke almost wholly of Mr. Isitt's work as a Prohibitionist, and Mr. Dawson of his character as a man, and of his service to the church as a minister of religion. Mr. Dawson concluded _ his address by submitting the following resolution, which was affirmed bv the congregation, all standing:—"That assembled in this memorial service, wo bog respectfully to express our sympathy with the relatives of the late Rev. Prank W. Isitt", and inspired by his memory, we hereby pledge ourselves to carry on with increased earnestness and determination the work to which ho devoted his life."