HONOURING A VETERAN' CLERGYMAN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3096, 29 May 1917, Page 4

HONOURING A VETERAN' CLERGYMAN

The members of the Wellington Presbytery did a very fitting thing yesterday in celebrating by a social function the diamond jubilee of the Rev. James Patbbsok, senior minister of St. John's Presbyterian congregation in this city. For nearly fifty years Mr. Patbrson has* lived in Wellington, and has been ?n the highest sense an influence for good. When he camo from the Old Land by special call to be minister of St. John's in 3808 Wellington had only a, population of some 7000. He has not only' seen the marvellous growth of the city, but has taken his share in furthering its progress. For thirty-five years Mn. Paterson was solo pastor of St. John's, and when ho retired from the active ministry in 1903 he handed over to his successor a congregation aglow with life and unique in the completeness of its organisations. Mn. Paterson during those thirty-five years as sole pastor of St. John's,, though carrying a heavy burden of Church work, found a large amount of time to devote to furthering our national primary and higher systems of education. For years he was one of the most active members of tho Wellington Education, Board, and his knowledge of country districts was of great service to the Board and of great benefit to growing country districts that needed schools. Mil. Paterson all through has been endowed with a magnificent physical organism, and though he yesterday reached his eighty-eighth birthday, he is ablo to conduct a service with vigour and much acceptance. Sinco his retirement from tho active ministry he has been -able to do a largo amount of quiet service as pulpit supply and as * console] , of the sorrowing. Wo join with the Wellington Presbytery in wishing that days o! happiness and usefulness may be granted to one held in much esteem not only by his Church but by tho community.