MINISTER HONOURED

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 13

MINISTER HONOURED

Rev. R. J. Howie, St. Andrew’s CONGREGATION’S TRIBUTE Tribute was paid to the Rev. R. J. Howie, minister of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, by his congregation on Wednesday evening, when he and Mrs. Howie were the guests of honour at a social evening in St. Andrew’s Hall. Mr. J. Armour Thomson, session clerk of the church, presided. Mr. and Mrs. Howie were cheered and accorded musical honours as they entered, the hall, and bouquets were presented to Mrs. Howie and Mrs. Thomson. After the Rev. D. Calder had offered up prayer, Mr. Thomson made a speech of welcome to Mr. Howie, and read a letter from Mr. A. J. McKay, a former office-bearer of St. Andrew’s, at present in Townsville. Australia, who had recommended the congregation to send Mr. Howie a call. Mr. McKay, In his letter, said ho wished to .loin with the congregation in the tribute to Mr. Howie. Mr. Thomson said few realised the tremendous change that had taken place in the congregation since Mr. Howie s arrivah The roll number when Mr. Howie came was 200. Since that time 293 names had been removed from the roll, but this huge loss had more than been made good, because 413 new memberg had been added to date, the number on the roll to-day being 394. There had also been a steady growth year after year in the number at Communion. Mr. Thomson then presented an Illuminated address to Mr, Howie. Mrs. R. Pearson, on behalf of the ladies of St. Andrew’s, paid high tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Howie. A presentation of fish knives and forks was made to Mrs. Howie by Mrs. Pearson, and a presentation was made to each of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Howie.

Mr. J. T. Martin then spoke on-be-half of the board of managers of the church. “His sermons, besides disclosing the scholarly concentration on theological doctrine, reveal a lively appreciation of the fact that the present unrest touches every department of human life, and affects the very conception of religion,’’ said Mr. Martin. “His quiet manner, his note of culture, his freedom .from false rhetoric, conciliate thoughtful men and women, while his sincerity and persuasiveness all combine to make his sermons so impelling and impressive.” Mr. Martin also traced the improvement in the church’s financial income during the past seven years.

A photograph of the office-bearers of the church was presented to the minister by Mr. N. H. G. McFarlane. Mr. and Mrs. Howie suitably replied, saying that their years at St. Andrew’s had been most pleasant, and that they had made many friends.