THE PASTOR OF ST. ANDREWS.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 20, 23 July 1903, Page 6

THE PASTOR OF ST. ANDREWS.

o APPRECIATION OF THE REV. MR. GIBSON SMITH. The general opinion in Presbyterian circles in Invercargill is that Wellington gains decidedly by Invercargill's loss .of the Rev. J. Gibson Smith, who has accepted the- call to St. Andrew-'s Church. When the " call " from Wellington came before the Southland Presbytery, the Rev. Mr. Gray, of Gore, who acted on behalf of the commissioners of St. Andrew's, said it was with mixed feelings that he supported the translation of Mr. Smith, but it seemed to him, laying aside all personal desires and feelings, that it was a necessity. Fronl what he •knew of Wellington, there was great need for one or two or more strong, intellectual, good, Presbyterian ministers. "¦Presbyterianism in the north was not like it was in the south, and at Wel""fingtbn ft -was at a- particularly low ebb. The portion of the city in which ,St. Andrew's is situated — Thorndon — was the fashionable part, and the most populous. It was close to Government House and the Parliament Buildings, and would be attended by the members and civil servants who were of the Presbyterian • denomination. .In St. Andrew's Church there was seating accommodation for 500 persons, but nothing like that number attended. There was a church to build up, and he firmly believed that the man who was to accomplish it had been found in the choice of the congregation. Mr. Gray referred to the success •of Mr. Gibson Smith's ministry in North Dune din and in First Church (Invercargill)/ Mr. T. M. Macdonald, on behalf of the First Church session, said the session recognised that Presbyterianism should .be well represented in Wellington, and that to establish in St. Andrew's a preacher of Mr. Gibson Smith's great labilities should do much toward the ¦ church's influence. -Mr. J. E. Watson, on behalf of the congregation, expressed the profound sorrow and regret felt by them at losing Mr. Gibson Smith. Since he came to Invercargill he had been a respected and revered pastor and the trusted and intimate friend of many. The First Church ¦was proud of its minister. At a subsequent meeting of the Presbytery the following motion was adopted :— " That the Presbytery place on record their high appreciation of the Valuable services rendered, by, the Rev. J."'_ Gibson ..."Smith during the last " nine years— as minister of First Church, Invercargill. Mr. Smith has honourably sustained the tradition of that important congregation. His pulpit ministra- ¦ tions, especially, have been of the very highest order and have still further en- .. hanced his reputation as one of the forejmost preachers in our church. Mr. Smith, despite the exacting duties and responsibilities 'of his pastorate, has also taken a prominent part at times in the arena of public affairs; and, with his ' voice and pen, ' has upheld the cause of troth and righteousness. The members of Presb"+«ry will miss the counsel of one whose advice always commanded their respect, and who took a full share of all the presbyterial work. They will likewise hold in grateful remembrance the brotherly spirit which Mr. Smith ever manifested towards all of them. The Presbytery express their sympathy with the congregation of First Church in losing the services of a minister so gifted as Mr. Smith. And, in parting with him, they pray that God may bless him, and make him a blessing in* the new and prominent sphere to which he has, in the Divine Providence, been called."