THE REV.DR.GIBB. TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1908, Page 4

THE REV. DR. GIBB. TWENTY-FIFTH ANNI VER S ARY OF ORDINATION.

The office bearers ol St. John's Church cijlortained their minister, the Rev. Dr. Gibb, in tho Dixon-strect Hall last evening. The occasion was the twenty-fifth anniversary of Dr. Gibb s ordination. Tho rev. gentleman will shortly leave on six months' furlough, and intends visiting the Old Land In company with his wife. Tho parishioners attended in large numbers to do honour to their minister, and the meeting was a very enthusiastic one. Apologies for non-attendance wero received from Bishop Wallis (who waa away at Wanganui), the Revs. J. Dawson, J. Reed Glasson, J. J. North, W. J. Currie, and others. Mr. J. M'KerrOw presided. The Rev. J. Paterson was the first Speaker. He referred in /eulogistic terms to the good vorli done by Dr Gibb during tha past twenty-five years. At a timo like this a minister was filled with mixed feelings— glad that ho had been spared to work for such a time and sorry that he had not been abl^ to do more than he had accomplished. That was the feeling winch permeated him when he passed his twenty-fifth anniversary of ordination ; and ho had now passed his fiftieth. (Applause.) Ho hoped Dr. Gibb and hia good wife would enjoy their trip abroad, and that they- would come back .with renewed strength and vigour. Ho tMr. Paterson) was delighted io see St John's still fourishing, and he prayed that God would bless them all. The Rev. J. K. Elliott congratulated tha parishioners of ■ St. John's on the condition Of their church, and gave expression to the high esteom in which he held their minister. Dr. Gibb, he said, was a strong man. Ho was glad Dr Gibb and his wife were going on a holiday, but would be pleased when they were back again, because he knew (hat tho Presbyterian Church would be in its right place when Dr. Gibb was about. On behalf of the office bearers of the church and the • congregation, Mr. J. G. W. Aitken congratulated Dr. Gibb on attaining his twenty-fifth anniversary. Those twenty-five years had been years of hard work and great strain ; and the only hope of his people was that he would be spared for another twenty-Eve years to carry on tho work which he had so well discharged in the past. He conveyed to their minister the greatest, heartiest, and sincerest good wiehes 1 that he and his wife might be refreshed by their wanderings abroad, and that in turn his people would receivo the benefits of the change. % They would greatly miss Dr. Gibb, but they would no doubt havo a good supply during his absence. He wished their minister and his wife God speed and a safe return. (Applause.) The chairman also added a warm | tribute to Dr.. Gibb's unfailing energy and resourcefulness. At St. John's his ministrations had been of a high order, and as pastor his unwearied visits to the sick had been gratefully acknowledged. Ho had taken a prominent part in public questions which made . f o"r the righteousness of tho Dominion, and in the work moi'o directly associated with the church. Tha chairman assured Dr. and Mrs. Gibb of the love and respect entertained by the congregativfe for them, and concluded by handing Dr. Gibb a gift, "which, though small bulk, contained a good deal of potentiality." In reply. Dr. Gibb warmly thanked his people for their kindnesi in granting him the furlough. He said he did not think he was in absolute physical need of a holiday; though of late he had felt a, little tired and overdriven man. His usual five weeks' holiday would probably have set him up again, but contact with other men's minds and the benefits of new environment were us important as physical rest. He spoke of the great assistance he received from his wife, and stated that whatever good he had done was largely due to her inspiration. Into his task at St. John's he had put every ounce of strength that God had given him, and he wished to express thanks for the assistance he had received from his office bearers, and from his congregation. To all his thanks were duo for their great kindness" and gracious gift. Ho had loved his congregation from hits first connection with it. • ' The speeches wero interspersed with songs, add a very pleasant evening was subsequently held in social intercourse.