A NOTED CHURCHMAN

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1926, Page 10

A NOTED CHURCHMAN

DE. J. D. JONES HONOURED.

The visit of Dr. J. D. Jones, M.A., of Bournemouth, England, to. this city, was taken, advantage of by the local Congregational ministers and laymen last evening, when the visitor was entertained at dinner. The function was held lat The Chequers Tea Rooms. ' Councillor F. Meadowcroft occupied the ™r. and after proposing the toast of {•i £ mg ' cx Pi'essed the esteem in wiiien Dr. Jones, the i*stinguished guest of the evening, was held. In the Old Country ,Dr. Jones s name was a household word; he was revered and honoured for the work he had accomplished and the life he had lived. Cheers were given for Dr. Jones's mother, who was still able to follow the career of her honoured son Mr. T. Forsyth, M.P., proposed the toast of "Our Guest," laying emphasis upon the broad outlook which Dr. Jones tool; of men and things. Dr. Jones, in replying, expressed his satisfaction at seeing so large a gathering ot men from the local churches, especially so many young men, which, augured well for the future of the denomination. He was impressed with the kindness shown to him on this visit. He felt there was a better condition of things in' the Congregational Church of New Zealand than obtained when he was here twelve years ago. Referring to the position in the Old Country, Dr. Jones said he believed Britain would "muddle through" as she has so often done before, and 'come out stronger and better. He also referred to the happier spirit now existing between the Free churches and the Anglican Onurch at Home, as evidence of which he had had the privilege last year of preaching in Canterbury Cathedral, also at the first annivemy of the Liverpool Cathedral. Findly, Dr. Jones encouraged and exhorted those present to stick to their' own cmirch, and to seek to bring the mind of Christ to bear upon all the problems of national life.

To-morrow morning Dr. Jones will speak at the Cambridge Terrace Congregational Church, and in the evening at the Terrace Congregational Church. He,will address a public meeting in the Conceit Chamber on Monday night. .

Tho East Christchurch School, one of the largest primary schools in the city, closed down yesterday for a week on account of influenza. Other schools have depleted attendances, and two_ more are likely to close if the position does not improve. At the Boys' High School yesterday only 300 out of 600 pupils were present.