WESLEY CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 14

WESLEY CHURCH

NEW MINISTER AREIVES

The Rev. T. R. Richards, Wesleyan Minister at New Plymouth, arrived here in Wellington on Tuesday last accompanied by Mrs. Richards and family. Mr. Richards has been appointed to the Wesley Church, Taranaki street, and will be inducted next Sunday evening by the Rev. E. D. Patehett, chairman of the district. Prior to their departure from New Plymouth, Mr. and Mrs. Richards were given a public farewell, which was attended by a very representative gathering. Eulogistic references were made to Mr.- JJiehards's work in the district, Mr. C. G. Bottrill, who spoke on behalf of the congregation of Whiteley Church, referring to the two outstanding features of the departing minister's ministry, firstly,, the high standard of his pulpit work, and secondly, his pastoral work. In the latter respect Whiteley had never had better service, and in it Mr. Richards had been given lirst-class assistance by his wife who had acted "as a kind of unpaid curate to' the congregation." Representatives of other denominations also praised Mr. and Mrs. Richards and their family, and referred to the firm hold they had on the hearts of the people of the community. Mr. P. E. Stainton said lie spoke on behalf of the "outsiders," the men in the street who knew Mr luchards not so much as a minister as a man, and they held a very high opinion of him and his work. He was a.man ot courage and sincerity, a first-class friend, and a Christian gentleman. The speaker had been associated with him in the Rotary Club, and on the Unemployment Committee and the Relief Association, and he could truthfully say that Mr. Richards had done work in all those organisations of which his own congregation probably knew nothing, and among people who were not in any way connected with Whiteley Church.

, A well-filled wallet was presented to Mr. Richards on behalf of the people of the church, not, said Mr. C. Carter, who made the presentation by way oi compensation for the work he had done, but as an expression of appreciation and goodwill from the people for the faithful ministry of the past five years, combined with the devoted and self-sacrificing services of Mrs. Richards, and the very great help of the family. Presentations were also made to other members of the family.