POPULAR MINISTER

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 65, 14 September 1933, Page 18

POPULAR MINISTER

REV. R. J. HOWIE HONOURED

A'fine tribute to the Rev. Rv JV Howie, minister of St. Andrew's Presbyterian. Church, Wellington, was paid at a social evening held in St.. Andrew's Hall last evening, tc .celebrate the seventh, anniversary of Mr. Howie's arrival iii New Zealand from Drange, New South Wales, to take over the ministry of St. ■; Andrew's. There was a very large attendance, presided over by the Session Clerk of St. Andrew's (Mr. J. Armour Thomson). .The social evening was accorded to. Mr. aud Mrs. Howie by the congregation. Bouquets were presented to Mrs. Howie and Mrs. Thomson. "■ . Mi*, and Mrs. Howie were accorded musical honours and cheers as they entered the hall. 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 recommended the congregation to Bend Mr. Howie a call. Mr. McKay, in his letter, said he wished to join 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. Howies arrival The roll number when Mr. Howie came was 290. Since that time 293 names had been removed from the roll, but this huge loss had mote than been made good, because .413 new members had been added to date, the number on the roll today being 394. There had also been a steady growth year after .year m the number at Communion. . , Mr. Thomson presented an - illuminated address to Mr. Howie* and read to the gathering the text ■ of. the address. _ Mrs. R. Pean-on, .on behalf of the ladies of St. Andrew's, paid a high tribute ±o 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 ot the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Howie. An eloquent address was made by Mr J T. Martin on-behalf of the board of 'managers of > the church.. "His sermons, besides disclosing the scholarly, concentration on theological doctrine, reveal a lively appreciation, of the tact 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. Martm also traced the improvement in the church s financial income during the past seven yel rS'photbgraph •of the office-bearers of the church was presented to the minister by Mr. N. H. G. ,McFarlane, who supported the high tributes paid by the other speakers to Mr. and Mrs. Howie. Mr. and Mrs. Howie suitably replied, saying that their years at St. Andrews had been most pleasant, and that they had made many friends. ■ . Enjoyable vocal: and other items were given and supper was served.-