CHURCH RECORD

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 71, 21 September 1933, Page 9

CHURCH RECORD

DX, GIBB'S JUBILEE

WIDE CONGRATULATIONS

The jubilee of the ordination,'of the JEev. Dr. James Gibb as a minister of the Presbyterian Church was celebrated at a' large gathering ,in St. John's Church Hall last evening. The Key. J. R. Blanchard, minister of St. John's 'Church, presided.

Amongst those on the platform were tho Rev. J. Hubbard (moderator Wellington Presbytery), Rev. J v Paterson and Rev. G. King (Wanganui Presbytery), Rev. A. A. Armstrong, Rcy.« IR. J. Howie, Messrs. A. P. Smith '(chairman Scots College Board), A. D! Thomson (chairman Board of j .Trustees Presbyterian Church of New Zealand), V. G. Chapman (treasurer Presbyterian Church of New Zealand), Rev. J. Baird, Messrs. Ad. Howitt (session clerk St. John's), W. Hopkirk, Geo. A. Troup (elders St. John's Church), Miss Gibb, Mrs. Blanchard, Mrs. Geo. A. Troup, and Mr. John McKay, a former elder in both First Church', Dunedin, and St. John's, Wellington, during the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Gibb. The chairman read minutes of approt'iation from tho Duucdin and Christchurch Presbyteries, also letters of appreciation of Dr. Gibb's services from numerous churches in all parts of_New Zealand. In his letter, the Rev. D. W. Scott, Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly, said:—"ln the history of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church, Dr. Gibb's name is inscribed indelibly on her roll of honour." A minute of appreciation adopted by the First. Church, Dunedin, which specially emphasised the work of the Rev. Dr. Gbb in connection with church union, has already been published in "Tho Post.". A letter signed by six members of the, ministry who formerly attended St. Jofrn's Church, was read. The writers—the, Revs. S. W. Webb, J. S. Murray, J. Steele, F. Robertson, lan W. Fraser, and M. W. Wilson —expressed; their feelings cf gratitude td Dr. Gibb, and acknowledged the influence he had had upon the course- of their lives. Several communications were read from brandies of the League of Nations Union in New Zealand acknowledging Dr. Gibb's services in the cause (of international peace. '■ , INSPIRING LEADERSHIP. The Rev. J.B. Blanchard said he was i very proud indeed to preside .at a"pub-j lie meeting to celebrate the jubilee of the Rev. Dr. Gibb. He■; was pleased to 6ay that his predecessor as minister of St. John's had been to him a helpful,! encouraging, sympathetic, and a wise friend. Mr. Ad. Hdwitt,- session clerk of St. John's, read a minute adopted by the j office-bearers, congratulating Dr. Gibb on attaining his ministerial jubilee, and utafoyj that '.'Dr. Gibb's preaching, al-j Ways distinctly evangelical, was sealing, stimulating, impressive, and convincing"; also that "Dr. Gibb's intimate connection with and inspiring leadership of the many agencies and activities connected with St. John's were always^ air inspiration to the many workers. "' The office-bearers of the church .added that "when the history, of Rresbyterianism in Wellington comes to be written, the name of Dr. James Gibb will loom, large." Mr. W. Hopkirk, senior elder of the church, said that he and three other ciders met and welcomed Dr. Gibb when lie- arrived' in .Wellington to take over the ministry of St. John's, and ever hince then he had appreciated Dr. Gibb's splendid work for the church. Mr. G. A. Troup, ono of the oldest office-bearers of the church, mentioned that he and Dr, Gibb were boys together in Aberdeen, and it was a sincere pleasure to him to be presont and congratulate Dr. Gibb on his jubilee as a. minister. The Key. J. Hubbard, Moderator of the Wellington Presbytery, conveyed to Dr. Gibb the high admiration of the members of that body and their recognition of his outstanding and brilliant service. Mr. Hubbard read1 a minute adopted by the Presbytery outlining Dr. Gibb's services to the church,! and adding that "Dr. Gibb was richly endowed with the gifts that qualify for leadership. His eloquence and skill in debate,' his clear, quick vision, his ability to size up the implications of a question or of a situation, his tenacity of purpose, and his readiness to take, any burden on himself, made him for years an outstanding leader , r of ,the Assembly." . . .' : DR. OIBB'S REPLY. The Rev. Dr. Gibb, in the eouTse of his reply, expressed his sincere thanks for all the kind words which had been said about his work, and for the minutes of appreciation passed by the various presbyteries and churches. He madespecial reference to the resolution passed by the office-bearers of the First Church,. Dunedin, and..' alluded to the part he had taken in the movement which led to the union of the northern and southern churches., Tho speaker made reference to the part he had taken in. New Zealand in the cause of peace, and to the opposition and criticism he had had to encounter. He could never have got things done if it had not been for. the backing and enthusiasm of hosts of friends. Speaking with considerable feeling, Dr. Gibb concluded his remarks by saying: "I look back to my ministry at St. John's with feelings to Almighty i God. of great thankfulness. Too much has been said in praise, of me tonight. In my ministry I tried to the utmost of my power to sincerely sympathise with those who were sick and suffering, and to take their sickness and sorrows to my own heart. I ask you to give your minister your heartiest backing. ... I have had my day. My wife is with God; and I sometimes feel that I would not care how soon the curtain •was rung down, and tho great peace beyond become my portion. I thank you and the presbyteries and the churches for these beautiful resolutions. I thank all my friends once again. God bless you, and keep you to'the end." Musical items were contributed by Misses A. Bcnnie and Gladys Hibbord. Mr. Lawrence Haggitt presided at the piano. Supper was provided. The pro- ' ecedirigs closed by the chairman pronouncing the Benediction.