LATE MR. SHIRER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 48, 27 February 1939, Page 10

LATE MR. SHIRER

MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD

A memorial service for the late Rev.] W. Shirer was held in St. James's Church yesterday morning, when the church was filled with a large congregation, including representatives from many outside districts. There was also a large representation of the local Orange Lodge, of which the late Mr. Shirer was a member. The Rev. A. G. Gardiner conducted the first part of the service, and the Rev. R. Inglis, M.A., delivered the address, basing it upon 1 Cor., xv, 58: "Be ye steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not iv vain in the Lord." These words, he said, described almost literally the long ministry of the Rev v William Shirer, who for 41 "years was minister of St, James's. No man in the community was more essential to its well-being than a minister of the selfless and Christ-like type of William Shirer. His death had left vacant a place in the life of Wellington which it would be difficult to fill. He had made no pretence to oratorical gifts or profound scholarship, but he had left behind him a record of faithful work for God and man of which any man might well be proud. His work among the poor, his ministrations in the hospital by night and day, and his work in bringing hope and comfort to stricken hearts during the period of the war were things by which his memory would be a sacred thing for many years to come. In 1929 he retired from active work. , During the ten years that followed he suffered more or less, and he endured that severe test with faith and patience. His message to his congregation and friends was in the terms of the text.

During the service the anthem "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace" was given by the choir under the leadership of the organist, Mr. John Randal,