FAREWELL TO DR WATT.

Evening Star, Issue 11894, 23 May 1903, Page 6

FAREWELL TO DR WATT.

The Green Island Volunteer Hall was well filled last evening, when a farewell social was held on the eve of the departure and in honor of the Rev. Dr Watt, who is about to leave the district that he may be able to give his whole time to his professorial duties.

The Rev. D. Dutton was in the chair, and was accompanied on a tastefully decorated platform by the Revs. Dr Duniop, Dr Gibb, J U. Spence, W. Will, Jas. Chisholm, W. Scorgie, A. Cameron, D. Borrie, J- Guy, and Mr Jas. Reid.

After Psalm 100 had been sung, the Chairman, who pointed out the necessity for brevity of speeches owing to the length <f the programme, spoke of Dr Watt's thirtynine years of ministry at Green Island, making his relation to some of them almost that of a father. Another would come and occupy his place in the district, but it went without saying that no one would take his place in their affections. Still, he was sure that it was the ardent desire of Dr Watt's heart that they should extend to his successor that hearty support and assistance which had been his ?t their hands.

After tne choir had sung the anthem ' Praise the Lord, O my soul,' The Rev. Dr Gibb paid his tribute to the departing minister. He said he thought Dr Watt was partly to be condoled with and partly to be envied. The first because he had come to the end of his ministry in a district to which he had proved a veritable prophet of God. On the other hand, he was to be envied because he had attained the blue ribbon of Presbyterianism. He had become altogether a professor of the church. He was going to get that whole dignity of which he was quite sure they all thought him worthy.—(Applause.) The congregation were to be sympathised with for the loss of a loving pastor, but be felt that they would see that what was their loss was the church's gain. Ministers come and ministers go, but the church went on for ever, and he was sure that they would get another pastor % who would win their esteem, though whoever can.e would have to be a very rood mm to come up to the level of Dr Watt.—(Applause.) He then spoke of Dr Watt's diligence, prudence, and faithfulness during his mh.istry. It had been a marvel to them how he had kept up his work as be had done. As a presbyter, too, he had been always a perfect gentleman. There was no nrmber of the Presbytery nor of the church iii New Zealand held in higher esteem than Dr Watt. In conclusion: The chunh would be vacant after next Sunday,, and he counselled the congregation to be wise and prudent in their selection of a, new minister, and then to do their best to make his ministry as successful as that of Dr Watt It had given him very great pleasure to say the words he had.

\ Miss Jessie Loudon then sang ' Song of Angels,' after which

Dr Dunlop addressed the gathering, saying that all those present were a far more eloquent testimony than anything that he couid say He looked upon Dr Watt's m nistry and his position at the end of it is an intellectual feat. Greater than this, however, was the staying power of his own heart's goodness. He was not leaving them to be married to another congregation. He would still be formally their minister, ami he would wander back to preach to theiii occasionally. He would leave with them the testimony of a very beautiful Christian life, without any S'gn of fa ling. The Rev. Wm. W 11 added his testimony is one who, he believed, had known Dr Watt longer and .more intimately than any there, speaking in enthusiastic terms of Limany excellent and en learing qualities and of the ereat record of his ministry. Mr James T oudon th-'n made a presentation to Dr Watt on behalf of the conare a tion. He told first how the members of the church had decided to erect a tab'et to hj s memory, not after his death las he him self had suggested, but during hi* lifetime He then ,asked Dr Watt to accept a very handsome ea*y chair and a copy of the New Century Dictionary as tokens of their lepard, repeatine, as he did so, the lattclaus' 01 the resolution passed by the congregation : " May the Lord bless you in your person, in your family, &vd in your work of training and ten-fin* the future ministers of New Zealand."

Mr John Blair then presented Mrs Watt with another easy chnir and her daughter with suitable tokens of the esteem in which thev were hpid by those of the d ; strict. Dr Watt, who was greeted w ; th applause, snid he found it hard to stand b fore then at all without feeling ashamed for all the f n .,f DeflT) rriy en hjjjj }Jg thanked all who had spoken from his heart and the audience for the wav they had received their remarks. As "Dr Gibb had said, his feelings were mingled ones of joy and regret. He was proud of the new honor conferred upon him, but it wis with sincere regret that he loft the district m which he had had such a happy ministry. He had been creatly helped, and he thanked his helpers from his heart, mentioning, with honor, a number of old friends, whose efforts had helped largely towards anv success that had come to the church. Whenever he pissed his old church hereafter a lump wou'd come into his throat at the thought that ano'her occupied the pulpit that he had been honored to tenant so long, but it would be his prayer th'it one worthier than himself should come after him, and that all ble sin's mi?ht be his in his work. He was heart : ly grateful to the conTegation for all their kindnesses and g : fts to him, and on behalf of his wife and familv for the goodness shown to them. He asked th Q m finally to think of h : m in their pravers, and to_a.sk that he mi<>ht vet be spared to do a little more good work in the cause that he loved.

'After an interval for refreshments and the sinking of a quartet and chorus ('Lo. my Shepherd is D ; vine') by memb-rs of the choir, the Revs. D. Borrie'and A. C"m°ron added their quota to the general tribute. Mr C. Cook sang 'Th= Better T'and' and Mr D. Love recited 'The B»lls.' A very pleasant evening was then brought to a condus ; on by the singing of the Nunc djtvttis and the pronouncement of the benediction.