AN ENGLISH PASTOR

Evening Star, Issue 14635, 3 August 1911, Page 5

AN ENGLISH PASTOR

WELCOMED TO DUNEDIN. , The Rev. J. M'Ciuno- Uffon, paster of Leith Street Congregational Church, w-as given a public welcome on Tuesday night in Stuart Hall, which held a large audience, representing many denominations. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Burnett) presided, and on the platform were the Revs. W. S. Feraie, It. E. Davies. P. W. Fairclough, W. Saunders, G Heigh way, W. Grant, W. Hay, G. K. Smith, and Mr J. S. Douglas. Mr T. S. Parkins, of St. Clair Congregational Church, was also present. The outstanding feature of the function was the cordiality of the welcome extended to the veteran pastor. The proceedings, however, were unconscionably prolonged. The Chairman, as the chief citizen of Dunedin, extended a cordial welcome to the Rev. Mr Uffon, and assured him that ho would find Dunedin people warmhearted. The Rev. W. Grant led in prayer, and sought a blessing on Mr Uffen’s. pastorate. The Rev. W. S. Fernie, ex-pastor of the church, made a graceful speech in introducing his. successor, whom he heartily welcomed to the pastorate. Mr Form.' briefly referred to the causes which led to the coming of Mr Utien, and assured him that no one offered a heartier welcome than his own. Mr J. S. Douglas, on behalf of the church, extended a welcome to Mr Uffen. Ho remarked that the charge was a small one. but the church contained many willing worker's. The Her. W. Saunders welcomed Mr Uffen on behalf of the Congregational Union of New Zealand, and also the local Congregational Churches. The welcome was all the warmer because they we.ro receiving into their midst a minister who had won his spurs in the Old Land. He had been privileged to meet Mr UiTcn at Home two yeprs ago. when he discovered

what a high estimate was placed on Mr Uffen’fi. work as a member of the London Missionary Society, and at .tho Memorial j Hall, which was the headquarters of Imperial Cougregat ionaiism Some people might wot;dor why a man held in so high j estimation r-houkl come io this little corncy of the vineyard. It was an open secret | that Mr I'(lnn's church had parted with j him very reluctantly, and hj id even offered Ire get an assistant for him. But for private family Mr Uffen had come to Dunedin. The Loss to the Home church ■would be a- great gain to us. Ite felt Mire that Mr Uffen would ho very happy here. He hoped that Mr Uffon would net judge re by our National Debt and the- quality of our ga.v He also expressed the hopo that his in in lot ry would bo fruitful. The Rev. R. K Du via? tendered u cordial welcome on behalf of the Presbyterian Church. There was absolutely no’reason why Cangrogalicm.'ls should be'worshipping apart fioni the Presbyterians. Presbyttv nann hero wen; far. more Congregational than they were in tho Old Land? And when Congicgationtjis canto to a new land, the order of things, a? regards church extension and so on, they had to revert to Presbyterian principles. (Laughter.) He hoped that the difference' between them would become less and krs us tho years went on. (Applause.) He concluded a, very friendly speech .by giving Mr Uffon the right, hand of fellowship. The Rev. P. W. Fairclough offered a welcome on behalf of the Trinity Wesleyan Church. His speech was kind and witty. Fraternal welcomes were offered also by tho Rev. W. Hay on behalf of tiie Baptist Church, who read letters he had received from Home, which showed tho excellentrecord of good service possessed by Mr Uffen; by the Rev. G. K. Bmiili. representing the Primitive Methodist Church, and who mentioned that the Council of Churches and tho Temperance Reform Council hoped to gain the, value of Mr U Hen’s great experience at Homo; and by tho Mayor, as representing the civicbodies and the Anglican Church. The Rev. Mr Uffen was received very cordially by the large audience. In his ehort and simple speech there was a tenderness and a spirituality that impressed every mind. lie had not come to New Zealand to seek a fortune. 'When he first sighted this beautiful land he saw the hilltops throu-.'h his tears. He did not speak much ll.cn, for he had thought of Home, which held a large and pennant n f . place in his heart Then he thanked all tho speakers for their kindness, and spnke quietly of the bc-autv of a spiritual life. And lie spoke of the need of giving a minister sympathy and support in his work- When a member stayed away from church, or grumbled, or anythteg like that, he should ear: “If every member war. just like me, whit sort of a church would this church be?” , During the evening the choir, under tlie guidance of Mr J. Bowden, sang piers, and congs were, contributed by Mr Jas. Jago (who sang three fine songs) and by Miss Cowie. The ladies of the church tendered a verv appreciative welcome— refreshments.