METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION

Evening Star, Issue 18252, 17 April 1923, Page 2

METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION

NEW PASTOR WELCOMED. TT N! iero . was a big gathering in tho Social Hall of the Methodist Central Mission last evening to welcome the new misBionor (the Rev. W. Walker) and his wife. Mr D. C. Cameron, jun, presided. Mr Cameron said that nine years before they had welcomed Mr Walker, who had then come as a supply, and had labored very acceptably for a year. Since then he had done splendid work as a chaplain through tho war, had been chairman of the Christchurch R.S.A., and was still a member of the executive of the E.S.A., which showed that ho had the full confidence of tho returned men. The mission was now ready for progressive work, as its revenue had improved. Personally, ho _ thought the time was ripe for the appointment of a lay assistant missioner. They had, he believed, the largest Sunday _ evening congregation of any churcn in the dominion. Mr Walker came by invitation, as they believed ho was just the man they wanted, and they must stand by him loyally and work with him well. In conclusion, Air Cameron warmly welcomed the Rev. Mr Bellhouse, as chairman of tho’district, and minister of the Trinity Church circuit. Mr W. J. Hoskins raid other officers warmly welcomed the new pastor. The Rev. Chas. Dallaston, on behalf of the other churches in Dunedin, welcomed Mr and Mrs Walker, and said he had found great pleasure in taking services at the mission. He congratulated Mr Walker on coming to a grand opportunity. Mr Walker would find his brother ministers ready to hold out to him the right hand of welcome, mid to help him in his work. Mr Eaton had had a fairly long life here, and he hoped Mr Walker would have an even longer one. He hoped also that ho would bo honored in ' his work.

Tho Rev. H. E. JBellhouso welcomed Mr Walker as an old friend, and on behalf of the Trinity Church congregation. He wanted to seo a closer relationship between all the Methodist churches, and particularly between the mother church and tho mission. It was he (tho speaker) who had proposed Mr Walker as a candidate for tho ministry, and they had worked together as colleagues in Christchurch, Ho knew Mr Walker to be thoroughly qualified for the position of missionor, and wished him every success in his new sphere of labor. Mr C. A. Martin, as organist and choirmaster, welcomed Mr and Mrs Walker — the former as an old friend. Mr R. Moffat, on behalf of tho Sunday school and young people, also extended a welcome to tho newcomers.

Mr H. Chapman spoke for the junior officers.

The Rev. W. Walker, in ratuniing thanks, said that he had very kindly memories of his previous stay in Dunedin. He hoped they would have good times together. He recognised the responsibility of his heritage, for far greater men than ho had labored in it, but recognised that a golden opportunity offered itself, particularly amongst the young people, who, he believed, constituted 75 per cent, of Sunday night’s congregation. He agreed with Mr Bellhouse regarding the advantage of interchanging pulpits, and woujd be glad to do his part in that work. He specially urged members to attend the week-night services. Conscious of his own limitations, he told them he had nothing of a sensational nature to introduce” He wanted time to get his bearings, after which ho would, _ as far as he was able, move along on his own lines, ami ho appealed to the congregation to give him time to get into his stride. In conclusion, he expressed the conviction that, with God’s help and the loyal support’ of officers and members, they would have good times. (Applause.) During the evening songs were rendered by Mr Forsyth and Miss Mattie Edgar, recitations by Misses Griffiths and Wright, and a violin solo by Miss Geddes.