SOUTH DUNEDIN BAPTISTS

Evening Star, Issue 21583, 1 December 1933, Page 1

SOUTH DUNEDIN BAPTISTS

INDUCTION OF REV. T. R. PAGE lu the presence of a large congregation the Rev. T. 11. Page was given the charge of the South Dunedin Baptist Church at an induction service last night. The Rev. H. E. Edridge presided, and expressed pleasure at seeing so many present, making special mention of the fact that several members of the church at Mosgiel were in attendance. 'The service was opened by a hymn, after which the Rev. A. Anstice, or North-east Valley, offered a prayer, and- the Rev. li. R. Turner, of Roslyn, read a passage from the Scriptures. The Chairman said it was a great joy to deliver the charge to the Rev. Page. The speaker hail been serving the Lord for nearly a quarter of- a century, and he realised the prayer that must be in the heart of the new minister, who stood on the threshold of a great duty. He had nothing academic to offer the Rev, Page, but he would say that Mr Page was about to start one of the biggest tasks in life. There were one or two points that ho wished to stress. Mr Page would have to watch that the people of the Baptist Church were keen bn their church. All men should have an equal say in the church. The new minister would need to exercise tact, judgment, and grit as he went about his duties. He sincerely hoped that it would never be said that the church was run by one individual—sweet harmony and co-operation should exist amongst all who belonged to the church. Every one of the members should be brought into the work along with Mr Page. He advised Mr Page always to try to be plain in his speech. By God’s -grace ho would bo able to deliver the essential work and spread the great story of the Lord. “May God give you grace and strength to minister to these people.” The Rev. E. S. Tuckwcll, 8.A., formally handed to Mr Page the charge of the church, mentioning that as this would he Mr Pago’s first pastorate ho would be somewhat on the edge of a crisis, because the taking over of the charge would mean the making or marring of his life in the ministry. He prayed that God would help the people of the church to help the new minister in his tasks. They should create such an atmosphere by doing their duty that the minister would thus do his very best in the cause of the Gospel. He charged them to spread an holy atmosphere and to trust the minister, and to give him full liberty in the pulpit and full co-opera-tion in the holy task of evangelism. They should also pray for their minister and live the Gospel that he preached. In a short address the Rev. Page said that he felt God had blessed him in tho years that had passed, and He had also blessed the congregation of tho church whoso charge he was taking. Mr Pago returned thanks for the welcome given his wife and him. A prayer of dedication was offered by the Rev. G. C. Reay, of Mornington.

hollowing further devotional exercises, a social hour was spent, during which time Mr Carter (on behalf of tho deacons). Miss L. Inga (deaconess and the 8.W.M.U.), Mr W. Ashton (school and Bible classes), and the secretary, Mr C. J. Darracott (church and the choir), Mr Betting (endeavour societies), and Mr A. Young (Life Floys’ and Girls’ Brigade) welcomed the Rev. and Mrs Page to the _ district. The new minister and his wife made happy replies. Presentations were made to the Rev. A. R. Wallace, who had assisted in ministering at tho church in the ten months following the departure of the former resident minister, and Mr Inwood, who had conducted the mid-week services. A gift is also to bo made to the Rev. C. Dallaston, who shared the Sunday duties with the Rev. Wallace, and who was unable to bo present at the service last night. Two anthems were sung by the choir and solos were rendered by Mr C. J. Darracot and Mrs Scott.