REV. G. MILLER’S RETIREMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21639, 7 February 1934, Page 12

REV. G. MILLER’S RETIREMENT

NORTH-EAST VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS’ LOSS The high regard In which his congregation and the members of the Dunedin Presbvtery hold the Dev. G. Miller, minister of the North-cast Valley Presbyterian Church, has always been in evidence, and it was only to be expected that when -Mr Miller’s resignation was received at yesterday’s monthly meeting of the Presbytery general regret at the church’s loss and warm appreciation of the retiring clergyman’s character and work should ho expressed. In forwarding ■ his resignation Mr Miller mentioned that he had been forty years in the pulpit and ten years in Ins present charge. In this connection a deputation from the North-east Valley congregation waited on the Presbytery and voiced its appreciation of the retiring minister’s sterling personal qualities and services.

Mr G. Mansou said that the congregation had deeply appreciated Mr Miller’s services. Mr Miller, who was loved by them all, both as a minister and a man. was a great worker in every way, and during his term as minister of the charge had really done more than was expected of him. The whole congregation was very sorry indeed that he was leaving them, but felt that they should not put anything in the way of, his well-earned rest from the heavier, type of church work. Several other members of the deputation supported these remarks. ■ It was resolved that the resignation of Mr Miller be accepted, and that the pastoral tie be dissolved on April 30. Brief ' addresses appreciative of Mr Miller's character and work were also given on behalf of the Presbytery by the Rev. J. D. Fisher, Mr W. H. Adams, the Rev. D. C. Herron, and the Rev. Professor Collie.The moderator and Professor Collie were appointed to represent the Presbytery at a function in honour of Mr Miller to be held in North-east Valley on February 26. The moderator and clerk, together with Dr Merrington and Mr Dick, were appointed to arrange a further function in honour of Mr Miller.

In agreement with the congregation's wishes it was decided to appoint Dr Merrington as interim moderator of the charge. MINUTE OF APPRECIATION. A minute of appreciation, drawn up on behalf of the Presbytery by the Revs. G. H. Jupp and A. C. W. Standage, was adopted as follows: — “ It was with a feeling of surprise, strange and unwelcome, that the Presbytery of Dunedin hoard the announcement made by the Rev. George Miller that the time has come when he wishes to lay down the burden of the active ministry. After taking the regular course in the University and the Theological Hall Mr Miller was duly licensed to preach the Gospel, and in 1894 was ordained by the Presbytery of Mataura and inducted to the charge of Waikaka Valley. Thus he has completed forty years of service in the church, and the Presbytery desires to congratulate him most heartily on the work he has been privileged to do in his four pastorates— Waikaka Valley, Milton, Ashburton, and North-east Valley. “ Deeply conscious of the marvellous love of God manifested in our Lord .Jesus Christ, he has sought by every means in his power to commend lo others the .experience which has meant so much to him, and has used all the influence of a persuasive and winning personality to lead those whose lives ho touched into a knowledge of the Saviour. This he did by careful preparation of his own spiritual life and Oy steady endeavour to keep in vital contact with the thought of his people in the different congregations to which he has ministered. His pulpit work has been of a high order, his sermons and occasional addresses touched with that poetic mysticism which is found at its best in those who are practical in their outlook because able to view the events of life steadily yet always as a whole. “ Thus he was at all times able to exercise a balanced judgment, which has been a help to his brethren in the wider affairs of Presbytery and Assembly, and also to himself and those associated with him in the more confined sphere of the congregation. Especially was this steady view of life shown in the year of his moderatorship of the church, when his gifts were used to the utmost and every opportunity to commend the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ seized with eagerness. At all times Mr Miller has been willing to take his full share of Assembly and Presbytery work, and his relations with his brethren have been such that he has endeared himself to all.

“ iii the long years of service which he has given to the church Mr Miller lias been greatly blessed in his partner in life, who has entered fully into all his work, and by her protecting care and steady encouragement has made it possible for him to accomplish a life’s work upon which his brethren in the ministry and the members of the Presbytery take pride in offering him their congratulations. And the Presbytery desires to assure him and Mrs Miller that its prayer will ever be that in their years of retirement they may be deeply blessed of God and be vouchsafed constantly increasing opportunity to bear witness to the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ and His finished work.”