THE REV. FERGUSON FISH

Evening Star, Issue 21822, 11 September 1934, Page 6

THE REV. FERGUSON FISH

FAREWELL FUNCTION The Rev. R. Ferguson Fish and Mrs Fish, who are removing to another sphere of work in the Presbyterian Church in Auckland, were entertained last evening at a farewell function in the Caversham Presbyterian Church Hall. During the evening Mr R. Hanning, on behalf of the congregation, presented the departing minister with a cheque and Mrs Fish with a crystal vase. In addition to the warm tributes paid by' representative members of his congregation, Mr Fish was warmly applauded by his brother ministers in the church for the success which had attended his ministry at Caversham, and representatives of other denominations also paid tribute to his work. Expressions of regret at his departure were also forthcoming from the Good Templars’ organisations of Dunedin and the Caversham School Committee. The Moderator of the Dunedin Presbytery (Dr J. Dickie) presided, and briefly addressed the meeting on the distinguished service of their departing minister. Mr Fish bad been a tower of strength to the Caversham congregation and to the cause of Presbyterianism in Dunedin, and he would be sadly missed. Eight years was a long time for a man to spend in one charge, but it provided great opportunities for service, and Mr Fish, and with him Mrs Fish, had taken advantage of every opportunity that presented itself. Canon A. C. H. Button, of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Caversham, referred in glowing terms to Mr Fish’s work, and the Rev. A. W. Armstrong, of Green Island, congratulated the guest of the evening on his successful ministry of good works. The Rev. Albert Mead.' representing the Council of Christian Congregations, expressed the thanks of that organisation for the co-operation and loyalty always displayed by Mr Fish in work of a national as well as a* civic character. He was a man of sound -judgment and great energy whose services were always valued. The Rev. R. G. M'Dowall, of St. Clair, extended the best wishes of the Dunedin Presbytery to Mr and Mrs Fish. Mr Fish, he said, had been a valued member of the Dunedin Pres bytery, noted for his independence ol judgment, his courage, and his fearlessness in the cause of anything which he thought was right. The Rev. R. T. Dodds, speaking on behalf of the South Dunedin Presbyterian congregation, expressed admiration of the courage which Mr Fish was displaying in leaving a well-established church like Caversham to take up the ministry in a sphere which would call for all the concentration and energy that he could bring to bear on his work.

Mr R. Hanning, on behalf of the congregation, reviewed the period of Mr Fish’s ministry since his' arrival in Caversham almost a complete stranger eight years and a-half ago. His gracious personality, his work in the pulpit. and his diligence in his pastoral duties had been most helpful and stimulating. He had always been willing to do everything he could to help his people, and in this he had always had the support and assistance of, Mrs Fish. He hoped that their labours in their new sphere would be abundantly blessed. His ministry at Caversham had been a great success, and since ho commenced he had added over 300 members to the church roll. The speaker referred to the various aspects of the work of the congregation, stressing the fact that Mr Fish had excelled in them all, and concluded by asking him to accept on behalf of the congregation a cheque, to which a large number of his people had subscribed. Mr J. Aitken thanked Mr Fish for his work in connection with the Sunday school, and the acquisition of the fine premises which now housed the various departments of the school. Mr A. Cardno, speaking on behalf of the Bible classes attached to the church, said Mr Fish had always been an inspiration to the young people of the church, and the full results of his labours would only be realised as time went on. At this stage Mr Hanning moved a resolution commending the work of Mr and Mrs Fish, and conveying the best wishes of the congregation for a successful ministry in the north. The motion was seconded by Mr J. H. Stewart and carried unanimously. Mr E. J. lies expressed the thanks of the Good Templars of Dunedin for the work done in their behalf by Mr Fish, and asked his acceptance of a small gift from that organisation, and another speaker conveyed the good wishes of the Cavershani School Committee and that body’s thanks for Mr Fish’s earnest labours in the school.

Mr Fish, thanking the congregation and the various speakers on behalf of himself and Mrs Fish, said he had been deeply touched by the tributes of his people and his ministers. Tie thanked the congregation for its great loyalty at all times, and assured them that without that loyalty he could have done nothing. He valued the opportunities for service that had been his at Caversbam. and was proud to have been able to do so much work among the young people, upon whom after all the future of the church rested. The aim of the church should always lie to gather them in. He appreciated the references to Mrs Fish, and thanked the Good Templars and the Caversham School Committee for their expressions of goodwill. They both had many regrets at leaving Dunedin, hnt he was going to another field where a lot of strenuous work awaited him. It would he difficult, he knew Quite well, but ho felt that he must go. He thanked them again for their kind gifts, and made an appeal on behalf of his successor for the same loyalty and faithfulness which ihev had always displayed in him. The proceedings were brought to a close with the Benediction, pronounced hv Dr Dickie. Later supper was served. During the evening members and friends of the congregation provided a delightful programme of musical items