THE FAREWELL TO THE REV. MR. BULL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 3310, 27 March 1879, Page 2

THE FAREWELL TO THE REV. MR. BULL.

Although the gathering at the Public Hall on Tuesday evening on the occasion of the valedictory entertainment to the Rev Mr Bull was not numerous, the thorough heartiness and kindliness of the whole proceedings more than compensated for the paucity of attendance. The Chairman (the Rev. Mr Buttle) in the coarse of his remarks adverted to the differences of opinion that had arisen respecting the continuance of the itinerancy of the ministry, but he thought it an excellent syatetn ; for although it might be that a minister was suddenly removed from a district just as he had made iroops of friends, yet on the other hand, if he did leave friends behind him* he went to make more elsewhere, so that his friends were almost everywhere. He knew that Mr Bull had made many friends and earned the affection and respect of his congregation, who must naturally be sorry at his departure, and he hoped that in his new field he would be equally beloved and esteemed. After a duet for the harmonium and painoforte, which was nicely played by Misse3 Parkinson and Shields, a chorus was given by the company, and then Mr W. H. Boase, senior steward o e . the district, spoke of the high qualities of Mr Bull, and how sorry the congregation must be in losing him as their minister and friend. For his part he was strongly of opinion that the term of office of ministers should be five yeara instead of three, and at the next conference he would endeavor to bring this about. It J was a gratifying sign the gradual improvement in the financial position of the church aince Mr Bull's connection with it, and he would read a brief financial ■ statement tor the past three years, which I was as follows : — Circuit income for 1876— L293 17a lid ;

1877— L445 5s 9d; 1878— L455 Oa 21. Total, L 1194 3s lOd. lucome from the Trust Fund for 1876 — LBB 15s ; 1877— L74 10.s ; 1878— L74 10a. Total, L 237 15s. Grand total for three years— Ll43l lß3. lOd. After a song by Mr James, the Rev. Mr Root delivered an address, in which he paid a high tribute to the good qualities of Mr Bull. Although he '(Mr Root) had only had the pleasure of knowing him for some six months, he was proud tp call him his friend, and wished him every blessing in this world and that which is to come. Regarding the itinerancy of the Wealeyan clergy he thought it to be a very plan ; indeed there were many in his denomination who were thinking about it. It was a good thing at times to get a minister to save the church from death from inanition, and perhaps it was also as well to change him when he had reached a high state of popularity. In this case he thought perhaps the Wesleyan congregation regarded their departing pastor with somewhat of Egyptian idolatry, for it was well-known the ancient Egyptians " worshipped the Bull." (Laughter.) After a further musical interlude, the Rev. Mr Bull, in feeling language, expressed his regret at having to sever his connection with a congregation of which he had become endeared, and amongst whom he had made many dear friends. He had striven to do his duty during his residence amongst them, and it was very encouraging to him to find that hi 3 efforts had been conducive to the good of the church. Wherever he went he should always look back with pleasure and gratitude to the happpy time he had spent in Grey mouth, and hoped that he should carry with him the kindly feelings of those he left behind him. The musica^ portion of the programme does not call for any special notice, each and all the performers did their best, and the result was very satisfactory. It has been mentioned to us as* worth recording that the last six sermons preached by Mr Bull were considered the best he had delivered in Greymouth ; they were — "The Gospel in Earthen Vessels," "Lessons from the Life of E. J. Wakefield," " Pilgrim Life," "Peter Led to Jesus," Knowledge and Kindness," and "The Life of Faith."