Memorial Services.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 218, 6 November 1888, Page 3

Memorial Services.

At the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, morning and evening, the Bev. J. McAra took the opportunity 10 make reference to the dea If of the late Mr Teat. He said they met in the church on that occasion under the shade of a great sorrow—besides the gentleman who had been taken from their midst, they had also lately heard of the death in a strange land of a former member of the congregation, Mr David Millar, and now a telegram bad been received informing them of the death of Mrs Shrimpton. The rev. gentleman then made touching reference to the general subject—it was not so much how we died, he said, as how we lived. All men must die sooner or later, and he impressed upon them the necessity of preparing for that inevitable event, in the time which God had granted them. In the morning, the hymns were taken from the children’* portion of the book, and were specially selected as being favorites of the late Superintendent of the Sunday-school (Mr Teat). The evening service was equally impressive, the latter part of the Rev. MoAra’s sermon being a direct reference to the late Mr Teat, and tbe earnest life which he had led. The rev gentleman concluded as follows :—

My dear friends, —I have been led in the choice of theme to-night by the event of the past week, which has had a peculiar interest for us all. The departure from this world of one so well known and so highly respected as Mr Teat, could not take place without arresting attention and calling for some notice from a people whom he served so well. The pulpit is not the place to pass eulogiums on any one. Here God, and God alone, must ever be ‘he theme of our praise and adoration, but surely encouraged to raise our hearts in thankfulness to God for gifts and graces lent us for a time, and which, as in this case, were freely and heartily devoted to the service of our Lord and of his Church, and my purpose now in these few brief closing sentences is to indicate the place which our departed friend occupied in all movements having for their end th - religious and social we’fare of the community. Mr Teat was resident in this district f ir so-n > fourteen years, and, from the first, identified himself with church work among old and young. The population then was limited, and the attendance at the public school was abou 40. But though the day of small tl.ings, ye; a Sunday-school was organised by Mr Teat,the first in Poverty Bay- apd from that tim until within three months of his death, he gave himself heart and soul to his much loved work. We all know the interest he took in the Godly training of the young. His place in the Bunday*school was never empty, if health permitted. His love for the little one* was unabated tip to the last—on v® ik day and Bunday his thoughts were exert ised on their behalf. The parents know how often, while conducting his business, he would throw in a word for the good work, and distribute periodicals fitted to an increase of interest in the same. Many who were little children in the early days, and trained under Mr Teat’s superintendence, are now men and women ; yet th* memories of these bygone times are fragrant still, and the seed sown all through these years will yet, we believe, bring forth fruit in holy and devoted lives. His fellow teachers, too, will not cease to revere his memory. They ever found him helpful, and sympathising, and patient. The work, often trying enough, could not discourage him, nor would headowit to discouiSge ch--m. Re had ever a kindly word to give and a helpful suggestion to make, which could not fail to bind the hearts of all his fellow workers to himself. He is gone and his presence in the Sundav school will be seen no more : but hi* influence—-the influence of a devoted worker in a corner of Ithe Lord’s vineyard—will be seen for many days hence.—ln the Tem pprance movement, Mr Teat early identified himself. And in connection with our Band of Hope, he manifested the liveliest interest. His acquaintance with the literature of thi> great and pressing question, was freely made use of by him in addressing our monthly gatherings, and it rejoiced his heart to see young and old connecting themselves with a movement which sought the welfare for time and eternity, of all in tbe comm uni'y, Mr Teat wa«» the father of our Kirk Session—bsiny one of the first five brethren that were ordained and set apart for the spiritual oversight of the congregation. And during all these years that we have sat with him in the Session, w« have ever found him a true yokefellow. His shrewd common sense, his zeal for . the Church’s welfare, his devotion to the spiritua interests of old and young, and his helpful sympathy with his Minister and brethie•«, alike endeared him to us all Until thef ai - ties of latter days came upon him, he was constant in his attendance at the weekly prayer meeting, and his place in chuioh wa never empty morning nor nigh’. H frequently, in the absence of the Ministei e conducted Divine service both in tow i a d country. Indeed, he was ready for any service which, as an elder, he felt he could discharge. It was a great grief to him when compelled, through failing health, to relin quish his loved work, and it was some little time before he could say, “ Father, thy will b» done.” But God graciously and gradually brought him to see and to say “ that all wa> well.” When he returned from Auckland, anyone could see that his days were num bered, although we o»uld hardly think the end was so near. His suffering during these closing months of his life must have been very severe. The disease was of the mos l malignant type and must have cau el l ;im much distress, and we could not help deeply sympathising with him and praying that God would give him grace to bear patiently the working out of His blessed will. Our inter course with him was frequent of late and w»could not fail to see how hi* soul was ripening for glory. The fatal character of his ailmenr and the rapidity with which it was hurrying him to the grave came upon him with painful surprise, and for a moment his desire for life almost made him rebel, but this feeling gradually gave way and a spirit of resignation came over him, and which animated him up to the last. When I reached his bedwide on Sunday afternoon and found him surrounded with Christian friends, I could see his countenance lighted up with joyful expectation. Previous promiaes whispered! in his ear elicited good response, and when his brother elders stood round his bedside while he partook for the last time of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and we united in commending our departing brother to the Lord, he cried joyfully, “ Praise the Lord, Hallelujah I” and repeated it again and again. It was a touching and an impressive scene. While he was able to speak he gave expression to his hopes through Christ. One asked “Is it well with you?” He replied “ Yes. Jesus is mine; I have no Saviour but Christ.” When quoting to him the first verse of “ Rock of Ages ” he repeated tbe last line twice over, ” Be of sin the double cure, cleanse me from its guilt and power.” He then expressed the desire to depart and to he at rest Almost his last words wore ”Mr McArs, let me go; I want to go to Heaven,” and in due time his desire was gratified. He departed, and is now with Christ. . “ The better country ” for which he longed has received him now. Our loss is his eternal gain, and “ Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, They rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.’* We pray God may raise up in our midst others who will follow in bis footsteps—in his works of and labors of love. Let the young step into the breach and lift up the "fallen standard. The Churqh needs their help and God will bless them. As a congregation we tender our deepest sympathy to the sorrowing relations, and we pray that God will be ” a father to the fatherless and a judge of the widow,” and let us, my dear friends, pray that God may sanctify this call in His Providence to us as a people and as office bearers to be diligent while the day last. Let us each faithfully fill in his day and when the nieht is approaching may it be ours to hear the welcome benediction, K WeT done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”