HAWERA BAPTIST CHURCH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 August 1927, Page 12

HAWERA BAPTIST CHURCH.

FAREWELL TO REV. L. C. H. BARBOUR. A large gathering of members and friends of the 'Hawera Baptist Church assembled at the ‘Scout’s Hall yesterday evening to bid farewell to their pastor, Reverend L. G. H. Barbour, who is leaving shortly for Epsom, Auckland. The chair was taken by the Reverend F. A. Parry, of the New Plymouth Baptist Church. After singing and devotional exercises, Mr. Parry thanked the Haw era Church for giving him the opportunity of coming down to preside over the farewell gathering to their pastor. He brought with him the greetings and good wishes of the New Plymouth church and congratulated the Hawera church on the success which had attended their building effort, which was

a tribute to the united effort and enthusiasm of both pastor and people. Reverend li. G. Goring, of Wanganui, who was present representing the Central Auxiliary of the Baptist Union, brought with him the congratulation of the auxiliary and also of his own church on the call which had been given to Mr. Barbour to the larger held at Epsom, and referred to the fine prospects of the work there. He had been specially asked by the Reverend John Patterson, on behalf of the Bible in Schools Movement, and by Mr. S. M. Dixon, area organiser of the Prohibition League, to .convey their appreciation of Mr. Barbour’s assistance to them in these directions and their regret at his removal from Hawera. In conclusion, he paid a tribute to Mrs. Barbour’s recognised ability as a Sunday School leader and organiser.

Air. C. H. Brough, on behalf of the mem hers of the church, expressed his regret at the departure of Air. and Airs. Barbour, and spoke of their zeal for the worjv and for the extension of the Kingdom of God. Many of them were really only getting to know Air. and Airs. Barlwur as they were leaving. On behalf of the church he had pleasure in handing them a marble clock as a token of the good wishes of the members and as a memento to remind them in future of their associations with the- church at Hawera.

Adjutant Brown spoke on behalf of the Ministers’ Association, which, had requested him to attend and convey their good wishes to their departing brother. He mentioned particularly the efforts which' Air. Barbour had made to make the Ministers’ Association a more active force in the community.

In rising to reply Mr. Barbour was received with applause. He said that while it was true that Epsom offered a larger sphere of .service, yet lie had a preference for the work in the smaller towns rather than in suburban churches. He appreciated the words of the adjutant on. behalf of the Afmisters’ Association, and looked forward to more active efforts by the association in future in the direction of bringing the churches more closely together. He thanked Air. Brough for the message from the people and for the gift which had accompanied it. The'beauty of Hawera had always impressed him from the first, particularly of the mountain background, which always conveyed to him a message of purity and beauty. Though lie was leaving Hawera, yet the people would always he in his thoughts, and ho would continue to pray for the success of the work of the church.

During the evening a duet was ren-cle’-ed by Mrs. Tozer and Miss Spindle, and a solo by Arr. A. E. Aforris. The accompaniments were played by Airs. L. A. Taylor. Supper was handed round hv the ladies of the congregation. and the singing of the Doxology and the Benediction concluded the gathering.