HAWERA BAPTIST CHARGE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 8 November 1935, Page 2

HAWERA BAPTIST CHARGE

INDUCTION OF NEW MINISTER : ■ KEV. A. J. JAMIESON WELCOMED I 7 ADVICE TO CONGREGATION. An appeal to the congregation not to forget its responsibility to the new minister was made by the Rev. S. Jenkin, New Plymouth, who officiated last night at the induction of the Rev. A. J. Jamieson to the charge of the Hawera Baptist Church. Air Jamieson, a resident of Wanganui, has been a student at the Baptist College, Auckland, and although he has preached at Hawera before, this is his first charge. Air F. W. Horner presided at last night’s service and associated with him in the pulpit were Air Jenkin, the Rev. N. Garlick, Wanganui, and Mr Jamieson.

During the {service, prayers were recited by the Rev. H. Curran and* Mr Garlick. A solo was sung by Mrs B. Aletson, the accompanist being Air G. McConnell, while for the singing of hymns, Miss P. Brett presided at the organ. A long list of apologies and greetings was read by Air Horner and included letters and telegrams from the following: The Rev. A. G. Irvine, Canon D. B. Alalcolm, Rev. E. Nicholls (Wanganui), Rev. AI. W. P. Laseelles, general secretary of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, All* TV. H. Newton, secretary of the college committee, Dr. J. J. North, college principal. and Rev. John Ings, formerly of Hawera, and now of Napier. In expressing pleasure at being associated with the gathering, Air Horner said he was glad to see in the congregation representatives of other denominations and of the sister churches of Wanganui and New Plymouth and even as far afield as Wellington. Air Jamieson was not unknown to the congregation as recently during a month of his vacation he had filled the pulpit at Hawera. It was then that the people had become attracted to him and it was unanimously decided to extend a call, which took the form a request to the college council that Air Jamieson should be set aside for work in the pastorate. He came with a high recommendation and behind the messages of the college officials there rend a note of his sincerity.

AGE OF YOUTH COAIMENDED. “The age of youth has a great deal to commend it,” said Mr Horner. It was a time of great earnestness, especially in spiritual matters. Youth was also a period of energy and if there ever was a time for energy, then it was to-day, when the world was much in need of men of action. Youth was also the time of spiritual vision and Air Horner thought that Air Jamieson possessed all these attributes. On behalf of the office bearers of the church and congregation, Air Horner welcomed Mr Jamieson. “You will find that every member loves his church and all are prepared to co-operate in its work,” said Air. Horner.

He brought greetings from New Plymouth, said Mr Jenkin, a pastpresident of the Baptist Union, who delivered the charge to the new minister. “You have come to one of the most solemn, yet inspiring, moments of your life,” he said. Mr Jamieson would find himself in a great and honoured succession of men who had ministered in the church. He could give much advice, but he would confine himself to two guides, said the speaker. He advised Mr Jamieson- “to know God and to keep close to Him,” and “to understand men and never to be far from them.” If he kept his mind free from prejudice he would secure knowledge of God. “Ministers are not ‘men apart’,” said Mr Jenkin. He sometimes felt that good pulpit work failed because it lacked contact with humanity. He appealed for human interest and for Mr Jamieson to show that there w-as no contingency of human life that God did not provide for. Addressing the congregation, Mr Jenkin said there were many factors that went to make up a minister. He pointed out, however, that the minister’s people went to make a minister and appealed to them not to forget the important part they played in the church life.

. At this stage Mr Horner handed to Mr Jamieson the church’s two handsome volumes of the Bible. REPLY TO WELCOME. In reply, Mr Jamieson expressed thanks for the congregation’s welcome and the greetings by letter and telegrain. He considered that he had been long enough in Hawera to know that the church members had big hearts and were zealous in their work for the

Kingdom of Christ. Referring to the remarks of Mr Jenkin, he said that if he knew God he was certain that the people knew him. “This is an age of inquiry,” said Mr Jamieson. Men questioned all things—“if it was true?” and “if it was real?” Men probed to the very depths of other men’s hearts and so the man with a, message had to have something vital to say. In again thanking the congregation for its welcome, Mr Jamieson said that liis concluding remarks could be summarised in the words of Dr. J. J. North when he accepted his first charge—“l will be the special friend of all, but the particular friend of no one.” At the conclusion of the service members of the congregation and visitors were entertained at supper. Greetings were expressed to Mr Jamieson by the Rev. B. Metson, who spoke on behalf of Hsxwera Methodists and the Hawera Ministers’ Association. Greetings were also expressed hy Mr Ernest Nees, Wellington, a past president of the Central Auxiliary of the union. Mr Jamieson suitably replied.