"A FRUITFUL MINISTRY”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 64, 27 February 1935, Page 11

"A FRUITFUL MINISTRY”

Rev. J. A. Asher of St Pad's RESIGNATION ACCEPTED Presbytery Appreciates Services Yesterday morning the Hawke’s Bay Presbytery over which the Rev. It. B. Waugh, the Moderator, presided held its bi-monthly meeting. The principal feature of the proceedings was an expression of appreciation ot the services given by the Rev. J. A. Asher during his ministry over a period 01 nearly 45 years and a warm recognition of his work during that period. On the motion of the Rev. F. W. Robertson, Waipawa, to which the Rev. Waugh, Havelock North, and the Rev. I). J. A. Shaw, Hastings, spoke, the Presbytery recorded the follow ing motion: That the Presbytery, in accepting Hie resignation ol the Rev. J. A. Anker, 8.A., as Minister of St. Paul's Church, Napier, and on his retirement from the active work of the ministry, place on record its recognition and appreciation ot the great services rendered by him during the course of a ministry which had extended over fl years, eight years being spent in Gore and 36 years at bt. Paul's, Napier. The Presbytery is thankful to God for a ministry both fruitful in the life of the congregation, tho community, throughout the Presbytery and in the Assembly. Excelling in all departments of a minister’s calling Mr Asher has served ‘‘the Mother Church of the province” with conspicuous ability, holding a very deep place in the affections of the people, ministering in the fullest sense of the word, always a source of guidance, inspiration and consolation. Keenly interested in all that makes for the welfare and progress of the people, he has taken an active and sportive part in the life of the community, and has always been one of its best citizens. His work for the Church beyond the bounds of his own congregation has been of a most outstanding nature. For many years he carried the chief burden of the Presbytery’s over-sight and direction of its work over its hide area. In the General Assembly he rendered service of a high character, being repeatedly appointed convenor of a com ant tee set up to deal with the most delicate and important matters, and was honoured in being called to the Moderatorial chair. In all things dignified and impressive, and gifted with marked felicity of expression, he has greatly commended the Church as her representative as occasions have demanded. His co-Presbyters will ever remember his strength and grace, his tolerance, fair-mindedness, kindliness and brotherly love. Particular reference must be made to the closing years of his ministry. He was called on to suffer the loss of his wife —his partner and helper for many yeais. The historic church that he had preached in for 30 years was completely destroyed by fire. A noble edifice was erected and was about to lie opened when the disastrous earthquake of February 3, 1931, occurred which with the fire that followed destroyed church, schoolroom, classrooms and other valuable buildings. The difficulties caused by these losses, added to the trouble and sorrows of the people, created dark days and placed a very heavy burden on Air Asher. Yet “out of the darkness great pleasutes came,” faith, love and loyalty triumphed, and the last stage of his ministnf, though in some respects tragic, might well be described as the greatest. .Members of Presbytery assure him of their great regard and affection, and best wishes for a happy eventide after so strenuous and successful a ministry, knowing that his work is by no means over, and that when an opportunity offers, he will continue his service for the cause that he loves so well. The Rev. Hemi Potatau expressed the gratitude of the Maori people for what Mr Asher had done for them during his eight years on convenorship of the Maori Mission Committee. Messrs J. 8. Butler, T. H. Ringland. W. J. D. Williams, Commissioners from St. Paul’s congregation were present and they, too, made eulogistic references to the work of Air Asher. CONGREGATIONS RESOLUTIONS The congregation of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Napier, held a meeting on Monday night, and on the motion of Mr W. McCulloch, seconded byMr C. Douglas, expressed its profound loss with the prospective retirement of the Rev. J. A. Asher. The resolution read as follows: The congregation of St. Paul’s, Napier, having heard from the Rev. J. A. Asher of his intention to place his resignation of the charge in the hands of the Presbytery, and to retire from the active ministry, wishes to express its deep sense of personal loss at the prospect of the termination of what has been a long, honourable and devoted ministry. At the same time tho congregation fully sympathises with Mr Asher’s desire for a time of leisure and freedom from the cares of the pastorate, and therefore resolves tn acquiesce in tho proposed resigna t ion. The congregation proposes at a later date to take opportunity of more fully expressing its appreciation of Afr Ash or’s long and unique ministry, and in ’he meantime contents itself with stating that it is aware that Mr Asher hnd planned to seek an earlier retirement, but the necessities of the charge twice caused him to sacrifice his own comfort in the interests of St. Paul’s first, when the church was destroyed bv fire, and again when the earthquake olunged both congregation and individual members into sudden and unforeseen difficulties. The regret of the members at parting with their minister after such long and hnppv association is tempered with satisfaction that he can now look forward to a period of well earned leisure, into which he will carry with him the affection and respect of the congregation to which he has ministered so long. The congregation desires that all ossible honour she,,ld ho shown to Vtsher on his retirement, and in no-- ■ tl l ; .r ex| <** ' ■ ' * h-i’ he will 1.0 appoin ed Mnrster Emeritus with a seat in the elur.b court-. Various si:-..,-' the vane * *E ' rreat regret ■ ’• - rcKpect of the ter minntion of l»»« Ministry. The re“if!nati«»n was receive'’ nnn ncccptcd with regret