REFERENCES AT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 31 July 1911, Page 5

REFERENCES AT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

At the Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening the Rev J. R. Shore preached from Joshua 1-2: "Moses, my servant, is dead; now, therefore, arise and pass over this Jordan." At the close of the sermon reference was made to the late Mr T. E. Taylor. All lovers of social reform, he said, would regret the death of such a powerful advocate of temperance and other reforms. Considering his seemingly untime death some might sadly say:— The good die first, And they whose hearts are dry as summer dust Burn to the socket. That, however, was not the true view to take, for every man is immortal till his work is done. That a man of exceptional ability had been taken from them both friend and foe willingly recognised. His great talents were devoted to the highest uses. His was A life in civic action warm, A soul on highest mission sent, A potent voice of Parliament, A pillar steadfast in the storm.

The late Mr Taylor was one of the greatest moral and social forces in this country. His power was deepened by his intense moral enthusiasm. In the face of opposition he showed undaunted courage and endurance, He heeded not reviling tones. Nor sold his heart to idle moans. He showed a most untiring energy, and if life was to be measured by deeds and not by years, he must be considered to have lived a long life, although his years were comparatively few. Probably his most admirable characteristic was his strong faith in God, and the firm foundation of religious principle on which his actions were based. His last message to labor was' a witness of this. His spiritual. interest will be a great comfort to his friends to-day, f'6~r It's only by our hold on Him We keep our hold on those who pass Out of our sight across the sea, And underneath the churchyard grass.