THE REV R. S. GRAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15488, 14 December 1910, Page 10

THE REV R. S. GRAY.

FAREWELL FROM BAPTIST DENOMINATION. PRESENTATIONS AXD SPEECHES. A complimentary farewell was tendered to the Rev R. S. Gray last even, jng at the Oxford Terrace Baptist Schoolroom, by the Baptist congregation and other representative Baptists from all parts of New Zealand. Mr Gray has just been granted an eight months' holiday by his congregation, and as he is secretary of the New Zealand Baptist Union, his approaching dewas made the occasion of an all round farewell. Mr R. Milligan, president of the Baptist Union came up from Oamaru to preside at the gathering, and among others who journeyed long distances was Mr T. E. Toneycliffe, on old member of the church, who travelled from Gisborne. Several congratulatory telegrams were read by the chairman, including one from Dr Henry and family. The chairman, after congratulating the Oxford Terrace members on their decision to give their pastor an extended holiday, said that he had been selected by the Union to convey to Mr Gray best wishes for a pleasant holiday. The denomination was under a deep debt of gratitude to Mr Gray for his sterling work for the church, especially during the last six years, when he had been secretary to the Union. Mr Milligan, in a further eulogy of Mr Gray, said that with his abilities he had had excellent prospects in the commercial world, but had abandoned them for tho Christian ministry. (Applause.) The Christian church demanded the very best service, and he congratulated Mr Gray on the he had come to. Mr Gray had brought to bear on the civic life of the city the principles of Christ's teaching, and his efforts in the cause of temperance were well known. (Applause.) He was glad of the opportunity to say how much they loved and admired their minister.

Mr S. R. Ingold, secretary to the church, said that the church had made rapid strides under the ministry of Mr Gray, who had admitted to membership 387 members, and who was loved and respected by the congregation. Sister Grace, on behalf of the Dorcas Society, expressed appreciation of the work done by Mrs Gray for the Society. She would carry with her the warmest wishes for a happy holiday. Other speakers, who all spoke in high terms of Mr and Mrs Gray s work, and wished them " God speed," were Mr J. D. Fraser, on behalf of the deacons' court; Mr H. Jones, Linwood congregation; Mr C. R. N. Mackie, Endeavour Society; Mr W. J. Jenkin, Chinese class: Mr W. M'Gregor, Bey Scouts; Mr W. H. Babcock, Bible class; Miss Beck, young women's Bible class; Mi- A. Chidgey, treasurer; Mr T. E. Toneycliffe, on behalf of absent friends and ex-members; Rev L. M. Isitt and the Rev W. J. L- Closs (president of the Ministers' Association). Several presentations were also made to Mr and Mrs Gray. They consisted of a. cheque from the congregation; a cheque from the Baptist Lnion,, handed to Mr Gray by Mr A. F. Carey, after a complimentary speech; a travellingrug from the Bible'class; a jewel-case for Mrs Gray, from the girls' Bible class: an autograph album, containing the signatures of the Chinese Sunday scholars in Chinese and English. Mr Jenkin also handed to Master A. Gray a gift of books from the Boy Scouts, among whom he had been troop sergeant. _ Mr Gray, who was received with cheers and applause, said that he was hardly able to express his appreciation of the heartiness of his. good-bye. He felt their kindness deeply, and would be very glad if he deserved only a. small portion of the encomiums heaped upon him. Referring to- his ministry, Mr Gray said that in fifteen years he had had" more happiness from the privileges and blessings of his office than he could ever have imagined. He had never had a minute's anxiety caused by anv member of the Baptist Church, and he had always had carte blanche from deacons and people, who had counted it a privilege to second any of his efforts for the extension of the Kingdom of God. He could not have worked so zealously if it had not been for their assistance, and he could not adequately express his opinion that any blessings enjoyed by the church had been due to the members' fidelity to God and loyalty to their minister. He hoped that his holiday would be profitable for his congregation's sake as well as his own, for he realised that his trip would not have, been possible without the great generosity of the church. He could hardly believe that he was to go to Palestine, where ho might be made a. better man and minister, and learn to interpret the teachings of Jesus Christ after meditation on the spot where Ho had lived. Mr Gray added that he wmild visit the United States, where he would see prohibition the success he believed it was in that great country. Next to the ministry, he regarded the prohibition movement as the most urgent. Mr Gray paid a warm tribute to the influence of his wile in making his ministry possible at the start, and thanked all the speakers for their kind wishes. Mr Gray was again enthusiastically applauded on sitting down, and the gathering dispersed about eleven o'clock after hymns and the benediction.