TRINITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17661, 13 December 1917, Page 6

TRINITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

FAREWELL TO REV H. JOHNSON

Last night there was a. large gathering in Trinity Hall to say farewell to the Rev Harry Johnson, pastor o'f Trinity Congregational Church, who Is about to leave Christchurch for Auckland, he accepted a call to tho pastorate of the Mount E'den Church ia that district. Mr A. S. Parker, one of the deacons, picsided, and in a few remarks introduced the business of the evening. This comprised a musical programme contributed to by Mesdames Hargreaves,' Smith, Moggridgo and Day and Miss Gwen Johnson and Messrs F. Penfold and F. Woodham. The Rev W. Tanner, of Tennyson Street Church, spoke highly of the work done by the guest, who was about to leave them. Ho felt he Was not wrong in saying that those who had listened to his preaching were better men and women for it, and that the boys and girls of the church had all felt a great influence for good. The church had cause to, be grateful fox the work that had been done in it under the Rev Harry Johnson’s tryTho Rev Allen Job, of the Linwood Congregational Church, spoke in similar terms-of regret at the lots of Mr Johnson. It bad been a real pleasure to work with him, and to b'e cheered by his brotherly spirit and his readiness to give help whero help was wanted. /He was, a real Congregationalist, and the speaker, while regretting his los3, wished him every blessing in the work ho yms going to do. Mr Wade, of Timat*u, also spoke highly of Mr Johnson’s work, and on behalf of the Timaru Church wished him every success. The Rev W. J. Williams, representing the Ministers’ Association, also referred in high terms to the work Mr Johnson had done, and expressed his regrets at losing Mr Johnson. Sir W. Bull, in the name of the members, adherents and friends of the church, presented tile Rev H* Johnson with a well-lined' wallet. The Rev H. Johnson feelingly replied. and. thanking the donors of the gift he had just received, said that his fivo years of service in that church had been of the very happiest, and he could bear the highest testimony to the support that had been given to liim in the labours he had undertaken for the Master. He accepted tho gift as a token of the best wishes of his people, and he thanked them for their kind wishes and the speakers for the kindly things that had been said ot him. . . . Mr W. Wilkinson, in the name of tho donors, presented Miss Gwen Johnson with a handsome fountain pen, Miss Moyna Johnson with a hand mirror, and Mr Eric Johnson with a razor strop. , ... Mrs Day, speaking for the choir, presented Miss Gwen Johnson with a silver chain purse. All the gifts were suitably acknowledged by the recipients, and. Wfter these present had, teen entertained to supper by the ladies an enjoyable evening was brought to a close.