GORE METHODIST CHURCH.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1170, 16 April 1903, Page 2

GORE METHODIST CHURCH.

A POPULAR MINISTER. Tne Rev. H. L. Blamires, who is to the Rev. H. Beggs as pastor of the Methodist Church, arrives to-morrow to up his new duties, and will conduct the vices on Sunday. The 'Outlook' that a farewell social was tendered to Mr Mrs Blamires, in the Hamilton (North Church, on Friday, April S. There very large gathering, but it would have much larger had the weather been favorable. The chair was taken by Worsley, the senior oircuit steward. Rova. Mr Adams (Presbyterian) and Mr Gibson were also on the platform. The man presented the quarterly balance-sheet the meeting, and spoke in feeling terms of guests of the evening. He bad beenassooiated with his minister—not only church life, where they all came in contact with him and knew his worth—but in the social circle, and in his recreations, and these were the things to try a man's mettle. He had found him every inch a man, and -vould like to assure him bow general was the regret that he was so soon to sever his official connection with the circuit. Mr Tidd, secretary of the Board of Trustees, fpoke as their representative, and gave a glowing account of trust matters. Their pastor had inspired oonfidenoe in the financial concerns of the Church, and tbeir trust account was one of the happy evidences of this. Mrs Harlidk spoke on behalf of the Sunday School, and Mr B. Webber on behalf of the Y.P.B.G.E. The Revs. Adams and Gibson continued the chorus of appreciations. The former told how Mr Blamires had been the first to welcome him to Hamilton, while the latter spoke for the neighboring circuits, and represented a very wide circle, where the influence of Mr VBlamires was felt. On rising to respond, the guest of the evening was greeted with much enthusiasm. He said he felt very deeply the kind things that had fallen from the lips of his brethren, and bis office-bearers. Both Mrs Blamires and himself had spent three happy yearß in the cirouit, and they much regretted that the Conference had not permitted them to remain another year. During their term the membership roll had increased SO per cent., and there was muoh to lead them to believe the circuit was in a healthy condition, both financially and spiritually. He testified to the ready assistance of his office-bearers, and to the noble work being done by the local preachers. He was trusting God to make his way plain in the future, and he advised them to all rally round his successor, and to co-operate with him for the extension of the Church and the glory of God. A bountiful supply ot refreshments was provided by the ladies of the congregation. The last meeting of the Y.P.B.C.K. was also made a farewell to Mr and Mrs Biamirea, during which Mrs Jones,, as the senior member of the society, presented them with a silver-mounted cruet, suitably inscribed, as a small memento of their great love and esteem for them. Mr Blamires has devoted muoh time to the young people of the cirouit, and their regret at his departure is, therefore, correspondingly gnat. A similar farewell was also held at Ngaruawhaia.