REV. D. HIRD'S MINISTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8603, 9 June 1908, Page 3

REV. D. HIRD'S MINISTRY.

AN AUSPICIOUS OPENING. The crowds which met and participated "i'u last night's.meetings must have warmed the heart of tlie new pastor of Emmanuel Congregational Church. At the tea there was a record attendance, the largest yet seen at such a function in the church, and all enjoyed themselves thoroughly, as a consequence of the splendid manner in which the ladies carried out their duties. The Rev. W. A. Evans, of Wellington, occupied the chair at the public meeting, and proceeded to give the history of the church since the resignation of the Rev. Sidney J. Baker. Mr Evans congratulated the people on the realisation of their desires in getting Mr Hird pastor. One. ot the weaknesses of the Church Universal to-day, said the speaker, was the lack of intellectual power, the lack of conviction and the want of grip. In Mr Hird they had secured one who, by sweat of brain and agony of heart, had worked his way into the very heart of the Gospel he preached. A preacher should be more than a mere lecturer on doctrine. He should be one who lived the Gospel in his everyday life. They would find Mr Hird to be such a man. The speaker congratulated the church, and extended the heartiest welcome to Mr and Mrs Hird to the Wellington province. Mr Nairn, on behalf of the congregation, thanked all who had assisted them during the time they were without a pastor, and extended a hearty welcome to Mr Hird, assuring him of the best assistance and loyal support of the congregation. Mr. A. M. Lewis, secretary of the Wellington district congratulted the congregation on the excellent choice of a minister, and the minister on his choice of a congregation. He welcomed Mr Hird and family on behalf of the Wellington district.

The Rev. A. E. McDonald Aspland, representing the ministers of Wellington, congratulated both parties on their choice. He assured Mr Hird that he would have the hearty co-operation of his brethren in the ministry. Mr Aspland said that a great deal was being heard about a re-statement of belief. There might be some ground for that re-state-ment, but not so much as some people imagined. He would like to see the re-statement take the form of giving the world a demonstration of live, warm, and practical Christianity. In Mr Hird they had a man of keen intellect, crisp business capacity, and a true friend in the home. The Socialists sometimes said: "Put your pleads into your deeds. They would find that 'what Mr Hird said on the Sunday he put into practice on Monday. The Rev. R. McNaughton, of Napier, gave a sparkling address, and backed up the preceding speakers in eulogium and exhortation. Mr W. Smith (Colyton) said he represented the backblocks, and it gave him genuine pleasure to assist in the welcome of the new pastor. His Worship the Maj'or was the next to oiler a welcome to Mr Hird on behalf of the citizens, which he did in a few well-chosen words. The member for the district, Mr Wood, also added his welcome.

The Rev. Isaac Jolly joined with the others in welcoming the guests to the Chicago of New Zealand. He also welcomed Mr Hird as a "bn'ther Scot," but most of all as a brother minister. The Rev. J. J. Lewis was the next speaker, and on behalf of the Methodists and the- Ministers' Association, lie wished Mr Hird Godspeed in his work. " ! The Rev. Frank Macdonald, on behalf of the Baptists, and Staff Captain Henry, of the Army, also extended the hearty welcome of their several denominations. The Rev. D. Hird, M.A., was then called, amid great enthusiasm, and expressed the gratitude of his wife and himself for the splendid welcome ofctended. It was, said the speaker, encouraging and inspiring to feci the atmosphere of goodwill that was present in the meeting. He did not want to bo ungracious, but ho fervently hoped that they would "keep it up." (Hear, hear.) He hoped that they would "keep up" their good deeds and good words, and not wait till he was leaving to toll him how they loved him. 'Don't" said the speaker, "keep all the flowers for the funeral, and all the kind words for the epitaph." Mr Hird thanked all who had taken part in his welcome. He hoped that in the church there would bo nothing in the way of cliques. He would like to see bright, cheerful services, but he warned them that there was a danger of cheerfulness degenerating into flippancy, just as there was a possibility of reverence coming to dulness. They would try and steer a middle course. He would also like to' see the church take a prominent part in missionary work, which he considered was the primary work of the Church of Jesus Christ. (Applause.) The meeting closed with the Benediction. Apologies and letters of congratulation were received from the Revs. J. Reed Glasson, W. Dav, H. Beggs, S. J. Baker, the Hon. G. Fowlds, Messrs G. H. Hall (Christchurch). Lankshear, Granville Hunt, and MeadowcrOft (Wellington). During the evening Miss Ethel Martin sang "A Song of Thanksgiving," while the Congregational choir, under the conductorship of Mr A. W. Leet, rendered very nicely two anthems, "And the Glory of the Lord" and "Lead, Kindly Light." Another very acceptable item was Miss Tatton's splendid rendering of "0, Dry Those Tears."