ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 120, 20 April 1934, Page 8

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

CALL TO REV. JOHN HUBBARD. A unanimous call to the pastoral duties of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was extended Rev. John HubbardrM.A., 8.D., of Kelburn,.. welling, ton, by a large gathering of the congregation last night. Rev.,J. Paterson, pf Wanganui, presided and, in addressing the gathering, emphasised the important nature of the task before the meeting. Only under profound conviction of Divine guidance should they arrive at any decision, he said, The post to which they were to call a man was one of great importance, for he would have to fill the threefold position of a leader and executive, a teacher of the -Word of God, and a pastor and a friend. Mr Paterson made a plea for unanimity of spirit in any choice made. All should support the man for whom the majority decided, whether he was the man of their personal choice or not. Mr W. B. Tennent. said that the Deacons’ Court had considered the matter of a stipend, and preferred that the whole sum be paid as one, incorporating car allowance and other expenses. Air Tennent accordingly moved that the minister to be appointed to the charge should be paid £550 a year, together with use of the manse and payment of telephone rental. Also that the pastor be given one month’s holiday every year.. The resolution, seconded by Air A. D. Campbell, was carried unanimously. Air Tennent, on behalf of the selection committee, then formally moved that a call be extended to Rev. John Hubbard. This choice was entirely unanimous on the part of the committee, said Air Tennent. It was only nine years Eince Air Hubbard was ordained to the ministry. He had occupied two charges, and in each case had made a conspicuous success of his duties. Prior to going to Kelburn he was at Drury, in the Waikato. In three years lie had increased the membership at Kelburn by 65 per cent., according to the Year Book of the church. Various church activities were equally successful, debts had been wiped off, and. youth work expanded. Interviewed in Wellington regarding the projected invitation to Palmerston North, Air Hubbard had immediately intimated that the interests of the cause he served would be the sole factor actuating him in the matter. Some of tlie most effective ministries in New Zealand had been conducted by men in their thirties, and there was no reason why Air Hubbard’s comparative youthtulness should be anything but a recommendation for him. If the.call were extended to him, St. Andrew’s should have a wonderful future, said Air Tennent. The motion was seconded by Air A. J. Graham, who said Air Hubbard would prove a great asset to both the church and the community. He had all the qualifications for a teacher and leader. Mr J. Wallace also heartily supported extending a call to Air Hubbard. When the matter was put to the meeting, not a single dissentient vote was recorded. Air Paterson assured the meeting that its choice was in his opinion an exceedingly wise one. It was a great pleasure to him to know of the unanimity in the church which made a decision possible at such a comparatively early date. The official call will be left in the church for the next two Sundays, give ing every church member an opportunity to append their signatures. "Messrs J. C. Young and W. B. Tennent will prosecute the call before the AVellington Presbytery. BRILLIANT SCHOLASTIC CAREER. Rev. John Hubbard, who was born at Oamaru, had a brilliant scholastic career at the primary school and at the Waitaki Boys’ High School prior to proceeding to the Otago University in 1918. He secured his B.A. degree in the 1920-21 scholastic year, winning a senior scholarship in philosophy. Twelve months later he took his M.A. passing with first-class honours in philosophy. He then entered Knox College and took his B.D. degree in 1925, the examination being conducted by the Alelbourne University. On his being ordained he took up his first charge at Drury, Waikato, the entry upon his life career being attended by immediate success.