Memorials Unveiled At Presbyterian Church

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1937, Page 3

Memorials Unveiled At Presbyterian Church

LIVE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WE LOVE IS NOT TO DIE. THIS AGE-OLD ACCEPTED TRUISM WAS EXEMPLIFIED YESTERDAY MORNING, WHEN A MEMORIAL TO THE LATE REV, G. W. LOCHORE

WAS UNVEILED AT THE WHANGAREI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, OF WHICH MR LOCHORE WAS MINISTER FOR 11 YEARS UNTIL HIS DEATH SOME EIGHT YEARS AGO.

Mr Lochore loved his congregation, and it was evident, from the largo number of old members of the congregation who took the opportunity to be present yesterday morning, that his memory is cherished by them. The congregation, which filled the church, extra seating accommodation having to be provided, was not confined to Presbyterians, all sections c/ the community being represented.

The memorial took the form of a handsome oak lectern, upon which was a beautifully bound pulpit Bible, with book marks embroidered with the Presbyterian Church design. This memorial was provided by members of the congregation and other friends of the departed minister.

A second memorial was a beautiful oak flower stand in memory of the late Mrs Lochore, who, in church and manse, was a devoted Christian worker bekfved by all who knew her. •

The dedication service, which followed the ritual of the Church of Scotland, was impressively performed by the Rev. W, Elliott, who delivered a moving tribute to the Rev. Lochore and Mrs Lochore.

Unveiling' of Lectern

The lectern was unveiled by Mr Don Lochore, and the Bible was placed upon it by the Misses B. and M. Lochore, sisters of the Rev. Lochore, They also put the book marks in the sacred volume.

Miss Jean Lochore unveiled the flower stand, on which Miss Shirley Lochore placed a bowl of blue flowers. Mr G, H. Morrish, who was session clerk during Mr Lochore’s minlsiry, formally presented the lectern to the minister, saying :“In memory ojt our beloved minister, the late Rev. G. W. Lochore, we ask you to receive this memorial, and dedicate it to the praise and glory of God.” The Rev. Elliott, accepting on behalf of the congregation, said: “We accept this gift as a sacred trust, and shall guard it reverently, in honour of the faithful and devoted life to whose memory it is erected.” The silver plate bearing the commemorative inscription on the lectern, and the book marks were given by the Lochore family, and the blue cushion on the lectern was made and presented by Mrs ,R. Tudehope.

Letters were received from Miss Marie Lochore, who is in Wellington, Sister Agnes Lochore and Mrs Lochore’s father, sister and brother, of Takapuna. A large" choir sang the anthem “What Are These?” (Stainer). Mr S. B. Dunn was at the organ. The hymns included “Hark, Tis the Watchman’s Cry,” “O God of Bethel,” “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts,” and “For All the Saints.” The Scripture reading was Psalm 86, which was a favourite of the late Rev. Lochore. It was read from the lectern by Mr Don Lochore. “Thank God They Lived,” In the course of his dedicatory address the Rev. Elliott said: “In a beautiful tribute paid to the late Dr. Horton some three years ago, Sir John Marriott said: ‘We ought not to sorrow that he died; we ought to thank God that he lived.’ I think this very aptly expresses the feelings of all who knew the late Mr and Mrs Lochore. We thank God that they lived.

Hence it is specially fitting that an oakstand for flowers should be put in the church to her memory. She was a natural lover of flowers. “This characteristic was evidenced in the spiritual realm, for she was a beautiful soul, loving and serving Him Who is altogether lovely, and Who has been poetically called “The Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.” “The memory of both Mr and Mrs Lochore abides with us as a mighty inspiration.

“The secret of it all was because they had drunk deeply of our Lord’s spirit, and shared in Hxs redeeming passion, and were absolutely consecrated In life. Because of this, they lived victoriously and witnessed abundantly. Henry George, the economist and social reformer, once met Cardinal Manning, and they started talking about religion. “George said; T love Christ because He loved the people.’ ‘And I,’ replied the cardinal, ‘love the people because I love Christ.’

“I believe the cardinal said the deeper, truer thing, and I believe that those whose memory we cherish today would re-echo the cardinal’s word. They received their inspiration to serve from Christ. I believe that love for Christ was the deepest thing in their lives, and the spring of all their multitudinous actions. “And death is no barrier to that love. During the closing weeks of Mr Lochore’s earthly life there was a confident looking forward to other service, and a faith that believed that, although he was cut off in the midst of his years. God had ‘other nobler work for him to do.’ “ Thou art not, death,’ I cried. For life’s supremest fantasy Had never thus envisaged death to me. ‘Thou art not death—the end.’ In accent winning Came the answer: ‘Friend, There is no death, I am the beginning —Not the end.’ “That was his faith, his assurance, his eager expectation. Service of Quality. “His period ox service was short, but it was one of quality, and quality, not quantity, counts with God. In otner words, God values highly the spirit that actuates the work. Would that we could catch something of that spirit today—a spirit devoid of self and which thought chiefly of service. And this is the challenge of today. “These memorials before our eyes in this church will be but an empty mockery if we go forth uninspired to be and to do better than we have done in the past. They will be futile unless there is a deep resolve in our hearts to carry on their work. Unless there is awakened within us something more of love to Christ, then today will be one of sentimental emotion, and not a day c(f real gratitude and memory at all. “The work of Christ is a great crusade, and needs every helper, and the memory of the past calls us to gird ourselves to the task. We commemorate best by consecrating ourselves to the same Master and Lord that they served, and pledge ourselves to the same great cause they had at heart, and be animated and sustained by the same high confidence that they had when they dedicated themselves to Christ and to His service.”

“Mr Lochore was a loyal and true friend, a preacher of the Gospel with evangelical fervour, and was ever ready to accept responsibilities in the wider interests of his church. He was the first moderator and clerk of North Auckland Presbytery. He was greatly loved, especially in the country districts, and, although travelling was difficult at that time, he did not neglect the scattered areas. “He sill lives in the affection and life of many in this community. He sowed seeds which will bear fruit for many years. He never spared himself, and he was essentially a large-hearted man. “But any reference to Mr Lochofrc’s work would be incomplete without recognition of the faithful service given by his partner in the manse, Mrs Lochore. Both co-operated in service, and their manse was a most hospitable place. She was a good mdther and a true friend. “Death has but little part In her. Love cannot die. Who reigns in every heart Hath immortality. Great Lover of the Beautiful. “Further, she was a great lover of the beautiful, evidences of which are still to be seen in the manse grounds.