WESTON-TOTARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13667, 8 September 1916, Page 1

WESTON-TOTARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

INDUCTION OP REV. ALEXANDER WATSON.

A new chapter in the history of the Weston-Totara Presbyterian Church was opened yesterday when the Rev. Alexander . Watson was inducted to the charge of the parish. The Presbytery mot at the Weston church at 2.30- p.m. The' Rev. J;- L. Robinson, interim moderator, presided, and there were present: Revs.' P. C. Rennie, G. W. Hunt, S. P. Hunter, and W. Niehol, (clerk), and Messrs J. D. Grant and W. Needs (elders). The clerk intimated that the edict, for the induction had been returned duly certified. Also he hai) received an extract minute, from the clerk of the Clutha Presbytery, intimating that the call to Mr' Watson had been placed in the latter's hands and that he accepted the same. . .

No. objection having been raised by any member of the congregation present, the Presbytery proceeded with the induction, of the new minister.

Tljc Rev. J. L. Robinson conducted 1 the service, which was largely attended, and opened with the hymn "0 Piir,'H6|p in Ages Past," after which the lesson was read from Isaiah vi. Prayer was-offered, followed by the hymn "I to the hills will lift mine eves.'' "

The moderator proaclied from the'text in Isaiah vi, 5, The vision described by the Hebrew prophet was a wonderful revelation': The all pervading presence of Jellovah filled the, put of Isaiah. And as. lie heard the angolic strain of "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts?.' lie realised the gulf that was fixed , betwoen the holiness of God and the sinfulness or men. The vision of God's holiness deepened the realisation nf human sin. The root idea of the word "holy" was tlia't of scparntencss. And by that all-pure holiness, God was separate from man. None but the pre could understand purity,. jiml men's chief acquaintance with God was in knowing what He was not. In his vision of the supreme holiness of God Isaiah realised the exceeding heinousness of sin, and as he listened to the seraphic strain the oiity< response ' his soul could make wits the words of the text "Woe to ine for I am undone, for I am a man of .unclean lips." If such a Vision as came to Isaiah came to men to-day no feeling of elation but of humility would 'fill the soul. The par : tioular effect of the vision upon' the prophet was to create in him the desire to join with the. heavenly voices, but words froze upon his lips, and the consciousness of sin smote him dumb, He also felt the sin of Ills people. What m<«L saw i'argelj' delermin'6*d their chariicier. The 'men who had •Tvrought great .things for Qod. had been' men "\Yitlr eyes —rteii.who, Md'be'eri seers;:' The preach-, er .enumerated the example of many (ral Booth, David' Livingston, wfco had teeiiipen if .•('ision;' .Corioludiifg, he said' that as the live coal from' the'altar had purged the soul of Isaiah, so the■shed blood of Christ would purge the' souls of ,men who came to Him. '■ .

. The Moderator then detailed the steps that had been taken to fill the charge, when it became vacant on the resignation of the Rev, J. D. Wilson, after which he put the prescribed questions to the minister, which were satisfactorily answered, and the question prescribed to be put to the congregation was also' answered to the satisfaction of the Presbytery. The right hand of fellowship'was- then extended to the Bev: Alexander Watson by the members of the Presbytery present, 1 ' , The Bev. P. O. Bennie then addressed the minister, to whom ho offered on behalf, of the Presbytery sonic words of advice. • Tlio work of the ministry tniighl men (heir lessons and also tlioir limitations. Although success in the Work was what all sought, ho thought it was the failures in the work that really brought the greatest blessings though they might not; be fully realised at the time, "You have," said the speaker,'' satisfied your teachers in the academic school of learning, but the higher school of human experience was a school of .hard teaching and called for more endurance'and patient faith than any other school of discipline." Mr Bennip said that as the prbacher had been specially called to jthe work of the njiiiistry lie must determine to "know nothing among men save Christ and Him crucified." He then enumerated the many and particular dangers to which the work of the ministry was subject, Ho urged the most important part in the work of the ministry was not in the,pulpit but lay in a close association with the intoreflts of the members of the congregations. He assured the minister' that the people would respond to •' any confidence _ he placed in them, and'lie would find ample reward in his service of them if he faithfully discharged the first essential of the Christian ministry. Communion with Cod was the great essential, for tlio minister was the bearer of a message from Goil to the people, to Was God's ambassador to bring them to Himself. The congregation was addressed by the Rev. S, F. Huiitcr, who said that ail members in signing the call to the new minister had made a solemn pledge which he urged they should be careful to fulfil. Dutiful respect was easy, but encouragement and obedience were not always readily given. The speaker then proceeded to explain the real meaning of the church, and tlio particular work of all its parts. The church was the body of Christ. Every part of the body must work its work in order that the whole body might be kept in proper health. The church was also the family of 'God which* entailer! all the obligations of family life. All were brethren and the church was the home of the family. .The church members were the children of God who had called tliem to be saints by vocation, The use of the word saint had been much perverted, particularly in the middle ages, but the ideal for tlio church was that all should be saints, and the speaker hoped that in the new ministry that ideal would be greatly realised. Tho realisation of that' ideal was impossible, however, unless the church followed the load of the minister obediently, Criticism of new methods was not the way to utilise (lie abilities of the minister to the best jjdvanlagc. It would be little use if the minister alood in the forefront of every good work and was not supported by his people. Mr Hunter concluded by commending the new minister to the love of the congregation, urging Ihein not to fail to exprcce their thanks to him when.

lie gave them that spiritual food for which their souls hungered. The service was concluded by singing and the pronouncing of the Benediction,

WELCOME SOCIAL. ! A welcome social was tendered to the new minister last night in the hall, which was''.well.filled, -the• meeting being a most happy find.enthusiastic'tine. The Bey. J. L t .Robinson presided and spoke of his previous association with Mr Watson and assured him of the warm welcome the Weston-Totara Church accorded its new. Minister and his wife. 'Ho especially, asked the con-, gregafion to remember the domestic and family ties of the minister's wife and not. to expect her to be always in their homes. . '

The Rev. W. Niehol. (clerk of /the Presbytery) welcomed' M|r Watson- as a brother minister, into the brotherhood of the Presbytery and assured him of the sympathy and, .fellowship of its members', and he also wished the congregation to give. a good start to Mr Watson's ministry among them, The Rev. G. W. Hunt, and S. F. Hunter also supported ,the Rev. Mr Niehol in his welcome on behalf of the' Presbytery, after which an interval of a few minutes, was allowed in order to give'opportunity for Mr Watson to lie introduced to tiio niombors of the congregation individually. The welcome oil behalf of the congregation: was expressed by Mr'"Stringer. (Weston) who said ho was glad for threb reasons that Mr Watson had cpme pioiigst them. Firstly because lie crime by invitation and not candidating; sec? oiidly, because, he came with good report from' former charges; and thirdly, liecause he came to help along the charge of Weston,-Totara. .

Representatives from other parts of the parish, including Mr Ruddenklau (Totara), Mr Isbistor (Ardgowaii), Mr Allen (Kia and Mr W. Needs also spoke warmly assuring Mr Watson of the welcome- of thoir respective churches." '

Before vacating the chair the Rev. ,T. L, Robinson apologised for the absence of the Revs. P. C. Reniiie, H. T. Blair, T. Ncave, and Messrs J. D. Grant, R. Brown, aud J. Lindsay of Totara. ,

The Rev. Mr Watson on rising to speak was gi.yen a,n enthusiastic, reception, He thanked the Presbytery and' the congregation for, the cordiality of the welcome, extended to,himself find the members of his:household. Whilst the Presbytery and the parish might vie with each other in their welcome he thought it rested with the parish to make him feel, most at home. The kindness expressed contained the. promise of a happy future. He referred to.the many-, duties'of a minister's wife., one -of which was to keep her husband jte;had felt himself very small as he listened to the addresses of the ' afternoon, biit he hoped all would put into practice the excellent instruction given/ A i congregation- might expect many things,of its- minister, but he had a , right.; 1 : to expect many, things of the gongregation, and,the success of a minister's'work was in a measure due to the inspiration, of his'people., He desired the friendship of the people, and hoped they would not hesitate to come,to the manse and see him. He particularlyinvited men and boys to visit him on Monday nights, so that there might be a mutual friendship between them. He would endeavour to fulfil his ministry amoungst them and asked them to remember that- Whatever he did or said behind it all would be the rpirit of Christ, Thouglfhe was a PresbylHnn by birth, training and conviction, Lis sympathies were broadly with all Chh,,. • ians. He believed in the Church and that there was no message like thai of Christ and Him crucified. ■ He again thanked the congregation for its welcome and said he looked forward to his work amongst, them with a great deal of pleasure. , Mr W. Rodgers on behalf of the parish said it ; ,was their duty to express their thanks to the Bev. Mr Bobinson now that the settlement of the charge was consummated. lie hff'd been a model moderator, displaying tact, wisdom and knowledge throughout the whole proceedings, ,On behalf of the parishioners lie, asked Mr Bobinson to accept a small token of their esteem and gratitude for the mannor in which he had conducted the business.

M|r Watson also added his appreciation of Mr Robinson's conduct of the, whole proceedings. The Rev. Mr Robinson suitably replied stating he had been greatly assisted by the courtesy and painstaking character of the selection committee,

■, During the evening items were contributed by Mrs Carmichacl and Mi 1 Parker, and several anthems wore given by the choir.

Votes of thanks to nil'who had assisted in tlio. service and the social were moved by Mr Rodgers nnd earned with acclamation, and the meeting concluded with the singing of the Doxology.