THE REV. B. Y. ASHWELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1055, 2 April 1867, Page 5

THE REV. B. Y. ASHWELL.

On Saturday evening the residents in tlie Hagstaff district assembled in the school-room to present the above rev. gentleman with an address and testimonial on the occasion of his leaving the North Shore on. a visit to the mother country. The rev. gentleman came to the North Shore about eighteen months ago, {'ram Taupiri Mission Station, oil account of Mrs. AshwelTs ill health, and as the services were somewhat irregular on the North Shore, owing to the widely-scattered population, Mr. Ashwellafc once threw himself into the work of ministering to the wants of the people, and has laboured zealously and effectually, without fee or reward, for the last eighteen months. It was to express their deep sense of gratitude that the meeting had been called. Mr. Beddoes moved, and Mr. Mats seconded, that Colonel Gamble take the chair. The Chairman said it was unnecessary for him to enter at any length into the object of their meeting there that evening. Anything he could? say would but weaken the force of the address which we are desirous of presenting to Mr. Asliwell, and which he believed represented fully—at least as words could do —their feelings towards this faithful minister, on the occasion of his departure from amongst them. He would, therefore, at once read the ADDKES3. To tlie Rev. B. Y. Ash well, Church Missionary Society's Agent, North Bhore, Auckland, NewZealancf. Reverend and Deais. Sir—On the eve of your departure for England, we beg on behalf of the congregations at ths North Shore, to express to you our heartfelt thanl's for your kinduess in ministering to the spiritual wants of this district during the past eighteen months, in the absence of ic3 appointed clergyman. "Whilst deeply lamenting the domestic affliction which necessitated your coming to this locality, we cannot but consider it as a blessiug to have received for so long a time the devoted services of such a zealous and faithful minister of the Gospel. We desire to express our acknowledgments of your liberal support of out schools, and of your neverfailing kindly offices to the aGlicted, and charity to tho distressed. You will oblige us by conveying to Miss Ashwell our sincere thanks for her valuable aid in the services of Trinity Church, and in the Sunday school. We earnestly pr iy that it may please Almighty God to protect and bless you and your beloved daughter in your visit to England, and that you may bo permitted by His gracious providence to return to New Zealand in renewed health, to ba again a blessing to tliosj who have so much benefitted by your faithful ministrations. As a humble token of our gratitude and regard, we beg your acceptance of the gift which accompanies this address. We remain reverend and dear 3ir, on behalf of the residents at tlie North Shore. —Yours, faithfully, D. J. Gamble, Col., D.Q.M.G-. Oliver Mays, Habeison Fendelow, George Beddoes.

He would state, for tlio information, of those who were not present at tlie previous meeting', tliat it was then agreed that a silver inkstand. sliould, if possible, be procured to accompany ; and in anticipation .of none lieing procurable, tliat the amount collected for a memento should be handed to Mr. Ashwell, with a request tliat he would himself carry out the wishes of his friends by purchasing an inkstand or any other more useful or acceptable article, and causing the following inscription to be engraved thereon : — PRESENTED TO THE Rev. B. Y. Asuwell, 1!Y Residents at the North Shoee, Auckland, N.Z., Iu grateful recognition of his services in that locality. March, 1867. The Chaih.max, turning to the Bey. Mr. Ashwell, said : It only now remains for me, Mr. Ashwell, formally to present this address and purse to you, and in doing so to assure you, on behalf of the residents here, that your ministrations in this locality hare been highly valued, and that we all wish you and your esteemed daughter a prosperous voyage, and wish. yotL may be spared to return and resume your labours at the North Shore.

Mr. Asiiwell tlien replied, ill an address of some length. He tlianked them all most sincerely, most affectionately, for that manifestation of kindly feeling towards him. In fact, sincc he had set foot on the North Shore, he had experienced the greatest courtesy and kindly feeling from everyone. He should treasure their valuable and beautiful address, and strictly carry out their wishes in the matter of the memento and the inscription. For their kind remembrance of his daughter he would most heartily thank them. She was a missionary's daughter, and as such he hoped she had imbibed the spirit of her dear departed mother. Whatever she had done for them had been, done, he was sure, cheerfully, and with a Christian spirit. Although they could not always have a clergyman to conduct their services in his absence, he trusted they would nofc neglect the assembling of themselves together, for the "Word of G-od was the same, whether read or preached, by clergyman or layman. He hoped they would be united and be faithful to their high calling. He hoped to be spared to return to them. Such was his fervent wish, and he hoped the blessing of the Holy Trinity would be with them and abide with them for ever.

A hymn was then sung and Mr. Ashwell engaged in prayer. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting. The address was accompanied by a purse of 20 sovereigns, which had been subscribed in a few days in the various places on the North. Shore.

The address itself was most beautifully engrossed and ornamented by Mr. Pulman, and was very generally admired. Considering the short time Mr. Pulman had to complete the work he has certainly executed it in a highly creditable manner.