BERESFORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7772, 19 October 1886, Page 6

BERESFORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

KEV. J. ROBERTSON'S VALIS.DIUIU.tiX SERMON. The Rev. J. Roberaton, M.A., who for the last; ten years has been minister of the Beresford - street Congregational Church, having acoepted a call to Petersham Church, Sydney, preached his valedic>tory sermon on Sunday night. The ohuroh was crowded to overflowing, many having to content themselves with standing room in the aisles and around the door ways. The Rev. Mr. Robertson took his text from Acts xx., 32, "And now, brethren, I commend yon to God and to the word of His grace, whioh is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanotified." He commenced by saying :— There is * solemnity about last things, last days, last duties, laßt words, last actions. I feel this on coming to our last Sunday service together. In the solemnity of a last time, I would take advantage of the feeling to speak once more to you of the highest things. I would pray that our last time may be our best and most blessed of God. My parting words shall be based on the last words of the first and greatest Apostle of a Church whioh he gathered and served* The last words of the first and greatest missionary. It may not be in my case as it was in his, when they sorrowed for the words whioh he spake that they should see hia face no more. I hope to see many of yon, some in Australia, some when I take a trip to old scenes where I have laboured in New Zealand, and visit •gain the friends I now leave behind. Bat before that meeting some may be gone, who it may be, none can tell. Let us all spend this hour so that if the meeting ia not here, it may be in a better world. The preacher then proceeded to deal with the leading features of the farewell address of the Apostle Paul. He conoludod as follows :— The time has oome for me to say good-bye, and how can 1 do it better than by following him whose words form our text, and by commending you to God? There is something in Christianity. The dying mother oan commend her child to God and die happy. Friends parting never to meet again ; as when a son goes away never to return, or a missionary leaves for the field where he is to fall and die, away from home and friends, can sing, 'Never part again, no never part again.' Standing beside the grave of the loved and dear, we oan commend ourselves and the departed to God, and go away somewhat lightened, strengthened, and cheered. And we, parting as we do to-night, ignorant of what the future has in Btore, can find comfort in commending one another to God. And there is comfort in the privilege of intercessory prayer. When we can do nothing, or when we have done what we could, when we oan do no more, there is joy in being able to oommend those we love to God. And now I commend the Church to Him. My interest in this Church has not ended. It will never end. I have not been ten years its minister, and I have not had the share I have had in the history of it during this decade, to go away without feeling deeply attached to this place and people. Three of my boys have been born here, and I want them to remember and love the place of their birth, and I care much for this place and this Churoh. My work here, however, now ends, and for the rest I affectionately commend my Churoh to God. He will provide a shepherd. And I pray that He will build you up, and increasingly bless and use you. And I commend you the members of my Church, and you who love God, to Him and to the Word of Hia grace. Some of you were in Christ before me ; but you have listened kindly to my words ; may God continue to feed you ! I may be permitted a special word of kindness and encouragement to many who are in Christ, whom God has permitted me to lead to Jesus. Oh, my friends, keep near to Christ. Remember when the end comes there will be nothing like being in Jesus. As John says, 3rd Ep. v 4, 'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.'. I leave you. I would have been glad to lead you on further, but I commend you whom I have led to Christ to our loving heavenly Father, until we meet before the Throne. And what shall I say to those still outside the fold of Christ ? My friends, I oommend yon to God. I have often exhorted you and pleaded with you, and prayed for you. Now I sorrowfully leave you; lam sorry to go leaving you where you are ; but I must go so, unless you will come now to Christ. It is terrible to leave you unsaved. But if it must be I can do no more. I commend you to God. ' Remember.' If lam not here, if you will call He will answer, unless you presume. This is where we are to-night, but bark I seem to hear a call. Hark, again, I seem to hear strains of sweetest music. Look! I seem to see a gathering home to Heaven. And ah, I see recognitions and reunions. One and another from Bereaford-street comes to weloome me. And now I weloome one and another from thiß place. But oh ! are any of the old faces missing Are any of you wanting Once again let me plead with you to make Bure work for eternity. Let me not only commend you to God, but let me lead you to Him to-night. That God is manifested in Christ. He is the theme of the preacher. I began my ministry here ten years ago by preaching on these words, ' Christ in you the hope of glory : whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.' And now I end my ministry pointing you to Him. As His ambassador, I plead with you to come to Him. It seems but the other day that my wife and I and our little baby oame, and you received us so kindly ; tut nearly ten years less of life are ours now than then. Time is passing, aot. Act now. Now is the accepted time. Now for any good resolves. Now for any noble purpose. Now for any holy enterprise. Now for eternity; now for Christ; now for God ; now for Heaven and Home. Time past Is gone ! Thou canst not It recall, Time present Is, employ the season small. Time future is not, and may never be ; Time present is the only time for thee. My dear friends, I commend you to God in the hope that I may meet you before Him, and that these ten years may be found to have helped you to get there. Amen.' i VALEDICTORY SOIREE AND MEETING. A valedictory soiree and after meeting to Rev. J. Robertson, M.A., pastor of the Beresford-atreet Congregational Churoh, who ia about to proceed to Sydney, wits held lost

night. Tea. was provided in the schoolroom adjoining the church, at which there was a ' large number present. The tables : we're presided over by. Mesdames Warner, Davies, Higgins, Eady, Edwards, Taylor, Johnston, Lovett, jHayles,-/ Brown, Cousins, Elkin, Rendell; Edmonds, McDonald, Legije, Eoglush; ; Ridings', Tudehope"*v and Miss Hoskids. After fall justice had been done to the liberally laden tables, the after meeting was held in the church. The building was well filled, and the chair was occupied by Mr. C. E. Button, and there were also on the dais Revs. J. Robertson, T. Hamer, R. Laishley, U. W. J. Miller, R. J, Williams, W. J. Gloss, Livens, T. Adams (Congregational), a. Maofarlane, C. Worboys (Free Methodist). R. Bavin, T. G. Carr (Wesleyan), R. P. Maoniool (Presbyterian). The proceedings opened with the singing of the Psalm, "All people that on earth do dwell," followed by the Rev. R. Laishley, who led in prayer. The Chairman read the names of a large number of city clergy who sent letters of apology for unavoidable absence, expressing the deep regret which they felt at the Rev. J. Robertson's removal from Auckland, Apologies were received from Mr. Thos. Buddie, Rev. G. Jones, Rev. Thos. Spurgeon, Rev. R. Maunsell, Rev. J. H. Jones, Kev. Thos. Bray, Rev. H. R. Dewsbury, Rev. A. Carrick, Rev. H. Bull, and Mr. J. Milne. The Chairman, in his opening remarks, said it was with mingled feelings that they met there this evening. They could not have met together but with regret to say farewell to their dear Pastor. Looking back at the ten years during which he had ministered among them, it must be said that their less was his gain. Daring that f time his name and prais6 were rung throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. (Cheers). Mr. Button proceeded to touch in feeling terms on the great loss the congregation would auatain at the departure of their pastor. The Choir then sang, with good effect, "O taste and Bee," (J. Goss). The Rev. R. Bavin, in a very telling address, spoke encouragingly of the work performed by Mr. Robertson, and read a letter from the Auckland Ministers' Association enclosing a resolution passed at a meeting that day, as follows — This meeting haying learned with regret that the Rev. Joseph KpberUoD, M.A., is about to leave Auckland for another sphere of labour in New South Wales, desires to record the high esteem in which he is held by hie brethren in the Christian mini> try of all denominations in this city, an 1 the sowonr which they feel at his removal from, amongst them. A? pastor of tie Utresfoid-street Congregational Church lot tlis last ten years he has given full proof of his ability, faithfulness, and zeal, the most palpable evidence of which has been the steady prosperity, and the life and activity manifested by the congregation under his care. Not only have his brethren had occasion to r.cjoice in his success, but his amiable disposition and frank genial manner, have secured for him their warm regard. Though culled upon In the providence of God to labour In another pari of the vineyard be will still be affectionately remembered by those who were his fellow-labourers here, and they earnestly pray that the Church's Great Head may abundantly prosper him in his new sphere ; that he may be long spared to carry on the good work for which he is to well qualified, and that he may have many souls as a " Crown of rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming.—(Signed on behalf of above meeting), Henry B. u,, Chairman; Robert Firgcjsson Macmcol, Secretary pro tern.—Auskland, New Zealand, October 18, 1886 Mr. Bavin said, although he had taken no part in drafting the resolution, he endorsed every word which it contained. (Cheers.) Rev. T. Adams spoke very feelingly of the assistance he had experienced from their departing pastor, and the many encouraging words he had received at his hands. The choir rendered very pathetically " The radiant morn hath passed away." Rev. S. Macfablank expressed the esteem and affection which he felt for Mr. Robertson. Mr. W. H. Hard wick (organist of St. Paul's) played " Bourrie " (J. S. Bach). Rev R. F. Macmcol, in a brief address, gave utterance to his regret at the departure of the pastor of that church. Mr. H. N. Warner, as the senior deacon, than presented to the departing minister, on behalf of the diaconate, a very handsome pair of oil paintings, being views taken from Mount Eden, one representing the view looking east towards Hobson's Bay and North Head and Racgitoto, and the second also from the same mount, taking in a part of the harbour. The pictures are from the brush of Mr. A. E- Aldis, an artist recently from London. The presentation was accompanied by a letter which was as follows; — " Presented to the Rev. Jos, Robertson, M.A., by the members of the Beresford-stroet Congregational Church on the occasion of his departure from the pastorate on October 1886." Rev. W. J. Closs and Mr. R. Tudehope (superintendent of the .Sunday-school) also briefly addressed the meeting. Mr. H. H. Smith then presented a very neatly framed photograph of the church, etc. Mr. W. C. Daldy, Jan., made a presentation of a very beautifully-arranged volume of New Zealand ferns on behalf of the ladies and friends to Mrs. Robertson. Mr. Daldy, in a few appropriate words, alluded to the good work which Mrs. Robertson had done among the congregation. Choir; Anthem, " Lo, my Shepherd is divine " (Haydn), The Rev. J. Robertson, who was received with prolonged applause, said that he would rather have the recollection of that meeting than the honour of dying as Sir Joseph Robertson or a millionaire. He would rather die with the good will of good men than all the riches the world oould bestow. He was glad to be able to go away with the congregation's good will and the many kindly expressions for his welfare that he bad received from the meeting. He was glad to be going to a place where he would be within two miles of his good father and mother, who would come to his ohurch, and then he would be near his brother. Mr. Robertson then, in a very feeling address, expressed his regret at the departure of himself and family from Auckland. He thanked them for the presentations, and felt pleasure at having a volume of ferns, one which had a/oc simile covering to that sent to one of the noblest of men William Ewart Gladstone. (Cheers.) He returned thanks to the brethren of other denominations who had attended the meeting. He concluded with a very eloquent peroration, wishing his congregation good-bye, and the hope that they would meet in that land beyond. An organ solo — Sonata in D from Mendelssohn—by Mr. Hardwick, and the pronouncing of the Benediction, brought the meeting to a conclusion.