CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18827, 30 September 1924, Page 8

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

DOMINION MODERATOR.

- INDUCTION CEREMONY- ■ . ;

A special service in connection \*jr itb| the appointment of the Rev. ; Harry John* son to the new office of moderator .;' of the Congregational .Union of ■ New ■ Zea-t land, and of the Eev. H. J. Ralph to the, charge of ; the Auckland Suburban - Mis-t sions,: was held in - the . Beresford Street) Congregational Church last evening. • The Eev. F. Tucker, who presided, ex* plained that the church /was following the example of the English Congregational Churches in forming districts, < each- with a moderator,..:' the aim being' to■ make the church work more [ effective. , Mr. John/ .son, who had f been chosen V as: the first; Dominion moderator, had special qualifica-i tions for■<■ the position. : Mr. Ralph, who was to be inducted to the charge of tha Auckland Suburban Missions, was-: admirably suited to the work. • : Mr. Johnson said the church was under,-* going reorganisation which called for ■: coordination. He felt like a "dew driver/' a term used in Africa for one who, walk* ing through the tall gr&s/ brought down the morning dew to his own discomfort, but by so . doing cleared the way foe others. ;.-// :^^..•^,^.^. , //.'J/- ; //'T v ~

; The need for 'a": revival of church in-< terest' among -suburban parishioners was emphasised by Mr./ Ralph. "The suburban churches were languishing, and effort must bo made to ; increase the congrega-. tions.

In delivering the induction charge to the two s appointees, i the Eev. Lionel B. / Fletcher said that Mr. Johnson was known; v throughout the world -for his noble mission work -in; Africa, and Mr. Ealph was one of the most respected i ministers in the . Dominion. They -j were "to undertake': appointments requiring perseverance, self 1 sacrifice, tact, ability, and wide vision., To my mind the*secret of a successful ministry is to be full of the ;.; work and -the love of God," said Mr. Fletcher, "and > in your .work there will be no respite." -