LEAVING NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7055, 17 February 1910, Page 7

LEAVING NEW ZEALAND

FAREWELL TO REV. DR. AND MRS JONES. PRESENTATIONS BY CONGREGATION. The Unitarian Free -Church ! was, crowded last night, the Oceanian -being a farewell conversazione to the Rev, Dr 1 . and : Mrs Jones, who leave for England • next'Friday week. / , :” Mr . Richardson; -who presided, said; Dr. Jones had “ shaken np the dry bones " and had taught his congregation to think. Ho had:’been in Wellington four years and it was a pity he was not here -permanently.., : Dr. Jones .had- been ably assisted bv his wife. . ;: iFrofessor. H. Mackenzie said - that five yeans ago a few men and women, upbn whom' the - ordinary. :-popular :: forms, ot : Christian religion had ceased to have - ; any influence, met together and tho nucleus of the now - flourishing; Unitarian Church was formed. Dr. J ones arrived a year later, and through- the enthusiasm of him and Mrs Jones the movement had progressed .wonderfully. Dr. Jones was i still, a student and .that accounted to a largo extent for his success "as a preach bi . of the Gospel. When a clergyman ceased to bo a student his influence to a large extent ceased -also. Dr. Jones was going Home for further study, and was not ashamed to.sav so. Ro hoped Dr. Jones would see his way to return hero soans day and continue his great work. On . behalf of the congregation; he presented Ur. Jones with, ah illuminated address and a purse of -sovereigns. . :;, : Miss- Richmond eulogised the worjc ■done by Mrs Jones. Sho had-set the women of tho Churoh an example of untiring work. ■ On behalf -of . them , aho f handed Mrs, Jones a Kohl watch and chain as a' -souvenir of the esteem w, which she is held. v-; .■ '. . The ’Hon, T. W. Rislop spoke m high, praise of Dr. and Mrs Jones, . Dr. Jones said he was extremely grateful , for the gregt kindness, which .had, been extended to himself and his vutu all the time {hoy had Jived in New Zea- ■ land 'Ho had come amongst, them an unkiiown mane and the newspapers had - given him a' three lino notice'for hn* first sermon; ' Since then, however, they had published many thousands of Lues - and ho could -only gay that all the Wellington papers had been very just to- ■ wards the liberal religion. He referred to the sermons, which had been preached against him four yegrs ago. ; It had heen said he would not feet- a - chance land .. would go Home a-failure., .The result, however, spoke for. itself. In four, years a sum of H»sf>o had been raised.' a hne church” erected,: and the, minister was paid a bigger salary than was given by more than half the churches in Wellington who boasted of haring existed nearly one hundred, years. On. behalf of him* self and his -wife; as members of the church, he had great: pleasure in hand* inj? over £25 to the building fund. If the church had any difficulties in, the future concerning the small debt. now, , owing he would* undertake to raise the necessary funds in. : England. - Indepcndent of that. £W or £SOO would be eent out for the building fund. . . - Mrs Jones also returned thanks.: * During, the evening musical-- and .elocutionary items were 5 contributed ■ by Misses Maltby, Newton. Fell, Kennedy, and Messrs Baldwin, Cathcart and Macfarlame.