KNOX CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14378, 23 November 1908, Page 3

KNOX CHURCH.

REV. W. HEWITSON'S RETIREMENT. Before'delivering his sermon in Knox Church yesterday morning, the Rev. W. Hewitson had a few words to say to tho large congregation present with reference to his •recent appointment as head of I lie new Presbyterian Theological College. "As you are all aware," he said, "we have arrived at a point in the history of our congregation that is somewhat critical. I have bevii appointed to my new office ns from tho let 'of January next. No date has been fixc<l for my resignation of the pastorate of this church. That is left for our mutual arrangement. Naturally I am anxious not to carry on my present duties too long. I shall have as much and more than I can do to prepare for the opening of the college. Everything there is a beginning; and, furthermore, as I have some teaching to do upon subjects that I have not dealt with after the fashion that I shall have to deal with them in the coiiegc, it will be necessary for ino to have as much time as possible.for preparation. On the other hand, I feci that I must consider the interests of tho congregation that has been 6o kind to me. _ I do not wish to go iway and leave you. in difficulties, ajid I do not wish to occupy my position so long as to hinder you from beginning the steps that you . take for the finding of my successor. Wo shall hold a meeting of the Deacons' Court, at which we fhall confer as to the date of my resignation and how the work is to be eonductecl. Before I came to you 14 ' years ago I received an anonymous mesago from somebody, containing these words: 'Come over and help us.' Since I have been here, and some time after coming here, in some way—either by examination or the paper or by looking at the writing— I have come to the conclusion that Iknow the person who sent that message; and if my s-urmice is right from the day that I came, until this- present moment tho sender of that mejsago beer my loyal friend and my helper to the very utmost of his ability. Now tho time is not far distant when you as a congregation will have to address that message to somebody else— 'Come over and help its'—and it appeared to me that I might say a few things this morning relative to the circumstances in which wo find ourselves." ; !l ; Mr Hewitson'then proceeded to indicate tlio principles which should -guide the congregation in the choice of his successor, basing his remarks on tho/scriptural incidents of the choice of Matthais and the guiding of Paul to preach in Macedonia. Ho. drew attention to the prominence given in both stor,ies to the Divine leading, but tho exorcise of human judgment also occupied am important place. They must first look to the Bible for guidance as to the true nature and functions of the church as their conception of that Jlvould determine the kind of man they would look for. In liiikiug their choice they imi't consider '.-:•■:-ic;>iiiI character and.circumstances of i) y> o-w-»cp;ation. and it-i rela'ien to the ehnrcli '•..;. ,-. whole and to the community. Ik iii*,'!'!!' ft:-.-] .i.'i to work logcthe- and ri.-ind b.v rtisir Hn.-Tch .-•! ! iiij |.j m p. If they followed ill-: course that f'.-.u?-and his companion-:- took ihey would find !.!,.:• ,n)a,i; whom God had chosen for the position," ,".nd their besl days v'c.ukl boyetio o-->me. '