ST. CLAIR CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15552, 6 September 1912, Page 3

ST. CLAIR CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

A WELCOME SOCIAL. A large gathering of St. Clair Congregationalists ami friends met in tho school null belonging to the church lust night for the purpose of welcoming the Rev. \V. J. Ashlord, who has recently taken tho pastoral charge. Tho gathering was pleasantly itilorimil, its chief object iicing to alford nn opportunity of innkinß imator and people butter acquainted with one another. Tho gathering was presided over by the Kev. \Y°. Saunders, who referred to tho steps which the Selection liad taken in filling the vacant pastorate. Three ministers were recommended,, but (he committee had no difficulty, assisted by the Colonial Missionary Society in Lonilon,\in giving a unanimous call to the Rev. Mr Ashford. In conclusion he read apologies from tho Revs. Messrs Dnlton (Presbyterian), Drake (Methodist), ami lleighway. The Mayor (Mr J. Wilson), briefly addressing the meeting, expressed the hope that Mr Ashford would be suci\"6sftil in his pastorate, and that the congregation would prosper under his care, lie was glad to join in the welcome as Mayor of Duncdin, and also as a friend of the church, for ho ought to be its friend as it was in that church that he was married.—(Cheers and laughter.) Ho honed that both Mr and Mrs Ashford would have a very successful career in connection with the St. Clair congregation. The Rev. G. Lindsay, of the Presbyterian Church, said he had great pleasure in joining in the welcome to Mr ami Mrs Ashford, and had no doubt that the experience of their new minister would bo instrumental in upbuilding the congregation. He urgrd the congregation not to allow the enthusiasm at present shown to diminish, but to so increase that they would work heartily with the pn*tor. ' Messrs T. J. Moody and C. R Hunt extended welcomes on behalf of the Church Committee, and referred to the indebtediiors of the congregation lo the Kev. Mr Ncwhold for supplying the vacant pulpit. Mr_ Ashford, who was very warmly greeted on rising to (.-peak, thanked the im-mlters of the congregation for the very cordial welcome extended to him and Mrs" Ashford, and said he was specially grateful to the representatives of the oilier churches who had so kindly joined in the welcome. This, he believed, was an indication that sectarian considerations were coming to a close, and that denominations were becoming all one in Christ Jesus. They had been told of the circumstances that induced the Church Committee to send their invitation to him. but they had not heard what had induced him to come to them. Those circumstances were, that he had head about St. Clair and the history of their church, and ho had at once made up his mind thai Iheirs was the very church he would like to come to. He was looking forward with great delight to his slay amongst them, but honed that they as a people would rally round liim and consecrate themselves to the work of the Kingdom of God, H c appealed to them as members of the church and congregation to pray ami work also.

The Rev. Mr'Xewbold added a word of welcome.

During the ercning solos were sung by Mrs Wakefield Holmes, and Miss Darling save a recitation in a verv eifectivo manner. Refreshments were handed round at the close of the meeting.