AFTER THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16985, 23 April 1917, Page 8

AFTER THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS

A NOTABLE MINISTRY. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES AT ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

Dr Rutherford Waddell, of St. Andrew's Church., celebrated yesterday the thirtyeighth anniversary of tho of a singularly influential and inspiring ministry in that church. Tho day was also observed as home mission Sunday, a special address on baek-blocks mission work being given at the morning service by Mr James Robertson (a home missionary of experience in both the North and South Islands). Special reference to the anniversary of Anzac Day was made by tho Rev. A. C. Randerson in an address to the children. During the service tho senior elder (Mr Walter Gow) said he had been deputed by the session and the Deacons' Court, on their behalf and on behalf of the congregation, to convey to Dr Waddell an expression of their feelings towards him on t-nis anniversary. He referred to the length of time during which Dr Waddell had ministered to St. Andrew's congregation _ and the changes that had taken place since he came. During all that time he had served them in a wonderful way, and ho was not sure that they were as thankful as they should be for 'all he had done The ministry had been a wonderful one in its intellectual freshness, and his services were even more highly appreciated now than they were in his earlier days. There was special reason for making some recognition at the present time of what he had done, and so the following letter had been drawn up:—"To the Rev. Dr Waddell, —On the occasion of the thirtyeighth anniversary of your ministry at St. Andrew's Church, the session and Deacons' Court, for themselves and as represent*!*: the whole congregation, desire to convov to you heartfelt congratulations. They take this opportunity of assuring you of their fullest sympathy in the afflictions that have come _ upon you the passing years, afflictions so borne as to afford us a true example of Christian fortitude. That you are still able to sustain so much of the pulpit and pastoral work of the church with unabated force and effectiveness is matter no less a wonder than of delight to us. They desire to convey .to you the continuing loyalty and love, both- of old and young alike, of those who have grown up under your ministry, and of those who have more recently come among us. That St. Andrew's maintains so high a standard as it does, notably in its Sunday school activities and its missionary contributions, is largely due under God to your inspiring leadership and to your unwearying attendance at the many meetings of the church. You have also found time to exercise a weighty and growing influence outside the bounds of the church, and of this fact 'we are proud. Finally, _it is our prayer that with you it may belight at eventide, and that your bow may long abide in strength.—On behalf of the office-bearers and . congregation: A. M'Kenzie. Session Clerk: A. M'Natjghton. Deacons' Court Clerk." The congregation endorsed this letter by rising and singing the doxology. _ Dr Waddell, in responding, said it would be affectation for him to say that this did not give him unspeakable pleasure. It was a thing to be profoundly grateful for that after 38 years in that congregation he should receive s"ch a token of recognition from them all. Nobody was more conscious than himself of how unworthy he was of all their forbearance and their kindness. In their tribute to him he saw not what he was, but what ho ought to be. He would merely content himself with saying a simple "Thank you," and at the same time asking them to interpret that in the largeness of their own generosity. Dr Waddell addressed about 50 of his Sunday school teachers after school in the afternoon, and in the evening he preached his anniversary sermon to a, very large congregation from Judges vi. 54: "The Spirit of the Lord came upon (or clothed itself with) Gideon, and he blew a tiuronet": and IT Chronicles xxiv. 20: "The Spirit of the Lord came upon Zerhariah." The musical service was led by a specially-strength-ened choir under Mr G. W. Johnstone, and at the close they rendered as an anthem the Aaronic blessing—"The Lord Bless Thee and Keep Thee."