WELCOME SOCIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17728, 12 September 1919, Page 2

WELCOME SOCIAL

REV. R. H. KNOWIiTiS-KEMTTON liONOURIiU Thcro was a largo gathering in the Hanovor Street J3aptist Cliurcli last night, when a welcome Booiul was given in honour of tho ltov. R. H. Knowlcs-Kempton, the now pastor of tho church. A lea was provided in tho Sunday suhool at 6 p.m., and tho second part of tho programme consisted of addrusscd by clergy from other churches and a number of musical items, special nnthoms being sung by an enlarged ohoir, under tho baton of Mir 11. 1 , . Dvsmoulins (choirmaster). Mr A. S. Adams presided, and seated with him on tho platform were tho Rev. 11. 11. Knowles-Kempton, clergymen associated with neighbouring churches, and tho ofljcc-beai-ers ot tho Hanover Street Baptist Church. Mr S. G. Griffith (minister of tho Tabernacle) said ho had no intention of rooking a speech, but desired to e/epresa his appreciation and thanks for 'being present that night, and to convey, on behalf of his church, a hearty welcome to Mr KrjowlesKeninton. He hoped that his ministrations would bo such us would bo appreciated largely by all concerned, and that it would contribute to tho glory of God and tho saving of men and women into His kingdom. Mr Griffith then read I Peter, v. 1 to 11, and subsequently offered up a short prayer. Tho Chairman said they had met for tho purpose of extending , a. welcome to the llev. Mr Knowles-Kempton. It was a very happy night for the Hanover Street Baptist Church. When tho church was faced with tho irrevocable decision of the Rev. R. S. Gray to resign tlio pastorate of Hanover Street Church, their eye-s turned naturally towards tho north. Their attentions were quickly turned to Mr Knowles-Kempton a3 a 'minister standing out prominently in tho Baptist Church of the dominion, with tho result that an absolutely unanimous call was sent to him. Ho hoped that Mr Kempton would bo their minister for many years. Mr Kempton's splendid services had earned for him the respect and admiration of all the members of the Baptist Church throughout this land. His services to tho Baptist Union were such that he was recognised as ono of the foremost counselors in that body. His interest, too, in foreign missions was suc-h as to make him particularly well known. Mr IT. H. Driver '(secretary 'of tho church) prefaced his remarks by a reference to tho loss tho church had sustained through tho resignation of Mr E. 11. from the secretaryship, and also tho church's regret at tho resignation of Mr C H. Tucker from the treasurcrship owing to his having removed north. Ho then read messages from tho Rev. R. S. Gray, former minister of the church; from the Tabernacle; (Auckland), where Mr Kempton had formerly laboured; from the president of tho Baptist Union; tho Rev. G. H. Balfour (president of United Christian Churches); and tho Rev. A. 11. Wallace, of tho United

Congregational Church. In welcoming Mr i Kempton, he said ho could not but regret and condole with him in the lofs ho had sustained in the death of one who had been his companion and helpmeet for so many years. They were pleased, however, to welcome Miss Kompton (the minister's sister) and his daughter Gladys.—{Loud applause.) The Rev. "R. E. Davios, on behalf of tho Dunedin Presbytery, of which he was at present Moderator, welcomed Mr Kempton. Ho foresaw a great- future boforp tho new minister. Tho question of union was in the air, and what was very necessary as a preliminary step was to learn to co-operate in tho grout work of the Master; this would tend to a better understanding. It was their duty to foster this spirit of unity. Ro welcomed Mr Kempton on behalf of his oongregation and office-bearers, and expressed tho hope that his stay in this city would be one of unalloyed happiness, and that his work amoris: them would tend towards the unlift of humanity. Tho Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt (Trinity Methodist Church) also extended a hearty and sincarc welcome to Mr Kempton. He said that Mr Kempton'a reputation had preceded him. 110 was sure that the forces of righteousness would be considerably strengthened by Mr Kempton's advent. There wore not wanting those who were constantly affirming that the Church had had its day. and that the world would be better if the money which was put into its service was used in other ways. The question is: Was the Church fulfilling a worthy function in tlif world to-dav? Ho contended that it was. Them were, in his opinion, scores of reasons why tho Church should continue to exercise its functions. The world owed a debt of gratitude to tho Church which it could never pay. Not only did the Church exercise a restraining power, but it exercised a sustaining power as well. Tho Church had stood throughout the centuries as the leader of forlorn hopes. Tho Church also stood as a groat impelling power. Ha believed ,that the Hanover Street Baptist Church, under tho leadership of Mr Kempton, would make itself felt as a restraining, sustaining, and compelling power in tho city. _ t> I Tho Chairman, in introducing tho Roy. A C. Randerson, referred in eulogistic j torrr.fi to tho excellence of tho service rendered by tHat gentleman to the church j during the interregnum. • M* Itanderscn eaid it had been a pleasure

to him to preach to them for the past oght wee ] cs _it; wag one of the brightest spots in his life. The congregation had rendered him every assistance* in his work, and the atmosphere created could not be finer; wid he was sure that Mr Kompton would find it 60. The Rev. W. Saundera (Moray Placo CongreirAtional Church), in extending a. welcome, said ho hoped that Mr _ Krampton would havo a very fruitful ministry. It hnd boon .slid that the Church was becoming unpopular. That was probably true; but it could not be denied that there was a fino moral tone about the people of Dunedin. He wished Mr Kempton happiness and success in his ministrations in this city, and thftt every year would soe progress in his churnh, and that the people- would feel that a strong man had come to them. The Rev. C. Dallaston (of tho Otago Auxiliary of tho Baptist Church), in extondhig a welcome, said that Mr Kempton and ho were trained in the samo college. He knew their new minister to bo a man of sterling character, possessed of a big heart, and with largo sympathies, and he was 6ure that the people of Hanover Street. Church would find this out for themselves. Thorn were seven Baptist churches in the suburbs, and he hoped that Mr Kempton would find time to visit them. Mr Kempton, on rising to reply, received quite an ovation. Ho thanked those present most sincerely for their cerdhl reception, and ha also thanked tho speakers for their words of welcome. Ho appreciated verv highly the goodwill of his ministerial brethren, nnd ho hoped that they would learn from contact with him that )if» was there " to ptrive to play tho game." With regard to what the previous speaker had said, ho would endeavour to visit the suburban churches. In coming to Dunedin he realised that he had come to a beautiful city, but he wished it to bo understood that ho also came from a beautiful citv (Auckland), but Dunedin had the advantage of being a highly moral city. The ohurch had a high reputation especially af regards its office-bearers, such names ,-.s Mr Adams and Mr Hercus being household words in their counciLs. Ht> esteemed it an honour to bo appointed pastor of the Hanover Street Baptist Church. He thanked Mr Driver sincerely for his thoughtful reference to his late wife. His worthy sister would do the honours at tho manse. lie recognised that he had come to a church that was loyal to tho evangel of Jesus Christ. Ho knew that he was following a minister who had dono magnificent work in this community, and a man of outstanding merit.—(Loud applause.) Ho appreciated tho way in which they apE lauded tho name of Mr Gray. Ho had a<l one or two anxious moments in deciding to follow a man who was so capable nnd so brilliant. Hβ asked for their loyal support. His intention was to present tho Gospel cf Jesus Christ, as they in tho church not only preached the gospel, but they stood for what tho gospel stood for. For one thing, the time must come when they must evangoliso tho slums. Ho did not come among them aa an extremist, and lie had every respect, for tho honest business man; but he recognised that amonp the- working men were to bo found sorn'o of tho whitest men he had ever mot—they wcro Christian in everything but name. He again acked for the assistsnco of his congregation in doing tho will of God.— (Loud applause.) During the evening tin? following musical propxammo was contributed:—Solos, Miss K-Tihleon Cartor ("Tho Home Pong") Miss Mrdn Paine ("O Lovely Night "\ Mr H. P. Dosmoulins ("God Send tho Day"), nnd Mr .Tohn Leech (" Th<> Roses of Picardy"). Tho choir rendered Jackson's Te Dcuai Laudamiis and " Sun of My Spul." All the itcma warmly applauded, fho soloists being omeored. Tho function was broujrht to a cloao with tho p-'nsrinrr of tho doxology and tho pronouncing of tho ljOTiediction.