MAORI HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18875, 30 May 1923, Page 4

MAORI HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

WELCOME TO THE RET. A. C. W. STANDAGE. A social, held in the Coronation Hall, , Maori Hill, Last evening to welcome tne ««. A. C. W. Standage, the recently-inducted minister of tho local Presbyterian Chiuch, und Mrs Standage, wan largely attended. The chair was occupied by the Kev. A. imFuilayson (Acting Moderator), v.-ho, in W» opening remarks, said that ho felt that iui Standage in 'Maori Hill was the right man in the right place. . Mr G. H. Juop said that he presumed ha bad been naked to speak lor two reasons,, first, because ho had been the first to spcaK in their church; and secondly, because ho was Moderator of the Presbytery. Mr Jupp otresscd the importance of the whole church Ireing of one mind, so that its work could increase Tho minister would not bo able to do anything without tho support and assistance of the congregation. When every man and woman took an interest in thechurch, then the work would go on. Speaking m a humorous vein, Mr Jupp remarked that every minister the Maori Hill Presbyterian Church had yet had had been a fellow student of his; so it had had "a fine opiscopal succession." If it should ever be necessary to appoint another minister b~ recommended them to select him from his fellow students. "Then," he said, "you can be sure of Retting a good man, a true man, and a man who will lead you in ways that are right, and proper." The speaker congratulated the congregation on tho settlement, and added that its minister possessed scholastic ability and personality. Mr P. L. Clark, in welcoming Mr and Mrs Standage on behalf of the. Kirk Session, said that ho was very glad that in the week they had been in Maori Hill they had already established a happy relationship with the congregation. IT? knew Mr Standage would put his heart into his work, and the members of the session would work with him to the best of their ability. He was sure that they would have every reason to bo proud of their minister. Mr J. Tt. Steven spoke on beiialf of the Deacons' Court and of the Missionary Committee. There was still, he. said, much work to be done, and in Mr Standage they had! n, loader, without whom they could not proceed satisfactorily. Mr Standage would hold the assistance and support of the Beacons' Court, and Mt Steven trusted that he would see that the interest in missionary work was maintained and, if possible, extended. Mr O. S. Pearn, speaking on behalf of tho Methodist Church, said that Scripture commanded \\a to rejoice with those who rejoice, and tho Methodist Church rejoiced with tho Maori Hill Presbyterian Church in its good fortune in securing Mr Standage's services. He welcomed Mr Standago to Maori' Hill, and expressed the hope that his- work would be fraught with blessing. Mrs Shaw, one of the oldost membsrs of the congregation, welcomed Mr Standage on behalf of the Ladies' Guild and the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union, and Mr Sneddon (superintendent) on behalf of the Sunday school and the Bible Class, of which he. aaid there was a membership of 75 that be honed to see increased very soon. Mr G.. J. Scott, choirmaster, in offering the choir's loyal support, appealed for more interest in its activities and for more members. The Kov. A. C. W. Standage thanked those present most heartily for the welcome which they had given him and Mra Standage. It was simply the climax to the welcome which had commenced immediately upon their arrival in Maori Hill, and he felt that they were among a warm, hearty people. His return to Dunedin meant to him a happy reunion with many acquaintances of his student days. He had been, touched by the words of welcome from Mrs Shaw, and said that ho was glad that ho was to have the support of the choir, and, in fact, the support of all. During the evening the choir rendered "The Sea Hath Its Pearls" and "Green Grow tho Rashes, OJ"'in a very efficient manner, and Miss Tait sang "Eour-leafed Clover" nicely.