N.E. VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18898, 26 June 1923, Page 3

N.E. VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE REV. R. E. EVANS'S VALEDICTORY. During the service on Sunday morning last the Rev. B. E. Evans spoke as follows : “It is with great regret that we have found it necessary to leave you for fresh fields, for as you yourselves know perfectly well, that had it not been for the uncertain state of health which has boon out lot for some time past, the question of leaving you would not have been entertained by us. As a congregation, you have been all in all to us. We have watched you grow from year to year, and throughout the of our ministry you have been patient, long-suffering, and sympathetic towards us, sharing our anxieties and troubles as brethren beloved, and as far as we are concerned the parting is like leaving the home fires for fresh fields and pastures new. During our ministry hero there have been some outstanding features of the work which call for special thanKfulness to God. For some years past ihcre have been numbers of our young people coming forward to the Lord’s Table and church membership. This fact is the more encouraging when it is remembered that in nearly every instance, the young communicant came forward voluntarily. Tins is indeed, a very hopeful sign, and has been the source of great joy to the minister and session. The prayer of the minister and session is that the day will soon come when all these young folk will be actively engaged in some definite work for the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Another matter which calls forth our deep gratitude to God is the fact that the congregation is well on the way to support its own missionary in the foreign field. The sum of nearly £l4O per year for five years has been promised for this purpose, and it is hoped that this sum will bo largely supplemented by the time our missionary is in the field. We are also exceedingly thankful to record four volunteers for mission work during recent years, one of whom has been attached to this congregation by the Foreign Missions Committee as ‘our own’ missionary. Remembering these facts, and the feeling of goodwill, which exists throughout tbe congregation, you can understand how difficult it is for us to part from you. You have helped, encouraged, and inspired us in ©very possible way, and in leaving you wo feel that we are leaving friends and coworkers whose places in our lives will be difficult to fill. Your future is in good hands. With such a band of office-bearers you have little to fear; for they are strong in faith, fervent in spirit, and aro possessed with a holy love for things divine. It would indeed, bo difficult to find a more loyal, devoted, and energetic set of men than are found in the courts of this congregation. My successor, whoever he may be, will be, as I have been for the past six years, a fortunate and happy man, and our prayer is that you will give to him and his the same place in your life aa you have given us.”