A LEADER IN YOUTH WORK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19042, 12 December 1923, Page 5

A LEADER IN YOUTH WORK.

FAREWELL TO KEY. J. C. JAMIESON. The Dunedin Presbytery yesterday entertained at a farewell luncheon at the Y.M.L'.A. the Kev. and Mrs J Q Jamieson, who are about to leave next month for Victoria, where Mr Jamieson has been appointed assistant director of the Youth Work of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. The moderator, the Rev. G. H. Jnpp, presided over a gathering of about 50, including members of the Presbytery and their wives and representatives ot the Foreign Missions Committee, the Bible Class Union, and the Presbyterian Sunday School Union. The Chairman said he desired to express their pleasure that Mr Jamieson had got a position so much in accord with his talents and with his long-continued studies. While rejoicing that lie had got that position they were very sorry that ho was going away to Australia to exercise his gifts. He could have exercised them ouito as well here. The Rev. J. Kilpatrick, clerk of Presbytery, said he much regretted the necessity for that gathering, though pleased that the Victorian church had considered Mr Jamieson worthy of that appointment. He made special reference to Mr Jamieson’s father, speaking of his characteristic and neighbourlinoss and practical kindly Christianity. Ho personally regretted that Mr Jamieson was going away, and hoped to hear great things of his work in Australia. Miss Budd, representing the Young Women’s Bible Class Union, said that tlio union owed a very great deal both to Mr and Mrs Jamieson for their help throughout (he past 21 years. The books and notes Mr Jamieson had published and the syllabuses he had drawn up had been most useful and helpful, and so had his leadership at Bible Class and Sunday School Institutions. They felt that the place of Mr and Mrs Jamieson in their union throughout New Zealand would never be filled. Mr G. W. Carrington, representing the Presbyterian Sunday School Union, said that no body of people would miss Mr Jamieson more than the Sunday School workers, for whom ho had done a unique and wonderful work. He had been one of the first to realise the need for new methods in Sunday school work, and by his tactful ways had done much to bring about the advances that had taken place. Sunday school teachers throughout New Zealand owed a tremendous debt of gratitude to him for his work in preparing syllabuses for the dominion conferences. He trusted the position to which Mr Jamieson was going would prove only a stepping stone to the position of director, which ho would fill admirably. The Rev. A. M. Beattie, convener of the Presbytery’s Youth Committee, said they all felt, they were losing a friend, but they rejoiced that Mr Jamieson’s worn was being appreciated on “the other side.” He hoped they might have the pleasure of welcoming Mr and Mrs Jamieson back to New Zealand in a few years’ time. Mr J. Farquharson, president of the Otago Council of Sunday School Unions, added his regrets at Mr Jamieson’s departure and his appreciation of his work. Mr Jamieson, he said, had always stood for a higher standard of religious education and for giving the first place to Bible study. The Rov. H. H. Barton, who had been associated with Mr Jamieson in his work for the Missionary Training Institute and on the Foreign Mission Committee, added his tribute to the worth of the guest. He did not know that the church had anyone who could compare with Mr Jamieson in export Knowledge of the literature of youth ■work. On behalf of the Training Institute Committee he asked Mr Jamieson to accept the gift of some books as a memento of bis time with the institute, and an expression of goodwill to Mrs Jamieson and himself. Mr Jamieson returned thanks on his own behalf and that of his wife for the unexpected honour that had been done them. Ho greatly appreciated the references to his father, who was now 84 years of age. Ho, was sorry to be leaving New Zealand and to be ceasing his ordinary pastoral work. He well knew how difficult the work of a youth agent was to-dav. because qf the state of the minds of young people, and ho thought it was going to be more difficult yet. There was the diffi culty also that came from those who looked on and criticised what was being done. He quoted 1 some amusing instances of this. He considered we were just coming now into the real difficulties of what was to be done in religious education. Ho went with boundless hone in the great church to which they belonged and, a loving faith that the h"art of vouth must at_ least respond to the appeal of Jesus Christ. His appointment was for three years. The gathering concluded with prayer and (ho benediclion.