A POPULAR MINISTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20310, 19 January 1928, Page 7

A POPULAR MINISTER.

FAREWELL TO REV. MR MACLEAN A CONGREGATION’S TRIBUTE. LOSS TO ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH. Last evening the congregation and friends of St. Andrew’s Church met in Waddell Hall for the purpose of bidding farewell to the Rev. Hector Maclean and Mrs Maclean who will leave shortly tor Australia. Mr Maclean, who has been in charge of the church for seven and a-half years, has been appointed to the chair of Old Testament Studies at Ormond College, Theological Hall, Melbourne. Hi s populanty in the charge he has now vacated was fully evident by the numbers who assembled, more than 200 being present when the proceedings were opened. The speeches voiced the genuine regret of the members of the church in Dunedin th© loss of one of their most brilliant ministers, but the speakers assured Mr Maclean of their best and heartiest wishes for his success in his professional work in Australia. The hall was brightly decorated with summer blossoms and greenery, and on taking her place beside Mr Maclean on the platform, Mrs Maclean was presented with a beautiful bouquet of sweet peas. The Rev. E. J. Tipier (interim moderator of the presbytery) presided, and after an opening prayer had been led by the Rev. J. Kilpatrick, he read many apologies for absence. During the six or seven years that Mr and Mrs Maclean had been associated with St Andrew’s Church they had, he said, endeared themselves to its members. Tne departure of Mr Maclean meant that the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand was to lose one of the most brilliant of its ministers, while Dunedin would lose one of its best and most fearless ministers and thinkers. He had carried into his work his own fearless personality, and although in some ways it was a shy one, it was direct and incompromising. His ministry had been one of rare skill, but the speaker was glad that he had been called to a work which he had loved and to which he was so suited from the beginning. It was to be regretted that this work would not be carried on in Dunedin. All who knew Mr Maclean were entirely convinced that he would do exceptionally good work, and his unusual gifts would enable him to inspire as well as teach the students. There was no possibility of Mrs Maclean becoming submerged in the strong personality of her husband, and sh e would receive all good wishes for success in her duties as the power behind the throne. As a representative of the Dunedin Presbytery, the Rev. D. Campbell (moderator) said he considered that the authorities of the Victorian Church had done wisely and well in selecting Mr Maclean. Although it was regrettable that his congregation had to part with him, the occasion was not one for sorrow, as their minister was to carry his work into an advanced and important sphere. The success he had achieved should be an incentive to the young men of the church who were studying for the ministry, for Mr Maclean was a young man, and others should be encouraged in an attempt to emulate his example. Both Mr and Mrs Maclean would carry with them the best wishes of the presbytery and the members of the church in Dunedin.

The Rev. W. B. Scott, as a representative of the Rugby Referees’ Association, said that he wondered why the Presbyteiian Church of New Zealand had allowed Mr Maclean to leave the country. However, the occasion was one for rejoicing rather than for sorrow, for Mr Maclean’s work in Victoria was a great and important one, and the speaker was sure that a time would come when the members of St. Andrew’s Church would refer with pride to the fact that Professor Maclean had been a minister of their church. Mr Maclean had taken a very active interest in Rugby football affairs, and the referees of Dunedin were unanimous in wishing him and his wife every possible success. Mr W. Gow, as a representative of St. Andrew’s congregation, said that tho church had been particularly fortunate in its ministers. It was no easy task to follow the footsteps of Dr Waddell, but Mr Maclean had done admirable work in his position, and his untiring efforts had been responsible for keeping the congregation together after he had taken over the charge. The speaker had never known a man who was so illuminating in his preaching as Mr Maclean had been, and there was no question that he would be a valuable teacher in his new position. He had stated that he had gained much during his association with St. Andrew’s, but it was also true that the church had gained much. What he had gained was due to the natural development of his work, and was the rightful reward for his earnest studies. Mr Gow then presented Mr Maclean with a wallet of bank notes, and after a happy and eulogistic speech, Mrs Edmond presented Mrs Maclean with a wristlet watch for herself, a bangle for her eldest daughter, a fountain pen for her son, and a case of spoons for her youngest daughter. On behalf of the young peoples’ organisations Mr C. A. Hamer stressed the good work done by Mr Maclean in their midst.

Mrs Maclean expressed her appreciation of the kindness of the congregation. She referred to the happy relations existing between all church workers, and thanked particularly the ladies of St. Andrew’s who had done so much to assist her.

On rising to speak, Mr Maclean was greeted by the singing of “ For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” He thanked the speakers for all they had said, and referred to his many pleasant memories of the Dunedin Presbytery. The elders of the church had given him every consideration during the seven and a-half years of his ministry, and he was satisfied that no minister could be supported by better or more sensible oflice-bearers. He was glad that the church now possessed three young men’s Bible classes and two young women’s classes. These classes had been smashed by the war, and the churches had been forced to begin again at the beginning. He felt, however, that they were now round the corner, and in the future the classes would continue to flourish. In conclusion he assured his hearers that Mrs Maclean and himself would never forget their pleasant associations in Dunedin. During the evening items were contributed by Mrs M'Laren (song) and Messrs R. D. Nimmo (instrumental), J. J. Davis (song), S. Osborne (recitation), and A. Sutherland. After the principal speeches ot tno evening had been delivered supper was served, and a social hour followed. At Us conclusion the Rev. Mr Tiplor spoke briefly, and tho benediction was pionouneed by Mr Maclean.