DR JAMES GIBB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22713, 28 October 1935, Page 5

DR JAMES GIBB

AN OUTSTANDING FIGURE MEMORIAL SERVICE AT FIRST CHURCH At tlic close of his sermon in First Church yesterday morning the Rev. W. Allen Stevely made touching reference to the death of Dr James Gibb. “ On Thursday last,” he said, “ many hearts throughout the Dominion were profoundly touched by the tidings of the death of the Rev. Dr James Gibb, who for many years was the most conspicuous clerical figure in the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. For nearly 18 years Dr Gibb was minister of First Church. Those years were full of prodigious labours for Dunedin and the Church in this Dominion. Endowed with special gifts and strength, he employed these untiringly in the service of Christ. “ To appreciate the phenomenal place Dr Gibb filled in this community,” said Mr Stevely, “ we must turn to the records of the memorable farewell gatherings 32 years-ago when he was. translated to Wellington. At the meeting of the Presbytery of Dunedin on July 14, 1903, amongst the expressions of appreciation of the manifold service Dr Gibb had rendered the church and city, the Rev. Mr Dutton said that Dr Gibb’s going from Dunedin would cause a blank not easily filled. Those who had been associated with him knew the zeal, energy and ability that had characterised his labours. On that occasion the Rev. D. Borrie recalled that he had had- the honour of inducting Dr Gibb into the pastorate of First Church and stated that under his ministry that church had grown. The Rev. Mr Will remarked that he had never personally known any man who could get through as much work as Dr Gibb. He had been an extraordinary worker. On July 15 the Garrison Hail was packed when the congregation of First Church assembled to take farewell of their, beloved minister. At this gathering the , Rev. J. M'Kcrrow mentioned some things that had impressed him about Dr Gibb. These were his absolute sincerity, his truly sympathetic nature, and his intense earnestness. That earnestness was shown in the great question he carried to a successful issue—namely, the union of the two branches of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. it was revealed most of all in his proclamation of the Gospel. “ What was the inspiration of this Christian servant of titanic strength and wide sympathy?” asked Mr Stevely. “ We find it writ large in that impressive farewell sermon preached by Dr Gibb on the evening of July 12, 1903, to a church filled to overflowing with men and women desirous of hearing his last message as minister of First Church. ‘My ministry,’ said Dr Gibb, ‘has aimed at exalting Christ, at persuading men to enthrone Him in the heart of their hearts. I have preached Him as the manifestation of the holiness and wisdom and love of God—His Cross the divine propitiation for the sin of the world. I have set Him before you as the one and only Saviour of the human soul. I have held up His life as the ideal at which God means us to steadily aim. I have proclaimed the will and spirit of Christ as the only solution of the great world I have tried to preach to you the Gospel of the Son of God, even of that divine and eternal Christ Who is the same yesterday and to-dav and forever.’ “We thank God for the gift of His servant,” said Mr Stevely. “We join in the prayer that the Father of all comfort will grant His tender consolation to the bereaved.” ■ At the close of the service the organist (Dr V, E. Galway) played the “Flowers o’ the Forest.” The hymns used were those sung at the farewell service in 1903.