ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH CONVERSAZIONE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2409, 3 May 1900, Page 11

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH CONVERSAZIONE.

ANNIVERSARY OF DR WADDELL'S

INDUCTION.

The twenty -first anniversary of the induction of the Rev. Dr Rutherford Waddell as minister brated on Thursday night by a conversazione, which was held in the, Agricultural Hall. The ladies of St. Andrew's displayed their customary good taste in the decoration of the hall, which, with the aid of flowers, evergreens, and fairy lamps had been made to present a decidedly pleasing appearance.' A conspicuous feature of the stage decorations were plants of variegated flax, tois-tois grass, and beautifully-tinted autumn foliage, while the hall itself had evidently had great pains bestowed upon its decoration, with the result already described.

Mr James A. Park occupied the chair, and there were "about 1000 persoHs'-presenf, the fol- | lowing, among others, occupying seats on the I plaiform:— The Revs. Dr Salmond, .Dr Dun- i lop, Dr Waddell, Dr Banner'man, James Gibb D. Dutton, A. Don, - A. Cameron, P. W. Fairclough, J". Niven, and W. Hewitson, Professor Gilray, Messrs -A: Wilson, -T. Coull," and - W:'" E." Reynolds. A? number of apologies for ab-' sence were' received, and in nearly every case they were ' accompanied by 'warm expressions of appreciation of Dr WaddelP-s- work in St. Andrew's ' Church and of his services- outsideJhat' congregation. 'They were "from the follow-ing:—The-.Revs. D. Borne, A. Grei*; "J It' Fraser, W. M. Nicholson, J. J. Lewis, A. North' R. J. Porter -and W.^ Curzon-Siggers, and Messrs W. M'Hutcheson, D. Wright, and E Eosevear. The Clutha Presbytery sent the following telegram :— Heartiest -congratulations from Clutha Presbytery to Dr Waddell-on completion of 21 years' faithful and effective 'service—E. W. CuRBiB, moderator." j The proceedings commenced by the large .assemblage joining in the singing of the " Old | hundredth/ after which the Rev. A. Cameron \ engaged ia prayer.

Ihe Rsv. J. Gibb said that a church social ' meeting speech, usually lasted ha 1 * an hour, and I discussed everything on -the earth, and some 1 other things besides. That night he was glad I a limit of ten minutes had been prescribed, and «he speeches could not t possibly be discursive, far the theme was clearly ." .Dr Waddell," and a belter theme a "man could hardly have.—(Applause.) Before -proceeding to speak of their mend, however, he (the speaker) was tempted to' refer, in' the first , place, to another matter, "nearly — not quite, but nearly — as important and that matter 'was .the congregation of St! Andrew's. They were to be congTa'tulated on their exceeding wisdom in setting so admirable an example to the other congregations of the Church. Some of the ministers were counting up how many years it lacked to their majority," and were, no doubt, hoping' that when the time - came their congregations might follow the illus-' trious example ;set. by St. Andrew's. He (the speaker) had no eye to himself "in this' matter, for it wanted still- six years' to his own majority. —(Laughter.)..- The. 'only drawback was that' some congregations.,, seeing the enthusiasm" of St. Andrew's,, jnight be* moved not to go" and do 'likewise, but to envy them , their minister. It would be' a pity if it should all end in " Now, if- we only" had 'a minister like' that: "-^-(Laughter.) _ But," whatever .other- ministers -might de : served at- the -handa of their congregation, undoubtedly -Dr Waddell was emphatically worthy of the honour done him that evening. During "these 21 years, his ministry, from first to last, had _ been conspicuously successful — (loud applause),—and his success was all the more remarkable because it had been achieved in spite of a heavy handicap. He (tip speaker) referred to Dr Waddell's deafness. Perhaps, however, there was .another side to that. If their friend had done so well in spite of this infirmity, what would he not have done if he had Been as capable as the rest of them in hearing the cackle of the world ? He would have* been n phenomenal success, and probably would have become vain and arrogant. And even if that had not' happened, what chance would the rest of them have had alongside of him. He would have been first; and the other ministers just nowhere. Dr Waddell's deafness was a blessing in disguise. — (Laughter.) He (the speaker) was there on their behalf, and, still more, on -behalf of the chui'ch generally, to give expression to- the esteem in which Dr Waddell was held. They" esteemed him; first because he. was an able man, of alert, nimble mind, and with' an exceptional power of expressing his ideas in glowing speech. He was, moreover, a man who had diligently cultivated the gift that was in him, and in his knowledge of literature and the | 'literary side of theology he had no superior, and probably few equals among the ministers of New Zealand — (Applause.) Then their friend was a .man sound in the faith. It might' surprise some of them who went to St. Andrew's to hear that time was- when Dr -Waddell. was re-, garded as something of a' heretic. Astonishing to relate, time was when he himself was' supposed to be unorthodox.— (Laughter.) But whatever might be true of himself , he could assure them that Dr Waddell .was in all essential respects one of "the "soundest "men -in the church. Then Dr Waddell was a man of fervent enthusiasm. 'He was an- enthusiastic preacher and; pastor, and in some other things "beside. , He could not swim a stroke,-yet'he. (the speaker) had seen Dr Waddell calmly, propose to shin down a pole to the 'bottom of the Taieri, some 20ft deep, to recover a gun he had dropped out of a boat. That was only the eccentricity of genius. — (Laughter.) And it would be forgiven him, seeing that he carried, a prepared* spirit into all his-work. He was, moreover, a man of a very loving heart. " By his brethren of the ministry he was esteemed for many things, but for nothing more than for his never-failing sympathy and kindness. — (Applause.) And, finally, and above all, Dr Waddell was a devoted servant of Jesus Christ. There had been men in the chharch who prized their gifts for the honour and prai&e these brought them, but it could be honestly affirmed that Dr Waddell had laid all his talents on the altar of service to their Lord. And that was the reason for which his congregation should esteem him. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, said that he 'wished that he " was made manifest in their consciences." That meant that Paul desired to be esteemed, not for his eloquence and learning and 1 zeal, but because he was a faithful and consecrated servant of Jesus Christ. And. this Dr Waddell also was. And it was for this that he should be most of all appreciated by his people, and, doubtless, he was. — (Applause.) . He (the speaker) prayed that the "future of St. Andrew's and their minister might be one of increasing honour, usefulness, and success. As for their friend, what more could he say, than Mr Spurgeon had said on a notable occasion of the moderator of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of England,' " May he live for ever and the year after." (Loud applause.) Mr Walter Gow, representing the congregation, said that, being the son of Dr Waddell's "predecessor, he' was familiar with the circumstances which led to his coming amongst them. TBe . "congregation felt that it was an occasion for profound , thankfulness that circumstances , led ', them to f call Dr Wa^doU to"-" be their minister. He was privileged to be, present at the social gathering held at the time of Dr Waddell's induction. It was a splendid meeting, and he rememberedthat he was rejoiced at hi 3 coming^ In look-"

said that lie disovered four names which he had preserved to be read in the hearing of the congregation, because, notwithstanding that the congregation had kept itself well together, it depended very much on these men. They were John Paterson, James Smith, Thomas Coull, and John T. Jolmstone. — (Applause.) The congiegation were not aware how much they owed these men. He had already said that the call of Dr Waddell to the pastorate was a matter j for thankfulness, but it was necessary on an occasion of that kind to say something more | than that. He would try to avoid becoming I fulsome, bill the honest opinion of the congregation was that they had in their aninister one - who was gifted with 'exceptional abilities.--(Ap-plause.) Notwithstanding his services ren- ' dered inside and outside of the church, dispeople still Had a fair share of his 'personal services in moving in and out amongst them.. Sabbath after Sabbath he had gone on giving them of his best, and he had never preached a sermon perfunctprily. It had been agreed by j the congregation that on an occasion such as the present/ some more substantial . memento should be given than mere words. »Mr Gow then read the following minuce from the records of the Deacons' Court: — "Resolved — That this Deacons' Court; of St. Andrews- Churchy hereby place on. record "its high armreeiation of "■ Dr -"Waddell's .services during' his", term of 21 » , -years' ministry to .the congregation. .That the ] -sum of £50, with. a^ silver^ salver, Be. presented 1 ito--hiin the conversazione- to be held on^' ".Thursday, '26th* -April,- '19Q.a| hislsfipend ' be increased by -£so'- per* annum, arid that' t&e;*' Deacons': Court pray that God in Itis'.go6dn'ess" : " may long spare, him. to' minister to, this corir _ •gregatioiii" «. "The "inscription on the salver^was--"' ■/.Presented .-to" tKe.."Rev. ' Dr .Waddell.- M.A'J, 'I -D.L>:, V and * Mrs '-' 'Waddell, ' "15y ~:the' J cbngie- j gation of St. Andrew's "Presbyterian < Church, Dunedin, as a memento of the celebra- ■ tion of the twenty-first anniversary of Dr Wad- '" I dell's induction as a minister. April 26, 1900." [ — (Prolonged applause.) I The Rev. Dr Waddell said it was not' without ' some disquietude that he had anticipated that I j evening. He was not accustomed to address a ! [ meeting of that kind. Spread-eagleism was not ) i a common thing amoiagst St. Andrew's people, I but perhaps for once in -a while it might be permitted, more especially as the occasion was not HkeTy to occur again for some co'risiderable time.— (Laughter.) They had, however, to do"' with the present, -rather than with the future. He thanked the" chairman and Mr Gibb for their kindly reference to himself, and said he felt sure that not only Mr Gibb, but the others who had spoken, with regard to him had been interpreting his being and doing in the, light. | of their large generosity. .- •He ' proceeded to thank the women of the congregation for presenting a tea seiyice'io 3£rs Waddell' and a gold watch to-his daughter, and in referring to the j time "that he-had-been connected, with St. An- j drew's congregation, said that during his 21 ; j years in" the" ministry 'there the,- men ■ with whom he had had to. do had been gentlemen,and had ever treated him with the utmost courtesy and kindness. They had met hiswishes in every possible way, they had not only supplied his wants, they had anticipated them, a"nd tha-t night they and the congregation had jput thVciown "upon" a idng' series^of generous ■ and -thoughtful" act's -'/towards "him^ and his; What could he* say to .express 'his- gratitude"?. He would" not" attempt;it ln .words." -. For-words leas .than- his- feelings 'would .only 'shatae him, and b*e unworthy of -them 4 , .He .would o.nly say -T;haxx You,__and ask "them to 'interpret j-these brief.. words,"~oir6~of 'Jhe"fuln'ess"of 'their own sympathy and generosity.'.,' " . ;."*-' The Rev James .i3-ib,b, thgn. presented, DrWaddell* with -a- case containing the " Encyclo"psedia Britannica.", .Mr G-ibb was careful' to explain that the edition was not that recently -issued by The Times, and was presented to Dr Waddell by a num■ber -of - his admirers . .and friends — both ministers and elders,— : and rnoßtly members of the Presbytery of Dimedin. They desired to make this presentation-, not only because he was a right good fellow, but especially because of the service's he had rendered to the church in connection with that very meritorious publication, the Christian Outlook. He ventured to say that Dr Waddell was doing no better work in St. Andrew's or outside of it .than he did in his capacity of editor of the Outlook. In the opinion of competent jtidges, it was surpassed by no religious paper in the colony. , Certain members of the synod desiring to give expression to that affection they felt for its editor, contributed to purchase the iiseful present he had mentioned. The inscription it bore was: " Presented to the Rev. Dr Waddell by some of the ministers and elders of the church he has served so faithfully and well." Dr Waddell, in reply, said that the present was one that he had long looked forward to possessing. It ' would be extremely useful to him in"the particular work for which it was the recognition, and he hoped the givers 'would be pleased to accept his hearty thanks. The . book would be treasured by him, and he was sure that every time he looked at it it would remind him pf,the extremely pleasant relations ■he had with" the triemTiers fof -the -synod -during - his* 21- years -in -Dunedin. \. .. T)i Salmond said, that he counted it a great privilege to be allowed to take a prominent part - in" the proceedings of that evenings He was well persuaded that Dr .Waddell had abundantly earned 'the honours -that had -been- be- . stowed upon Mm <-both through his personal chafapter an'd'through-the quantity -and-quality of his work in this town. What were the peculiar characteristics "of "Dr' Waddell' s ministry and work by means of which he, had. obtained, . the great hold, that he had. on the estimation of this community ? -. The first peculiarity was that- in Dr Waddell they saw a union of "the ' highest literary culture along with a genuine religious zeal. It was a sad thing indeed when the pulpit became so cultured that it ceased to be in earnest, and also a sad thing when the pulpit was so very earnest that it became rude and barbarous. In Dr Waddell" there had been no such extreme. The second characteristic was that in this town he had taken a somewhat larger t and broader view than was usual of the function of the Christian ministry and its possibilities of service. There were many ministers — and he was not finding fault with them at all — who thought that in preaching the Gospel in the pastorate and teaching the young they discharged the whole duty they owed as ministers. But Dr Waddell, while not wanting in all this, had felt a call laid upon him through his own peculiar gifts to do a graa,t deal more as a -literary teacher and instructor of the people. He had combined them in a; way that was very rare, and indeed that was.possible only to a few. men; and by means of these gifts he had indirectly commended the Gospel to many to whom it would not otherwise have, been commended, so '.efficaciously. There was a third characteristic which he (the speaker) had r.oted in Dr Waddelh - The Doctor, along with his work in the church, combined a great deal of seal and interest in ..all social' questions, and showed that- his heart beat strong; and sound in^-sympathy with all that Seemed to be in a,ny way wronged, or oppressed, -or suffering.— (Applause.) Mr A, Wilson said : I have been invited here to do » little service .which cannot Jbe other than pleasant to me, seeing that it means therecognition of good work done by my: friend, Dr Waddell. I congratulate Dr Waddell on reaching hi9_ majority, and I congratulate his people on the Happy prospect they, have of enjoying his services,, for another 21 years.—"(Applause.)' 'I -have beenY asked by members >of ' the' St. 'Andrew'siliitcrary Association to speak i

reasons, 'S suppose, and hope — first, because they knot*' the esteem in which I hold u Dr "Waddell, and next because they think l"am in ar position to understand as well as most peot)le» the value of the work Dr Waddell is doing in the community. — (Applause.)" Not that I "sea co very much of Dr Waddell. Our friendship subsists, much to its credit, on a plentiful abundance of not seeing each, other. We arcs both busy men, and we live at opposite ends. of the tiny.'i, so that .our actual intercourse in "the flesh is chiefly confined to- chance meetings in book shops. But though .1 1 do <not know at first hand a"" tenth "part of the g'dbd ■ w s 6rk Dr Waddell is doing, I can 'understand" its value pretty well for all that. There is ah eld Latin proverb, '" Ex pede Herculem," which means -that you can measure a giant by taking the size of his' foot. I believe I Uave taken the size of Hercules's foot with tolc-rable accuracy. I know a great deal more of Dr Waddell's work than I have actually" seen of ifc. His chief business in life, I' sup-^ pose, is to preach, and, though' l do not ]Sit under him, I undcrstand^he does this one day* a week to good purpose. But Dr Waddell ; is a teachar as well as a' preacher. Some. .can. preach who cannot teach, and some.-can teach • who j3annot preach, but you chance > oc-''-"casicnally on< a. man ."".who "can^ do both," and • , such va. • man 'is Dr, * .Waddell. — - (Applause.) It .is more particularly tc the^teacher that I^have .to "address -myself— to" .theTmW wliose task^t-ds'aFwayi to jbe^thrcvwiifg: ", -light' on things; j,o~ stimulate 'thought 'and 'as- ' ■pjrataon, 'and' condiic^ th T ent.-'felong*._'de3irab'le>. - channels, to, interpret "to 'the younger ■ and less the "world- of men; of" BooEs/'and -'tit .' tilings^ ancl'Jn "doing this to ■ give "'• them- the"< surest „ and;-most ' "wholesome ' interpretations:/ 'ihis is -whari. r Dr Waddell' sets Kirn's elf' to , do, and what he does with pre-eminent" success. T> " never find myself amrfng. Dr , Waddell; and hispeople that I do not , admire -, and envy the,, happy way he has of leading his flock, like a good shepherd, -by the still waters" and 1 " pleasant pastures of knowledge. This he does partly by'the attractive power of 'a" singularly ~ gracious and modest personality — (applause), — and-partly by an ever-fresh enthusiasm for all lofty and poetic ways' of thinking— an enthusiasm which would be imt)o3sible to . Dr -CWa.d- . dell unless he were himself a poeir By which I do not mean that he writes t verses. I daresay in his time lie has committed -that form of indiscretion.; Bxvt -it -is not- the cowl that makes" the monk, ,and whether_Dr Waddell doea or does .not count his .syllables, a poet-he. is. as you all know— wifli the poet's freshnesEr~of- -' feeling, and his power of stimulating the poetic sense in others.T— (Applause.) Dr .Waddell's ia a notable influence in this community. It is notable in the religious body to which he" be— longs, it;is all, powerful.. and most beneficent in the narrower church circle of which he forms the "ctntre." ~I "am," however, speaking: - more paTticularlyat present -on 'behalf of large - numbers*- of -.persons — mostly his own" people, but many of them also from other ..ccingrega- , tions" and denominations — whom he -has gath- - efed round him" in" his* "classes, and to whom " he has interpreted into cE' of the best literature, touching" them with the glow, of h.is,own en- . thusiasnv I need not telJLyou, ,the members .' of,,hia literary, class, what'he Has-done for-you. ' ; You< know "it .much, better, than .-I can -tell -,you^ ' . If, yeurjways of, thinking! have- become* "less" [trivial; ydur 'judgments .more "gentle, your.aeiisa;" of I'the1 ' the seriousness ~of 'life- deeper, it^ is "largely" bec'iuse-you-have' come -within, the sphere :of , j influence-' of ~a geod-man-.-whe -linows.;.how-> to '! - fan into— avg*nesous- flame • whatever- kindlingff ~ of' good -he finds -in you. -Dr.-Waddell leßs.tb.an. ; most-meil-nieeds ."a .iestiraonial^tp Certify. tpvßjra. good' work- he is doing .-^('Applause.) -His -!tes- 3.'3 .' timonial is-ihe quickened spiritual and intel«. lectual life ' of" his people, and his reward isJ in their esteem and affection. But it -is : goocE for those who are grateful ~to give their' gr>ti-; ' tude audible and tangible expression — (appla.tse), — and even the most, modest .of men likes occasionally,- every 21 -years ''or so, tb-be> assured point blank that his work ,is not- o\ter^ looked. I daresay by "this time" Dr Wad.dell is tired of hearing himself praised. It is% difficult to praise a modest man* to hisj_face without doing offence to his modesty^but thera are occasions when he must be content, for th&' satisfaction of others, -'to listen." with patience to his own praises. Mr Wilson went -on to' - speak of Dr Waddell's love of-b'ook's; "and" presented him, -on behalf of the -St.- Andrew's Literary Institute, with a purse of - sovereigns, - to be spent m the purchase of-books. " -' At intervals during the evening the Mornington J Orchestral Society discoursed t pleasant music. >Mr W. H. Hose was heard to advant-" age in the solos "The patrol" and "I think of all thou art to me," and Miss -Florence Brewer sang very sweetly "' When the heart ia young" and "Spring -has come."' A verse of the latter item had to be repeated'in response, to the imperative" demand "of "the_ audience. Miss Wilkie made a capable accompanist. - , After Dr Waddell's first address there waa an -interval for social intercourse^ during which refreshments were dispensed by the ladies'., of " ,the - St.-- Andrew's congregation .to','a\l-- pr^esenti an~d the proceedings°concluded by the "assim"blage "joining in /the singing, of -the Doxology,followed by the.pronouncement of "lion by the'Kev. W,r Hewitson. • • - \~

-- The -Bruce Herald- states that a stack of barley sheaves, 2 the property o£ Mr 8,. Moore, wsts destroyed- by- fire on- Sunday Worningv ," When discovered, the-fire was burning in ait ' old straw stable close "to the stack7!;o which "the 'flames soon spread. It is surmised that"" some swaggers had -been sleeping in the stable -and left matches lying about, n The stack was " uninsured, and Mr Moore estimates his loss at about £50. . t