TRANSLATION OF DR GIBB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 1 July 1903, Page 16

TRANSLATION OF DR GIBB.

congregation wish to express, however inadequately, the feelings of deep pain and sorrow with which they contemplate their beloved pastor's probable departure. They would fain have persuaded him to remain in LJunedin, to. which, as well as to the congregation of First Church, he has rendered so many notable services, but they would not persist in opposing what he may deem to be his duty. They lejoice, however, that Dr Gibb will not be lost to the Church of Christ in New Zealand, and, in the event of his going, would congratulate St. John's Church, Wellington, on having secured his valuable services. They commend Dr Gibb and his wife and family to the Divine protection, and should they have to bid him farewell, shall heartily wish him Godspeed in his future work for the extension of Christ's kingdom among men. In fpeaking to the motion, Mr Adams said that it was impossible for him to express the pain he fait at tho position in which they found themselves. Since he had become connected with the church he had had many duties to perform, but he liad never had to face a task with the sadness lie felt in proposing this motion. It was a well-known fact that the community of Duuedin very sincerely r-egretted Dr Gibb's probable departure from, the city. What they, the members of First Church, felt it wr.a easier to imagine than describe. But it seemed as if it were imposnb'o to retain their esteemed minister. Dr Gibb had given his ofliee-he-arers to understand that h-o felt as if it was his duly to accept tho Wellington call. Tho office-bearers would fain have persuaded him to remain, but. in the far© of tho statement that he had mad<\ they, with thp greatc-st possible rogrot, had felt that it would not be their duty to bar his way. Recently, when tho degree of Doctor of Divinity had been conferred on their minister, they had had an opportunity of giving expression to the esteem and admiration in which they held him, but it was needful that they should do so again. They were standing at an epoch-making moment in the history of the congregation, and they seized it to say what they fe-lfc about Dr Gibb, and to give what expression they could to bheir sense of k«s and pain at the probable removal of ono who liad endeared himself to e\ery ono of them. Ho would like to refer to Dr Gibb's pastoral work. It had been charaoterieed by a rare sympathy and tenderness. If it were possible, the sick would miss him even more than those who were well. But how they would all miss him! His pulpit work liad been a constant source of stimulus and comfort to the congregation, and they had had very frequent occasion to admire the manner in which Dr Gibb proclaimed tho whole counsel of God, fearing no man's frown and seeking no man' 6 favour. It was hard, exceedingly hard, to give him up, but Dr Gibb had seemed to 9©c the finger of God in this matter, and they dared not oppose him. Who could fill his place in the congregation or the community ho did not know. The loss was an all-round one ; but if it had to be, they muat bow with submission to the will of God. One thing had weighed much with him. Mr<i Gibb had paid to him lately that the change to Wellington might perhaps tomewluU lessen the strain on her

husband ..no , serve to prolong his clays. Rightly or wrong'y, he felt that they must yield to Dr Gibb and let him go. Mr E. Cameron seconded tho motion. He desired to express their oommoa appreciation of Dr Gibb's preaching. He had been with them for over 17 yea.r3, and his preaching was fresher and moro impressive and stimulating- than it liad been when he came to them. That was a great thing to say, for they know how often in the strain of a lengthened ministry preachers tendod to become monotonous. There was no monotony about Dr Gibb, who had, notwithstanding hLs multifarious duties, ever been a student, and found time for most careful preparation. They could not face the severing of the pastoral tie without deep regret. If Dr Gibb had countenanced it, there would have been a strong agitation to insist on his remaining in Dunedin; but when the matter was first mpntioned several weeks ago it had been pointed out to them that the time was not ripe for discussion of the question, inasmuch as the call was only talked of, and not then actually in existence. And when the call did come Dr Gibb had indicated that it was his feeding that he \u-i being constrained to faoe tho thought, though it was very painful, of leaving Dunedin. He (Dr Gibb) fe't the claims of Wellington upon him, and so his office-bearers, though with very great re-luc-ranoe, had felt that they could not Tightly oppose him.

Mr A. Struthers spoke in the same strain. What they thought of Dr Gibb was known to all. What was thought of him in tho community and far beyond it had been mrnifested recently flhen congratulations showered in on him from all quarters over the doctorship given to him by his university. He enjoyed, and greatly deserved to enjoy, tho respeot and admiration of the congregation and the, whole community. They would have fain kept him among them, but ho liad intimated that it was his feeling that he ought to accept the oall, and it did not seem right that they should oppo=© him.

The motion was thon put to tho meeting and -carried unanimously.

The following c ommissioners were appointed to represent the congregation at the presbytery to-day : —Messrs J. Armstrong, K. Cameron, D. Barron, A. Strufchers, J. Diok, D. G. Ford, J. Wallace, T. Scott, P. Dicfo, J. L. Salmond, R. Crawford., and W. H. Adams. It was resolved to ask the presbytery to appoint the Rev. W. Hewitson moderator of the vacancy in the event of Dr Gibb accepting tho call, eund, failing him, the Rev. Di Watt. The Chairman then intimated that he would give an opportunity to any of those present to speak who might desiro to do ■■so. Mr J. Dick desired to express the great benefit ~h& had received from Dr Gibb'a ministry and his contact with the minister in a great variety of ways. He had been indebted again and again to Dr Gibb for wise counsel *n things spiritual and things material. Of his preaching it might truly bo said that it was not only a spiritual tooio but an intellectual treat*

Mr J. Wallace said that he had grown up under Dr Gibb's ministry, and it was simply impossible for him to say what that ministry had been to him, and tho help, strangth, and encouragement it had continually given him. He did not know what they were going to do without tho minister who had been so much to them all.

Mr D. G. Ford said he xmbemplated tho situation with downright dismay. The spiritual work of the congregation had s>o prospered under Di Gibb's ministry that it was impossible to think of his being withdrawal from it without deep distress At the December communion last yeai over 50 communicants had boon added to the membership, and more than half of them had been brought to the point of decision for the Kingdom of God directly through the work of the minister. Ho felt utterly dietessed at tho thought of losing him.

Mr D. Barron thought they had paid too much attention to Dr Gibb's estimate of tho claims of Wellington.' Tho claims of Dunedin were as great as those- of Wellington, and. he did not see what trrey were going to do without Dr Gibb. v

The Moderator (Mr Dutton) said that some members of the congregation had blamed him and other ministers for advising Dr Gibb to accept this call. He wished to take that opportunity of making their position plain. Dr Gibb's ministerial brethren contemplated his removal from Dunedin with tho deepest regret. For himself, lie did not kmow what he was going to do without tho man who*© friendship had been a 6ource of such gladness to him for 16 long years. If anything should occur that would seem to Dr Gibb a sufficient reason for refusing this call he would rejoice with a great joy. But he felt, as did all tho ministers, tho paramount claims of Wellington on such a man as Dr Gibb. Ho was needed there, and there was this, too, to be thought of: that Dr Gibb would be tho better of some relaxation of the strain which was upcen ham. It was a constant perplexity to understand how lie got through tho immense quantity of work of all sorts ho undertook, and as his very sincere friend ho thought that it was wieo that he should accept a position in which it would be possible for him to avail himself ti the Aores of material ho had iccumulatod. But ho did not know how his place wa3 to be filled. He had been so much to the congregation and tho Church amd tho community that ho (tho speaker) did not, could not, conceive how they were going to replace him. God, who knew all things, and had promised to make all work together for good to His people, would bo with them ; but he confessed that the future to him in Dunedin without Dr Gibb eeemed altogether blank. The meeting was brought to a oloee by tha Mod**ator pronouncing tho benediction.