KNOX CONGREGATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3442, 2 March 1920, Page 6

KNOX CONGREGATION

VALEDICTORY TO PROFESSOR R. E. DAYIES. The body of Ruins Hall was crowded by the congregation of Knox Church and representatives of sisteqr churches on the 24th, when the Rev. Professor R. Evan Davies w)as . made the recipient oif some very tangible tokens of the esteem in which he has been held ever since he took charge of K.R.vx Church, in succession to the Rev. i'rofeasor Hewitson, in 1909. Professor Davies, having joined the professorial staff of Knox College, has had to sever his official connection with his congregation. The choir, under the direction of Mr.W. P. Gale, was there in force, and, with several eolo and choral numbers, helped to • vary the proceedings during the evening, which, of necessity, was largely occupied with *speechmaking. The proceedings commenced with the united singing of the doxology. The Rev. J. Miller (interim Moderator) presided, and associated with him on the platform were tho Revs. R. E. Davies, Graham Balfour, J. 0. Jamieson, members of tho session, and other office-bearers ol Knox Church.

The Rev. j. 0. Jamieson (Moderator _ of Duncdin Presbytery) said that; it was difficult to say how high was their esteem for .Mr and Mrs Davies personally, or tho value of Mrs Davies's contribution to the success . of her husband's ministry.—(Applause.) No one in the ministry was more highly esteemed than Mr Davies. The Bpeake.r had had an. opportunity of seeing how good that estimate was in many difficult and trying situations, and ho haA found that Mr Davies always carried himself through like an ideal Christian gentleman. In his 10 years' ministry £40,000 had been raised for the kingdom of God, legacies to tho amount of £BOOO had been left for the work of the church, and 1200

people had joined its membership. His ministry had been marked by great diligence, and for that reason he pitied his successor somewhat, for his people would continue to expect the attention which Mr Davies had bestowed upon them. They were glad that Mr Davies was not making a long move; they were assured that he would do great work for the Church in his new capacity as professor of New Testament literature at the college, and they all wished him joy in his great work in the future. —(Apnlause.) The next speaker was the Rev. Professor Macintyve, who expressed his pleasure in being allowed the opportunity of making a few remarks. He referred to the fact that Mrs Davies came from New South Wales, where her family held a very honoured place. They themselves had already testified to" the warmth of their affection for their departing minister. The speaker had preached at the induction of Mr Davies to his first charge in that country—at Stanmore. He was sure that Professor Davies would discharge his duties towards his students in a manner worthy of the colleg*. On behalf of his old church in Australia he conveyed their delight and pride in his election, and would follow him with interest in the great work which lay before him.

Mr G. L. Denniston s aid that they were there with a double purpose arid with mingled feelings to congratulate their guest on his promotion and to say good-bye to him • an their minister. It was curious that both their late minister and his predecessor bad forsaken the office of preaching for that of teaching. The pulpit service of Mr Davies had been eminently satisfactory. As they all knew, he was a Welshman, and possessed the fervour of that people, and it was when inspired with that fervour that he was at his best. - Of his work as a pastor there had been no criticism at all, and all were aware how his sympathetic qualities had been used in tho

comforting of the sick and the distressed. Soma. *SO families of the congregation had .had a member who had made the supreme sacrifice during the war, and they all, including the speaker, had been very grate ful for his sympathetic ministrations during that time. Mr Denniston then handed several gifts, subscribed by the church for Mr and Mrs Davies and their two children. Those to Mr Davies took the form of a cheque and an illuminated address embodying the minute adopted by the Church Session on February 9, which read as follows: "The session desires'to place on record its appreciation of the services rendered to Knox Church during the 10 years of his pastorate by the Rev. R. Evan Davies. During the whole period of service Mr Davies had carried out the very arduous duties appertaining to the position with every satisfaction to the session, ancl, it believes, to the' entire satisfaction of the congregation. Mv Davies's pulpit services have been very effective, and have consistently upheld the highest traditions of the Presbyterian Church. In his_ pastoral work Mr Davies has endeared himself to all members ancl -adherents of_ the Church, his very sympathetic and kindly nature eminently fitting him for his influential position. Mr Davies has always taken a keen interest in the young people, and his presence in the Sunday school and Bible classes has been a source of strength and encouragement to both teachers and scholars. The session conveys to Mr Davies its warmest congratulations on his appointment to the chair of New Testament Language and Literature and Church History, to which he has been called by the Ceneral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, and its best wishes for the successful carrying out of the important work which ho will now require to undertake in connection therewith. The session also trusts that he may be long spared to carry out the duties of his high office."

The address, a particularly fine piece of work, is in book form, bound in morocco, and, in addition to a strikingly effectivo display of the foregoing letterpress, contains a picture of Knox Church in colours. The audience rose and sang "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows," with unmistakable heartiness. Mr D. • Todd, as representing the Sunday School and Bible Classes, eulogised the work of Mr Davies in those departments of the church. He had eot into personal touch with a great number of their boys and girls, and by them he would never be forgotten. The speaker also acknowledged the ministrations of Mr and Mrs Davies in their visits to the bereaved parents of their boys who had fallen, and also during the great influenza epidemic.—(Applause.) , The Rev. Graham Balfour said that the meeting that night took him back nine years, when he was given a very kindly welcome on his first arrival in their city, and he was glad to say that their relations had been of the most friendly kind ever since. He hoped that their guest would bo greatly used for the advance of the Church and the Kingdom of God.—(Applause.) Mr Davies, who was obviously greatly moved, thanked them from his heart for the kindly way in which sueh a large number of them had gathered to meet him that night. Continuing, he said it " was 60 years since Knox congregation was established, and he was their third minister. He had laboured among them for over 10 years, half of which were spent under war conditions. It was safe to say that the latter half proved to be a greater strain than any other period of twice its duration. The general impression left on his mind was that they were a friendly people; sympathetic and considerate. He did not remember ever receiving anything but the warmest of welcomes in homes. He knew that some of them thought he should have

visited oftener. A little imagination and even less arithmetic would show how impossible that was for him or anyone. His relations with his officebearers ' had been cordial. There had not been the suggestion of a breeze. Knox Church would be found to be _ engraved on Mr Pryde's heart. No minister ever had a "more loyal session cleric. Mr Park had brought all his organising ability to bear on the work of the charge, and never spared himself. Mr Hislop had always proved himself a most careful and painstaking and efficient treasurer. _ His. work was known only to those privileged to see it. "Two • men who had rendered him invaluable assistance, and particularly in the work amongst the youth of the church, were Mr David Todd and Mr Islip._ The choir has held together wonderfully in spit© of the war. Mr Gale was a hard worker, and puts a good deal of energy as well as thought into his work. The work of the congregation had been said to be impossible for any one man. He would not say that, but he did sav it was very difficult, and, under modern conditions,, no man should Remain too long in the pastorate. Their minister could not delegate his responsibilities. The heavy pastoral work in the course of time sapped a man's strength. Taking them individually they were very considerate, but the corporate demands that were made wore almost despotic. Knox pulpit was a great opportunity. He desired to say how much he had valued the privilege of being their minister. To him it was no promotion to be called to the chair of theology. Knox congregation had a great past and a present worthy of its past, and he had every confidence in its future. He was looking forward to his new work with the keenest anticipation.—(Loud applause.) The rest of the evening was then devoted to and social intercourse, and a pleasant time was spent.