REV. DR CAMERON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3624, 28 August 1923, Page 58

REV. DR CAMERON.

VALEDICTORY LUNCHEON. The committee members of tho Presbyterian Social Service Association tendered luncheon cn Wednesday at Jay’s tea rooms to their convener, Rev. Dr Oameron, who is leaving to-morrow on an eight or nine months’ holiday tour of Japan and China. About 18 persons enjoyed a delightful luncheon, Mr T. Somerville (who will act as convener during Dr Cameron’s absence) presiding. The Rev. G. H. Jupp (moderator) and J. Kilpatrick (clerk) represented the Dunedin Presbytery, and the Rev. W. maunders the Congregational Churches of this city. The Chairman, in addressing Dr Cameron, said that they all felt that it was a very great pleasure to do honour to their friend and convener. About 17 years ago Dr Cameron had lit the first lamp, and the Presbyterian Church in Dunedin had commenced its work for orphans in premises in George street, which are now the Southampton Building. Another house was secured in Clyde street, and a few years later the Grant’s Braes (now the Nisbet) Home had been opened. The Glendining Home for Boys, Anderson’s Bay, was subsequently opened, and the most recent work of the Presbyterian Social Service Association was the Ross Home for the Aged, Aorth-East Valley. They would lose Dr Cameron for a few months, continued the speaker, but he would still be with them. He would come back renewed in health and wouid do more work than ever. The success of the association was largely due to the labours of Dr Cameron. He had carried out many of the association’s schemes to a successful issue. Di Cameron had done a very great deal of ' work, particularly during the past 12 months. He (Mr Somerville) had often wondered what would nave become of the Social Service Association *f it had not been for Dr Cameron. They should be grateful (concluded the speaker) Biat they had had the great work and faithful services of the doctor in the association and in the Church.—(Applause.) Mr W. H. Adams said that Mr Somerville’s remarks had recalled many memories, and he thought of thj time when, as a young and impulsive man he had greatly admired Dr Cameron for his caution, ihe Presbyterian Church had reason to be proud of Dr Cameron, and, as the Outlook had said: “No man deserves a holiday more than Dr Cameron. Dr Cameron had morn memorials in this fair city than anyone else in Dunedin.” They appreciated his work very much. Their guest was a man of vision, who had dreamed dreams, but, more than that, he took off his coat and got to work. That was the type of man thev wanted. Through God Dr Cameron had received the strength for his work. When they thought of all the children who had passed through the association’s homes, some of whom now held responsible positions, they were indeed thankful. They had admired the strenuous work he had done during the past year, which was a credit to the doctor, and which had brought the association back to its former position. Mr Adams hoped that Dr Cameron would enjoy every minute of his holiday. He also paid a tribute to Mrs Cameron, for, after all, he said, it was the wife who made the husband, and to her was due the honour paid to him. On behalf of the committee of the Presbyterian Social Service Association, Mr Adams presented Dr Cameron with a leather dressing case, which will be suitably inscribed

The Rev G. 11. Jupp, in paying his tribute to the doctor’s worth, on behalf of the Rev.' Mr Kilpatrick and the members of the Presbytery, said that one of the good things their guest had done was to show a way in which men could invest their money profitably. He had shown them how to out it in an avenue of service which would not return interest at once, but which would amply repay them in the future. Not everyone had been so fortunate as Dr Cameron in having the opportunity of showing men such a profitable investment. He had also been fortunate in having around him men who had given him every support. As moderator of the Presbytery (continued Mr Jupp) he rejoiced that Dr Cameron had the opportunity of going to China and Japan, and he hoped that he, Mrs Cameron, and Miss Cameron would have a very pleasant time. The Rev. W. Saunders said that he was very glad to have the opportunity to honour Dr Cameron, who was held in great esteem, not only by adherents of the Presbyterian Church, but also by those of the Congregational churches. It had been said that Dr Cameron deserved a holiday, and that was quite so. He and Mrs Cameron and their daughter were going to see their daughter in Hongkong, and a son in Tokio, and he (Mr Saunders) hoped that they would find their loved ones happy and in good health. Dr Cameron, in reply, said that hi s first thought was that of thanks for the Kind expressions and good wishes. He would like to make it quite clear that the organisation and growth of' the Presbyterian Social Service Association was not of his efforts in the way which had been indicated. The first house was occupied by Sister Mary and Sister Evelyn, and they were anxious for the welfare of children. For some years Professor Hewitson and himself had considered the possibility of taking up work for the children. He was not sur e whether the sisters had taken up the work independently or whether they had received monetary assistance. Following the efforts of the late Rev. J. Chisholm, the late Mr Henderson had left a bequest of £SOO for this work at the same time as Sisters Evelyn and Mary were moving in that direction. The credit of the origin of this work did not belong to any one individual, but depended entirely upon the labours of the committee. He desired to acknowledge the tribute paid to Mrs Cameron. Ho thought that the members of very few families had helped the head of the house as his had helped him in all the phases of his work. He had been greatly assisted by his sons and daughters, and they had urged him on at times when his own spirits flagged. Continuing, Dr Cameron expressed the hope that the Presbyterian Social Service Association would go on increasing its activities. His feeling was that the Church should not fail to do any work which it Could possibly carry out. He hoped that that would be the aim of the association in the days to come, not to undertake fancy schemes, but to do work which was really needed. —(Applause.) The Rev. W. Trotter then offered up prayer, which, brought the function to • close *■'