CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2922, 7 August 1882, Page 2

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The Bev. B. T. Hallowes, the much esteemed pastor of this Church, preached his valedictory sermon last night, prior to hie immediate departure for England. As was expected, the building was completely filled, many persons of other denominations, attending to listen to the last counsels of one, whose unassuming demeanor, earnest purpose, and blameless life, have won for him universal regard in this town. Mr Hallowes’ departure will be regretted on all, sides, for while he has been going in and out amongst us he has made no enemies and has won the respect and esteem of people, of all shades of belief who recognise and value pure living and singleness of purpose. The newly appointed pastor of the congregation, who succeeds Mr Hallowes (the Bev. Mr Sharp) conducted the service most impressively, Mr Hallowes preaching. The reverend gentleman chose as the subject of bis discourse ,the 24tb and 25th verses of the Epistle of Jude. “ Courage,’* said the preacher) “is one of the most useful virtues, and is the surest antidote to sin. A courageous belief in God’s word and trust in his power, would preserve from sin, and he did not know that there was any exhortation in the Holy Scriptures that he would desire to commend to his congregation when leaving them, more than that contained in the verses which formed bis text. He described the manner in which God preserved men from falling into evil, and said that his eye was ever open, and his hand ever ready, to keep those who , trusted in Him. He urged everyone to submit to God’s guidance and not to trust in his own strength. He exhorted them to observe how God loved man in spite of man’s defects of aharacter, unlike man himself, who too often criticised the blemishes without observing the virtues of his neighbor. He then traced the Christian life to its close, and showed how, in such lives, the first step in heaven®was the last step on earth, so gradually did the believer pass out of this life to the next. He. believed good work had been done in this church ; this was shown In ‘ the Christian lives and work that had been began, and he believed Q;od would continue to watch over and keep those who had thus begun a Christian career. In concluding, he earnestly exhorted those present to commend one another to the providence of God, which alone could keep them on earth and present them before His throne with joy. The discourse was most earnestly delivered, and listened to with the utmost attention. A very considerable number of persons remained to partake of the Holy Communion for the last time, with their departing pastor.

In the afternoon the teachers: and scholars of the Congregational Church presented Mrs Hallowes with a very handsome silver salver and a fruit knife, as a slight acknowledgment of her zeal and kindness in connection with the school. The presentation was made by Miss Medina Hitch,who said :“I am glad to have the pleasure, on behalf of the Scholars of the School,to ask you kindly to accept this small token of our esteem. During the years of your connection with this School, we have been impressed with your faithful, earnest, and intelligent devotion to our best interests, and we earnestly wish you a pleasant voyage Home, and that you may be blessed with health and strength for many years successfully to continue your work in feeding the lambs of the Master’s flock.”

The Eev. Mr Hallowes replied in the most feeling terms, on behalf of the recipient, whp was equally surprised and delighted at receiving so elegant a token of the love and esteem of the young people and their teachers. The salver, ryhioh is the work of Messrs Bower and Fergusson, of this town, bears a suitable inscription, surrounded by wild fusohias, ferns, and cabbage-trees, suitable reminders of Now Zealand scenery. We understand Mr and Mrs Hallowes will leave for Homo on Wednesday next. There will be a valedictory soiree to-morrow evening.