FAREWELL SOCIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3032, 6 March 1901, Page 4

FAREWELL SOCIAL.

St Mary’s Schoolroom has seldom been so crowded as it was last evening, when the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian Church held a social for the purpose of saying farewell to their pastor, the Rev. W. Gillies. There was a large representation of other congregations, and on the platform were Mr A. Blair, (the. oldest elder of the church, the Yen. Archdeacon Harper, the Rev. Messrs Dickson, Mackie, Morrison, Woodward, Burgess and Todd, the elders and deacons of Trinity Church, and the guest of the evening, the Rev. W. Gillies. The choir, under Mr A. B. White, contributed several anthems very well, and Miss Campbell and Mr Galder rendered solos. A plentiful supply of refreshments was provided, and much appreciated. Mr Blair, in his opening remarks, said that when Mr Gillies was attending the meeting of Assembly at Wanganui the church officers held a meeting, and this social was the outcome of’ that meeting. It was 26 years since Mr Gillies had come amongst them in the prime of manhood. During the 26 years of;his work

among them he had gone -through many trials, but always rose above them. The congregation had done their best to try and keep him hero. They might have beenable to keep him a few years longer had not the Elders’ Association at Wellington selected him for the important ■work of collecting fof the- century fund. The association looked out-for the best man in the Northern Church, and this man was Mr Gillies. (Applause.) So . far Mr Gillies had put in a very successful twelve months, anp it was the wish of all that his success would continue, and that he would be long spared to work in the sphere to which he was going. (Applause.) The Rev. Mr Morrison, Moderator of the Timaru Presbytery, said that there were feelings of the deepest melancholy that night in the minds of many at this gathering, and he spoke with feelings of

very deep regret indeed. He felt that it was not a mere formality, but that they were parting with a very trusted friend and worthy counsellor; one who was in every sense of the word a man. Mrs Gillies must also be remembered, particularly by members of the Presbytery who had often experienced her kindness and hospitality. That the faithful work of Mr Gillies was appreciated the large gathering was an eloquent token. Mr Gillies had taken a fearless stand on questions of social reform, and even his opponents respected his honesty of aim and fairness of attack, never hitting below the belt. He was a leader in the Assembly, and a man that would be a leader in any profession that he took up. He was a power for righteousness, not only in his congregation and in Timaru, but throughout the whole country his name was known and respected for his thorough manliness of character. (Applause.)

The -chairman then called on Mr J. McNab to make a presentation to Mr Gillies.

Mr McNab' said that ho had been se-

lected by the office-bearers to express the congregation’s appreciation of Mr Gillies’ past work and their best wishes for his future success in life. It was a somewhat delicate position he (the speaker) occupied, as it was always necessary not to detract from the guest o£ the evening, and therefore one had to be guarded in praising and publishing the good qualities, and it would not be the wish of their guest that he should indulge in false laudation of his work and many merits as a man. He was expressing the feelings of the congregation and his own feelings when he said that a man like Mr Gillies must have made a mark of some kind or another on the people he had ministered to, and he took it that this gathering testified more than words could, that the mark had been one making for good on tbe whole congregation. And to many of the congregation Mr Gillies must always live in their memories as a central figure in occasions of both joy and sorrow. These were the feelings uppermost in their minds, and they would try to convey them to Mr Gillies when he was going from their midst. It was an occasion for which few words would suffice, and he was sure that the words spoken from the heart would be re-echoed from the whole of the congregation to Mr Gillies as a minister and a main of merit among the people. Mr McNab then presented Mr Gillies with a purse of sovereigns, with the hope that he would long be spared to carry on his work. Mr McNab then said that the ladies* of the congregation had not been inactive, and had resolved that Mrs Gillies should also receive some recognition of the great assistance rendered to Mr Gillies. He read a short address from Mrs Taylor, as the oldest member of Trinity Church congregation, who had been deputed by the ladies of the congregation to make the presentation, which took the form of a gold watch and chain.

Mr J. Lane, on behalf of the choir, in presenting a framed photograph of the choir, said that their present was not one of great intrinsic value, but as the choir sat closest to Mr Gillies in the church, and a photo of the whole congregation could not be conveniently taken, it would be a small reminder. Mr Gillies could fill in the rest of the faces of the congregation in his imagination. Mr Gillies would no doubt have highly treasured a photo of the whole congregation, but it was thought that it would be well for him to have at least something to take with him in the nature of a photographic memento. He had much pleasure in presenting the photo together with that- of their esteemed conductor, Mr A. B. White.

Mr Gillies, in his reply, said that he could not just say that this was the proudest moment of his life; indeed it was the sort of occasion that humbled one, when he hears so many good things said about him. He could scarcely realise that they were said about'the William Gillies that he knew. (Laughter.) However, he felt more comfortable in relation to the good things said about Mrs Gillies, because she deserved them all. Another thing had been a great help to him was the very great support he had received from his office-bearers. The chairman, Mr Blair, was with him from the first, and he was only one of the many who had been a real strength and support to him. They had never worried him, but always backed him up, strengthened him, and comforted him. A man who had two or three men of that stamp can do a great deal in his work and position. He had 30 men here, fifteen elders and fifteen deacons, and he did not know another congregation that had such a body of men as those holding office in his chuich. The congregation also owed much to its Sunday School teachers. There were fifty of them regularly at work, and he asked them to work with them, and invited many others to take part in the work. The photo of the choir t e would prize very highly. The choir had always been re.ady to do their part, and he must heartily thank them. He could only thank the congregation most heartily for their expressions of appreciation for any services he had been able to render in his position as minister. He hoped that his successor would be able to do a great deal more for them than he had been able to do. In some respects his successor would do better than him, and he hoped they would tell him. Put he also hoped that they would not find fault. He hoped to hear of their future success, and that God would bless them and their families. (Loud applause.) Mr Gillies was much affected, and was listened to with the utmost respect and interest.

After the supper adjournment the Ven. Archdeacon Harper was'called on by the chairman for a few words. The Archdeacon said that he had been associated with Mr Gillies ever since he (the speaker) came to Timaru. When he first came here he found Mr Gillies at work, and the present gathering was proof of the success of his work. He had always been on terns of sincere friendship with Mr Gillies, and had been associated with him on the High School Board and in many other ways. He regretted very much that Air Gillies was leaving Timaru, but he gave his heartiest good wishes for his future welfare and success, and, the Archdeacon added, he was pleased to see St. Mary’s Schoolroom crowded by such a farewell gathering. Short addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs Burgess, Woodward, and Dickson, each gentleman testifying to the universal respect and esteem which Mr Gillies had ertrned during his ministry in Timaru. The proceedings which were most harmonious throughout closed about 10.30 with the Benediction.