VALEDICTORY

Southland Times, Issue 18756, 17 December 1919, Page 6

VALEDICTORY

, » SOCIAL TO REV. H. W. BURREDGE. I A very pleasant function-took place in St. Paul’s Sunday School Hall on Monday evening. The occasion was that of saying good-bye to the Rev. H. W. and Mrs Burridge, before they leave for Wellington. The attendance was excellent, and the tone of the meeting was in harmony with the event. The Rev. Janies Baird occupied the chair. The proceedings opened with praise and prayer. The chairman referred to Mr Burridge as a man of scholarly attainments, intellectual resource, unusual gifts as a preacher, and great energy and capacity for work. He travelled no old beaten path; and his sermons were modem and had the colour and garb of present day life; while the devotional clement in the service impressed one, as being high, varied and suitable to the subject. The hearers did not feel that they were led along a monotonous road when their eyes fell upon the same objects, and their cars heard the same sounds. Whatever the text, topic, doctrine or passage dealt with the preacher showed spiritual insight and handled the subject in a scholarly fashion, while, at the same time, there was always individuality in his pulpit deliverances, and his personality was distinctly felt. While regretting their departure, the congregation assures Mr and Mrs Burridge of their best wishes for their success and happiness iu their new field of labour, and pray that the Divine blessing, may be with them. Messrs J. Gilkison and Barnett, representing the Men’s League of St. Paul's, bore testimony to the value of the League and the useful place it is filling. They were pleased and thankful to recall the important part Mr Burridge took in giving i; form and efficiency. Mr John McCurdy spoke in a similar strain, pointing out that the Sunday School should fill a more important place than it does. He referred in cordial terms to the encouragement he received from Mr Burridge, regretted saying goodbye, but offered his good wishes. The Rev. G. Clement spoke on behalf of the Ministers’ Association, testifying to the brotherly spirit Mr Burridge showed, the share he took in the affairs of the Association, and noted his readiness to act in concert with the members of other churches. In the name of the Association Mr Clement conveyed to Mr and Mrs Burridge its sentiments of goodwill and prayers for their future. The Rev. John Collie, Moderator of the Presbytery, referred in eulogistic terms to the good work Mr Burridge had accomplished, to the share he had taken both in the public business of the church, and as a citizen, in the life of the community. Mr J. S. Baxter presented Mrßurridge with a gold watch, on behalf of the congregation as' a token of their esteem and affection, and, in doing so, became reminiscent and recalled the occurrence of incidents, episodes, and pleasant memories. Mrs G. Cruickshank in happy terms presented Mrs Burridge with a handsome silver kettle in cordial recognition of her work in the Bible Class, Sunday School, P.W.M.U., and in the social work of the congregation, and also as a reminder of pleasant associations in past years. Mr Burridge in reply took a rapid survey of his ministry in St. Paul’s and noted the points of interest. Me emphasised the loyalty of the congregation during his absence while serving under the colours. He felt grateful to them for extended leave of absence, for many acts of kindness and consideration which he had experienced at their hands. He thanked them for their valuable gift, and said it would recall pleasant memories. Mrs Burridge'in acknowledging the present, said it would call to mind some of the happiest years of her life. It was a gift she would greatly prize because of the kind feelings which it represented and the agreeacb associations she had had with the ladies iu the work of the congregation; It would be an enduring memory. Mesdames Copland and Barnett were cordially thanked for their solos which added much to the enjoyment of. the evening. Supper was served, and the meeting closed with a hymn and the benediction. Mr and Mrs Burridge left for Queenstown yesterday where they will spend a short holiday before proceeding to Wellington.