SEVENTY YEARS OF PROGRESS

Southland Times, Issue 22859, 7 April 1936, Page 3

SEVENTY YEARS OF PROGRESS

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT WALLACETOWN SPECIAL SERVICES The seventy years of progress of the Wallacetown Presbyterian Church was celebrated at three appropriate services in the church on Sunday. The Rev. W. W. French, of St. Peter’s Church, Christchurch, a former minister at Wallacetown, was the special preacher for the day. There were Jarge congregations at all services, and many visitors were present. The Rev. L. G. B. Whitehead, the minister of the parish, assisted in conducting the morning service, at the conclusion of which the Sacrament 'of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed. At the morning service, the choir sang the anthem “Break Forth Into Joy,” and in the evening the anthem was “He Shall Be Great.” A solo by Miss M. Cockburn, “O Love Divine,” was also sung at the evening service. Mr French prefaced his remarks at the morning service at Wallacetown by expressing gratitude for - the kindness of the congregation in asking him to conduct the special services. He also expressed his appreciation of the St. Peter’s Session in making it possible for him to attend and take part in the function. The text taken was from Thessalonians I, verse 18: “In everything give thanks.” A description was given of a journey up one of the famous glens of Scotland. At the summit of a pass a stone on which was engraved the words, “Here rest and give thanks,” was found. At such a point the traveller rested and gazed down the valley, and beheld the beauties of the way. At this time they looked back, Mr French said, through the years and gave thanks for all the way God had led them.

Mr French read an extract of a minute in reference to the resignation of the Rev. A. Stevens, after 16 years of faithful service. He said that the Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, still clerk of the Assembly at the ripe age of 86, the Rev. W. White, a scholar and a Christian gentleman, were followed by the Revs. J. T. Burrows, Adam Begg and J. S. Ponder, and later by the Rev. N. McKenzie, and the present minister, Mr Whitehead. It was truly a noble succession.

The subject at an afternoon service at Ryal Bush was “The Back Look, the Upward Look and the Forward Look,” Mr French tracing the early endeavours of the pioneers of the Church. In the evening, the preacher gave a stirring address at Wallacetown on Jesus Christ as the centre of permanence.