PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23026, 21 October 1936, Page 8

PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHLAND

CALL TO THE REV. A. G. GARDINER WINTON RESOLUTION (Contributed.) A meeting of the Presbytery of Southland was held in First Church yesterday, the Moderator, the Rev. T. A. Speer, presiding. A call to the Rev. A. G. Gardiner (Winton) was received from the St. James’s congregation, Wellington. The call was supported by the Rev. C. J. Tocker and Mr W. A. McCaw on behalf of the Wellington Presbytery. Mr Tocker spoke of the position of St. James’s Church in the city of Wellington and of the central position it held in the residential area. A great work had been done by previous ministers in that sphere, he said, and a big opportunity existed for a man of Mr Gardiner's energy and ability. The congregation was very anxious to secure Mr Gardiner’s services. I Mr McCaw mentioned that St. James’s charge was the third Presbyterian charge founded in Wellington 84 ! years ago. It was a strong and vigorous charge and needed a strong and ablebodied man to uphold the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the banner of the Presbyterian Church in the city of Wellington. These facts had decided the St. James’s congregation in selecting Mr Gardiner. There was plenty of scope for Mr Gardiner to exercise the abilities he undoubtedly possessed. The Rev. J. McGregor read the following resolution passed by the Winton congregation: “While we contemplate with keen sorrow and regret the thought of losing so able a minister and so staunch a friend as our beloved pastor, we appreciate our great responsibility and his in lightly setting aside the claim of St. James’s, Wellington, upon a man of Mr Gardiner’s outstanding gifts. It was inevitable that sooner or later another congregation would look in his direction and Wellington would undoubtedly prove an attractive sphere of labour and one which would offer greater scope for his undoubted talents and enable him to use those gifts for the benefit of the Church in general. We feel it would be selfish to alone consider our own feelings and therefore hesitate in placing any obstacles in the way of our minister enlarging his sphere of influence for the good of God’s Kingdom. Appreciation of Services.

“During his five years’ ministry in the Winton parish, Mr Gardiner has carried out the duties of the ministry with energy and thoroughness and with an ever-increasing acceptance from year to year. His pulpit work has been of a uniformly high order, if not sensational yet sane and convincing and eminently helpful. In his pastoral work he never spared himself, and to-day there is a hopeful and buoyant tone and expedient spirit in the life and work of the church with increasing attendances at the regular Sunday services. We believe his work is by no means complete in this parish. We desire to again record our unstinted appreciation of our highly esteemed minister under whose 'guidance the work has made steady progress and whose enthusiasm and devotion to his work has been a source of strength and encouragement to many and an inspiration to his officebearers, with whom his relations have always been most cordial and harmonious We have good cause to thank God for his work and much as we would regret his departure, we feel we must leave the ultimate decision in his hands and pray that he may be guided aright in the great decision he will be called upon to make.” Messrs H. S. Woodnorth (Winton) and A. R. Forbes (Lochiel) supported the resolution. Both mentioned the good relations existing in the different parts of the parish, the steady increase in church attendance and the general all round improvement. Mrs Gardiner also was given credit for the assistance she had given to the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union and other organizations.

Mr Gardiner was asked if he accepted the call. He stated that the call meant very little financial increase; it meant rather an increase of work, greater responsibilities and less home life. These facts helped him to believe that it was a distinct call from God for greater service. He thought it was therefore his duty to accept the call. Mr Wedderspoon then led in prayer after which Mr Tocker moved that the call be placed in Mr Gardiner’s hands. The Rev. E. Gardiner seconded the motion. Several members spoke in support of the motion. Admiration was expressed for Mr Gardiner’s enthusiasm, organizing ability and knowledge of detail. His sound judgment, statesmanship, brotherliness and kindliness were other virtues which had endeared Mr Gardiner to them all, it was stated. The motion was carried and the call placed in Mr Gardiner’s hands. Mr Gardiner formally accepted it and thanked all for the very generous and kindly expressions made by members.

Interim Moderator.

The Rev. J. McGregor was appointed interim, moderator of the Winton parish. A minute of appreciation of Mr Gardiner’s services was read by the clerk and recorded in the minutes.

A report on the triennial visitation of the Nightcaps-Ohai parish was submitted by the Rev. W. J. Robertson as follows: “The Southland Presbytery, having heard the report of the triennial visitation commission to the NightcapsOhai parish, has much pleasure in congratulating the minister on the manner in which he is carrying out the work of extending the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in his first charge, which is by no means an easy task. There are difficulties in this busy coal-mining centre which are not found in any other parish in Southland. There is here a combination of town and country activity and big calls are made on the minister’s time. The office-bearers are sincerely commended by the Presbytery for the live interest they all take in the work of the church. A Sunday school hall or social hall is badly needed, both in Ohai and Nightcaps, for work among the young people in these two busy centres, and the Presbytery would recommend setting aside a part of the legacies received as the nucleus of a building fund for this purpose. The Presbytery is pleased to note that 16 members are giving themselves loyally to Sunday school work and commends them, and the Bible Class leaders for their labours among the young people. We note with pleasure that at Ohai the Presbyterian and Methodist Bible classes work together. The Presbytery would recommend'the beginning of some temperance work among the young both at Nightcaps and Ohai. In conclusion, the Presbytery prays that God’s richest blessing may rest upon both minister and people.”

The Advisory Board’s report was submitted by Mr McCaw, who was thanked for his clear and helpful explanation of affairs. An application for a quinquennial grant for manse repairs was recommended for the Centre Bush manse. The need of supporting the church’s secondary schools was stressed by the clerk and Mr Tocker. It was stated that the district would shortly be visited by the Rev. H. A. Mitchell and members of the Church Board of Education.