MEMORIAL SERVICE AT EDENDALE

Southland Times, Issue 24003, 19 December 1939, Page 13

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT EDENDALE

A well-attended service in memory of Mr Donald Macdonald and Mr Horace Edwards Niven was held at S. Hilda’s Church, Edendale. The Rev. L. D. C. Groves was assisted by Mr C. E. Davey as lay reader. The preacher said that a memorial service was not an occasion for a biographical sketch, nor the occasion for prolonging the period of mourning, but an opportunity to join in thanksgiving to God for the life and work of the departed as well as of commending them in prayer to the mercy of God. Donald Macdonald and Horace Niven had much in common. Both had their origin in, Scotland, the same ship brought them to New Zealand, and they had business interests in common in this place. After a long association in this life they entered into rest within a few days of each other. These men were human, consequently they were subject to human failings, human temptations and human sins. Those who have given of their substance, energies and talents towards the building up of the Church in this place may be regarded as “workers together with God.” The existence of S. Hilda’a Church and its continuing were under God, largely due to the interest of Donald Macdonald and Horace Niven, the former by his generosity and the latter by his administrative work as church officer, lay reader and synodsman.