NEW METHODIST MINISTER

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 38, 19 April 1930, Page 5

NEW METHODIST MINISTER

REV. SKUSE INDUCTED AT STRATFORD. A SOCIAL GATHERING. At the Methodist Church on Thursday evening the Rev. T. Skuas was inducted to the charge of the Methodist circuit hy the Rev. C. Eaton, chairman of the circuit. The Rev. E. S. Emett, Hawera, delivered the address' to the new minister. His remarks are reported in alnother column. CONSECRATED SERVICE.

In the address to the congregation the Rev.. Eaton spoke on consecrated service. Nothing, he said, should be. allowed to come between us and our ambition to build the temple of God. God would accept the service of the least gifted, and show that the glory of religion depended not on human genius, but on supernatural power. No one man could build the temple, though congregations still looked to one man to bring success. David, with all his kingly gifts a*nd influence realised that he must have the help of others in building the temple. If a consecrated minister bad the help of a consecrated congregation, success would be certain. It was pos- - sible for church work to succeed at j the present day—conditions were not such that it could not succeed. With consecrated service there would not only successful work but ennobled work. If a person copsecrated bis service to the building of God’s temple, then his slightest effort to that end lieoame dn no bled. Consecrated service was joyful service, and it eu-l nobled the servant —those who devoted themselves to Christian service woidd grow great in that service. The Rev. Skuse appealed for the congregation’s help. The minister, he said, must have the help of the congregation, although, at the same time he must do his duty, and be prepared to go the extra mile. Many children attended the Methodist Sunday schools, but bo bad beard it said that of every live only ono remained in the church. During bis stay in Stratford he would make it his business to bring the other four into the church.

SOCIAL GATHERING. A social gathering was then held in th.o hall, Mr. J. Masters presiding. The Revs. G. T. Beale and J. McGregor and Ensign Armstrong (Salvation Army) apologised for absence.

fill weeloming Mr. and Mrs. S’knse and family, Mr. Masters expressed the hope that their stay would he long—the church had had too many changes recently. The Mayor (Mr. P. Thomson) ex. tended a welcome on behalf of citizens. The chief need in a minister, he thought, wa's organising ability. If the congregation did not agree with their minister they should argue the matter out with him. dairying a grudge was not satisfactory . especially to the person carrying- the grudge.

The Rev. C. Raton thought leadership the chief requisite of a minister. Ho had known Mr. Skuse previously, and could vouch that he "as a good leader. Dr. Steven spoke on behalf of the Presbyterian congregation. He hoped Mr. Skuse would work in a friendly manner with the Presbyterian Minister and congregation, as had been the practice in the past in Stratford. Ho felt that the local Ministers’ Association was not able to carry the weight it should, owing to the congregations not being behind them. The Presbyterians did not regard the minister’s wife as an unpaid curate, and his personal view was that the minister’s wife should let her work be looking after the minister himself and not looking after his work for him. Mr. R. Wickham said he had taken up lay preaching at the request of the first Methodist minister in Stratford, twenty-eight years ago. He thought Mr. Skuse might devote some of his time to strengthening the ranks of the lay preachers. In the course of a short reply the Rev. Skuse gave a. word of praise to the choir for its singing and mentioned that he came from the singing laud—Wales.

During tlio evening, the choir gaV© two anthems, Mrs. Case laud Mr. Hook gave vocal solos aind Mr. and Mrs. Hook sa.ug a duet. AceoinpaniAt the close df proceedings supper was handed round.

meuts wore played by Miss .B, Masters.