PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3989, 10 December 1937, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

EARLY DAYS IN OTOROHANGA. The following is a copy of a letter, dated 4th September, 1937, received by the Rev. S. W. Webber, of Otorohanga, from Dr W. D. Bathgate, and it is published on account of its general interest: "You will be surprised at getting a letter from the first minister of Otorohanga. It was in 1908 that I went up to Otorohanga as a home mission student. I was at the Otago University then and did a summer there under the Rev. Wallis of T—. I have forgotten the name of his town, but it was about 20 miles north of Otorohanga. I stayed at the Railway Hotel, took services at Te Kuiti as well, rode across; a very bad road in those days. I also had a service at Honikiwi, and stayed with a family of Buddens there.

As I write I’m in the Bay of Biscay, getting into Southampton to-morrow. The "Outlook” of 9th August, 1937 is on the saloon table before me, and I am reading foi the third time a paragraph entitled, “Otorohanga P.W.M.U.'’ In my cabin is a rug presented to me by your folks when I left, so thank your t'oiks again for the rug, which has lasted me 29 years and is still going strong. I would have given a lot to have been at the P.W.M.U. meeting to see the birthday cake. Mrs Slatter, also Mrs Harty, and Mrs Stevenson Craig and Miss Miller —all new names to me, but saints no doubt and staunch P.W.M.U. members.

1 was three months at home at Outram and spoke at several P.W.M.U. meetings, Gore, St. Andrews, Dunedin, and Dunedin combined branches. It was an inspiration to me to see and meet so many keen folks. 1 go to Edinburgh for a month, then back to Nazareth, Palestine, where I am doctor in charge of the Edinburgh medical mission hospital. Greetings to you all and blessings continue to be upon your work.” The .Presbyterian Church in Otorohanga is proud to know that one who lias had such a distinguished career overseas as Dr Bathgate was associated with tlie church in its pioneering days.

Mrs Rattray, of Honikiwi, a daughter of Mr Budden, remembers Dr Bathgate staying at her father’s farm at Honikiwi. The doctor’s greetings are warmly reciprocated.