FAREWELL SOCIAL.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12508, 8 April 1909, Page 2

FAREWELL SOCIAL.

TO THE REV\ C. H. GARLAND. The Wesleyan Schoolroom was last night crowded to its utmost capacity. Mr A. A. Lucas ('church steward) presided.^ After the audience had joined in singing "All People that on Earth do Dwell," and. prayer had been offered" by the Rev. Mr Peryman, the chairman briefly and ■ feelingly ad- : dressed the gathering. He reviewed Mr Garland's able work during the past three years, and said all regretted that the time had come to say good-bye.- Efforts had been, made,' although unsuccessfully, to , retain Mr Garland's valued services to this circuit. , The time had come for him to pass on- to a larger sphere of labour in Christchurch. They were there to. bid him and , "God speed." As. a. preacher he was in the. very Tront rank, "and ■■'as a man lie was ; always -kindly,' ■ considerate, and unselfish. - Some fifteen years ago the Nelson chvirch had made efforts to get Mr Garland, but it was only three short years ago that they had been successful. They would have liked to havo kept him^for five years at least.- but his work' was waiting for him in a larger field, and they had to let him go. Mr Boon (senior church steward up to last . December, having held that position for some 23 years) also spoke in eulogistic- terms of Mr Garland. They had no cause - to worry about circuit finance as in the olden days, when they, had to "go around with the hat." Mr Garland's sermons hakl been uplifting; and a great .source of moral and educational help. . Mr "Win-. Haddow (on behalf .of the Church Trustees) ; the Rev. J. Crump bit behalf of 'the . local preachers ; MiMark Smith, representing the Sunday School, tho Band of Hope, the Christian Endeavour, the Bible classes, and tho Hockey Club, also bore testimony to their pastor's genuine worth; Mr WeEley. on behalf of the congregation, spoke of Mr Garland as a teacher and: friend, as well as a preacher. The rev. gentleman's sermons were an education and an inspiration, and came from a man who. always "played the game." The Revs. J. H .MacKenzie (Presbyterian) and B.SL. Thomas (Congregational) spoke of 'his work in the Ministers' Association, in helping the religious teaching in - the State schools,,, and as a neighbour, friend, and faithful' helper: ' ■ '; : Mrs Crump, in a humorous speech conveyed parting greetings on behalf of the Ladios' Guild, and Mr A. T. Maghmity, representing "that larger arena outside the church," spoke of their; departing guest as a townsman, a citizen, and reformer, and a man whom it was always an unqualified pleasure to meet, although on some points they might not always see eye to eye. " •-■ ;i -■ Tho chairman presented Mr Garland with a travelling case, and Mrs Garland with silver fish knives and forks. '„,-• The Rev. Mr Peryman, on behalf of the Richmond circuit, where Mr Garland's services had been very highly appreciated, presented him with an umbrella. ■....■ I ■During the ovonirig a resolution was read, from the Good Templars' Lodce, warmly recognising Mr Garland's services and influence in tho cause of Temperance. '. Mr Garland made a deeply touching reply. He thanked, them all for their kind words and kind presents. His -work (in his estimation) had not been the success in Nelson that he had hoped it would be when he .came amongst thorn, but He would carry away; most kindly remembrances of honest, faithful friends and helpers in Nelson. . . The following musical programme was interspersed with the speeches, etc. :— Songs, Miss Richards and Mrs Mackay; duet, Mrs and Mrs Tasker; violin solo, "Miss Flett; choruses by choir, ■■ and male .members of choir ; banjo solo, Mr Parker; duet, Mrs Mackay and Mr A., P. _Luqas, Miss Flett violin accompaniment. The room was . tastefully decorated, and at the close, an abundant supply of refreshments were handed round.