OPUNAKE NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1930, Page 13

OPUNAKE NEWS

REV. C. M. ROBERTS INDUCTED. ‘ Tho induction of the Rev. Ci M; Rob-' erts as minister of the Opunake circuit tok place in the Methodist Church on Tuesday evening. The Rev. C. Eaton (chairman of the Wanganui-Taranaki. Methodist district) presided and read the church doctrinal decrees, to which Mr; Roberts subscribed. 'The candidate was presented by the circuit stewards (Messrs. T. P. Hughson, junr., and J.' Cox). Mr. Roberts thanked the chairman and the members of the church for the welcome extended to him. On behalf of Mrs. Roberts and himself he said he hoped his ministrations in the circuit

would .be fruitful and pleasant. They would do their best. , The Rev. P. J. Cossum gave the address. He said he did not intend to address the candidate on the duties he had undertaken as he was conscious of them, but would direct his remarks to the difficulties that he would encounter. The speaker explained the changes that had come over the ideals within the ministry of the church. In the old days a • minister h^d.am pie time to visit the parishioners; to-day he was the business man of the church —something akin to a chairman of directors. Therowas also a change outside church circles. There was a time when the clergy would contend in hot controversy with the antagonists of the church. To-day, there was silent indifference by opponents of tho church—an indifference that assumed the attitude that the church was not | worth bothering about. Then there was

the spread of science, but he did not know why this could bo considered antagonistic. The ideas, of tho world were materialistic, but he had found that they had always been materialistic. He exhorted Mr. Roberts “to stand on the ramparts and with God’s help win souls for His Kingdom.”

Tho chairman addressed his remarks to the parishioners, taking the example of David, who set out to build a church for the worship of Jehovah. David met many difficulties but 1 he' accomplished his work. David organised the work by the aid of his followers. It was the co-operation of. those who • "consecrated themselves to the work of building a church to Jehovah.” Many circuits, ho said, were’ asking for a good ailround minister, a preacher, and a business man. They were still waiting for such a personality.

After the induction service the senior circuit steward, Mr. A. J. Pettigrew, : . was chairman of the social part of the - ' programme. On behalf of the officers of the church he thanked the for their inspiring addresses and welcomed the new minister, his wife and. his family. . 1 Mr, J. S. Tosland, on behalf of the Presbyterian Church, said he hoped Mr. . Roberts’ ministry in this district would be spiritually successful. Several items were given by the choir and a recitation by Miss Jean Hughson. Mrs. T. P,- Hughson played the organ. ~.

Regret was expressed .at, the meeting of tho continued illness of the Rev. J. G. Wheatlcy ;i an<|-the .phairman expressed the hope , for. .ins',gayly, recovery. Mr. Wheatley is novi being treated in the New Plymouth hospital.