BAPTIST INDUCTION

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 23 (Supplement)

BAPTIST INDUCTION

CHARGES TO NEW MINISTER. REV. A. J. JAMIESON AT HAWERA. The induction of. the Rev. A. J. Jamieson as Baptist pastor at Hawera on Thursday night was an impressive ceremony attended by officers of the church from Wellington, New Plymouth and Wanganui, where Mr. Jamieson’s' home is situated.'.

In welcomir, Mr. Jamieson,- Mr. F. W. Horner, tyuu led the service, said it gave the people pleasure to see so many present from sister churches in. other districts and from other Hawera churches. Mr. Jamieson was not unknown at Hawerl as he had occupied the pulpit for three, Sundays two or three months ago while on vacation from the , New Zealand Baptist College at Auckland. When the Hawera pastorate became vacant the church decided unanimously to issue a call to him, requesting the college committee to set him aside for work in South Taranaki. Mr. Jamison came with high recommendations.

Mr. Jamieson had the earnest spirit of evangelism. St. Paul had said, “Let no man despise ; this yputh.” Youth was d time of intense earnestness in Christian things and energy was needed in the kingdom of God to-day. “We tend to soak ourselves in doctrine,” said Mr. Horner, “but the need is' for men of energy and action. This is the age of youth and spiritual vision. Mr. Jamieson comes full of high ideals to do his part to help solve the problems of the world to-day.” • ’ At Hawera Mr. Jamieson would have the help of a good Sunday School superintendent and staff, and an enthusiastic Bible class organisation and an active junior endeavour organisation. Mr. Horner hoped the new pastor would find true co-operation and a spirit of loyalty in his congregation.' • . ' ' , . Delivering the induction charge, the

Rev. S. Jenkin, New. Plymouth, said. ' the occasion was one of the most solemn and also one of the most gladdening ; mo-- ’ ments in the life of the new pastor. There were for him . two clear guides—to know God and tokee; close to Him, ~ ? - to 'understand men and never to be far from them. He stressed th- need not for faultless sermons but for., contact with and understanding of human needs. ' “Be a man of the people,” said' Mr. Jen-. . . kin, “and teach them that there is contingency of human life that God does not provide ,for/’ •. In his charge to the congregation Mr.Jenkin said the help of a .minister’s .. people went to the making,of themin--ister, Mr. Jamieson would be what his church made him. That was all the . charge could give them. * > ; Mr. Horner delivered to Mr. Jamieson’s ; ; , keeping the churches .volumes of Scrip-. ~y ture and Mr. Jamieson replied. .He was v actuated to enter the service, of the church, he said, not only by his own, inclination but also by the divine spirit;-; ’ J. He had been in South Taranaki long enough to know that the people of _ ' Hawera i had large hearts and were, zealous in their love of . Christ. .There, were ' good officers and therefore he entered the. • charge with confidence.- ' > '/This is an age of inquiry,” continued Mr. Jamieson, “when men question all’ ’ things. One cannot stand in the pulpit and say a man has been converted to God without someone suggesting, that psychology will provide an explanation. The explanation is that one’s whole life - • . must be changed; but to-day the preacher must be vital. In this time of distress people and nations are, wanting not plans but power, not machines but men. ’. Men must be changed if our problems are to be solved and God’s control is ; our primary need; \ ' “I want this church to be one of brotherhood. I will be the special friend , of everyone, but the. particular friend of • none.” ” ' \ Prayers were offered by the- Rev., H. Curran, Hawera, and. the Rev.* N. Garlick, • Wanganui. Mrs. B. Metson sang a solo, accompanied by Mr. G. McConnell, and Mrs. P.’Brett played accompaniments for the hymns/ . . ’ : Mr. Horner read messages from the . . Rev. J. J. North, principal of the Bap- j tist College, Auckland, where - MrJamieson recently completed his train- . ing and the Rev. John Ings, Napier, former pastor at Hawera. » At a subsequent social the ReV; B-, * Metson welcomed Mr. Jamieson on behalf of the Hawera Ministers’ Associa- : tion, and Mr. E. Nees, Wellington, for- ; mer president of the central auxiliary, extended good .wishes.’ : ' ’’ . P