FAREWELL SOCIAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2472, 4 March 1893, Page 4

FAREWELL SOCIAL.

There was a very large attendance at the ■ Primitive Methodist Church, Geraldine on | Thursday evening in response to an invitation farewell social given to the Rev. j W. Woollass by his several friends at Geraldine, in prospect of his early departure to Invercargill, his future sphere of work. A substantial spread of good things was supplied by the ladies, and after this had been disposed of, a pleasant social aftermeeting was held, Mr Dalton (Hilton) taking the chair. Mr Dalton said he was delighted to see such a large attendance, and he was certain all had come with the express purpose of showing their goodwill towards their minister. He had now labored with them for about twelve months, and yet it seemed like yesterday since ho came amongst {hern. He felt certain that the past year’s work had been one of success in Geraldine (hear, hear,) and he noticed that the spiritual standard of the church never appeared so high as at the present time. He was not there to enter into details as to how or why their minister was shifted, but he was certain that had it been put to the congregation Mr Woollass would remain at Geraldine. It seemed to him that two or three ruled in Primitive Methodist Church allairs, and he thought it should he left to the congregation to decide whether a minister should or should not remain. (Applause). However, they could not always have their own way, and if the ministers were removed the congregation would only have to hope that the work would go on as before. Their minister was a man who dared to speak the truth in the pulpit, and went there to do his duty. He was also a stanch supporter of the temperance cause, and in view of the coming elections Geraldine was losing a good man and an earnest worker. In conclusion he said that a congregation very often expected too much from a minister, and if they saw any slight haw in him some tried their best to pick holes in him. This was not right, as a minister, after all, was only flesh and blood. Mr Woollass, however, had the goodwill of a large number of Geraldine people, and wherever he went a good work would be done. He was one of the best preachers they had, and, being a young man, a great work was still before him. Solo —Miss Andrews. Recitation—Miss Bowkett.

Mr Coppin was the next speaker, and said ho had had some fellowship with Mr Woollass and could testify that ho was a Christian. He then gave an earnest address on the incident of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, and closed by showing the right biblical course to take in matters of Church discipline.

Solo—Miss Maggie Morrison

Recitation —Mrs Logan,

Mr E. Logan said he was both pleased and sorry to be present—pleased that so many had turned out to farewell their minister, and sorry that there was a farewell, for he could have done with Mr Woollass at least for another 12 mouths. They had always good preaching from Mr Woollass, but it could not be expected that he would please everyoue. He quite agreed with Mr Dalton that under the present system one or two men could send a minister away against the wishes of the whole congregation. The con-

gregation supported the minister and should have a voice, and he honed the time would speedily come when the rules of the Primitive Methodist connection would be looked into and amended. He was heartily sorry they were losing Mr Woollass, and ho hoped they would all do their best to help his successor, so that the spiritual standing of the Church would be maintained. (Applause.)

Song -Mr Calder. Mr Colin McKenzie was the next to speak, and expressed his appreciation of Mr Woollass and his sympathy with the congregation at his transference to Invercargill. From the first time he heard him he noticed the good qualities and gifts of Mr Woollass as a preacher of the Gospel. Mr Woollass was in downright earnest in everything he did, whether in pastoral work, preaching, or as a temperance advocate. The desire of his heart was that God would help Mr Woollass wherever he was located, and that he would give as much satisfaction there as he gave in Geraldine. (Applause). Solo—Mr E. Logau.

Mr R. Hammond was pleased at the large attendance, and was surprised and glad to see that Mr Woollass was going to leave so many friends iu Geraldine, even though he did get the “sack’ 5 at the end of his twelve months. Mr Hammond was convinced that if a vote had been taken in the congregation Mr Woollass would have been kept by a great majority. (Hear, hear.)

Solo—Mias Andrews. The Rev. W. Woollass, who was received with applause, said that if he had not been a modest man he might have been carried away with all the kind words said about him that night. He was sorry to have to part with friends, for although he had made enemies in Geraldine lie could count the greater number of people as his friends. (Applause). Hef erring to the constitution of the Primitive Methodist Church, he said the sysU.mi was the right one if it was carried out right in this Colony. It had always worked well in the Old Country, and if properly carried out wogjd boar a better record here. The rev. gentleman then delivered a parting counsel to his fiiends, and said that although ho had transgressed in the eyes of some he had the goolwjli-of many. (Applause). He asked them to do their duty. He came to Geraldine 1 o do his duty, and lie had endeavoured to do s-*, .but it may bo he had not sueeeedod j 'as ' hs had wished. The ideal standard nf. which he aimed, had not bee i reach?*, I,'fit ho had done his best. His parting cohus.4 >vas “ Let us play the man.” He feared not any man in any position, and in the pulpit fie was there to speak the whole truth, and if he ' ] u 'd offended anyone it was not his fauP, for the Hulk Wo'.uld not hurt anyone that was doing >«“ S lild he had done something for cause, and considered that a P° his duty if he did not denouii ofJ IhO m*?*} , of the liquor traffic. It was impossible for any man to bo perfect, and ho acknowledged his weaknesses, and hoped that God would remove them. He was glad to know that a large majority of the congregation were in favour of his remaining amongst them, but at the same time it might be just as well that lie was going elsewhere. He did not stand up in the pulpit to please men, and ho reckoned the minister that would toady to officialism was a disgrace to his calling. The minister should have the courage of his convictions. He had made the statement that there were fossilized men in his congregation, and for this statement ho was questioned at the quarterly meeting, but lie meant what he had said, and would say it again. The rev. gentleman then spoke on the responsibility of ministerial work, and said he needed the sympathy and prayers of the Church. The minister should be free from the care of all financial matters, and Inuo only the spiritual welfare of Jus Chm'ch

to consider. In conclusion he asked the j sympathy and support of his congregation -j for his successor, Mr Woodward. Air J. M. Sutherland, on behalf of the congregation, then presented Mr Woollas with a handsome album with the following inscription .-—“Presented to the Rev W. Woollas on the eve of his departure from Geraldine as a token of esteem from his many friends.” The Rev Air Woollas feelingly responded, thanking his friends for the gift, after which the doxology was sung, and the proceedigs closed.