HELD OVER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20896, 27 November 1937, Page 19

HELD OVER

RESIGNATION OF REV. E. L. WILLIAMS

SPECIAL MEETING OF PRESBYTERY

Expressing his intention of returning to the United States of America, the Rev. E. Llywelyn Williams presented his resignation from the ministry of Chalmers Church to a special meeting of the Timaru Presbytery The moderator, the Rev. James Baird, presided. The meeting was adjourned to allow Mr Williams to further consider the matter.

It was with regret that he asked to be relieved of the pastorate, wrote Mr Williams, as no minister had been happier amongst his people, and no church more consistently loyal. He had declared his intention some time ago. but was asked by the session to reconsider his decision, and he had spent some time in trying to see it he could acquiesce In what they assured him was their unanimous desire as well as that of the whole church. But after a long and prayerful consideration of all the factors involved he had decided to adhere to his original decision. He would be going away with very happy memories of the last few years he had spent amongst a kindly folk. Mr Williams expressed his appreciation of the good fellowship which he had enjoyed amongst his brother ministers of the Presbytery, and the always ready welcome given him in its churches. Minute From Congregation A commission from Chalmers, comprising Messrs C. S. Hind, W. Gibb, W. S. Young and J. Wightman, presented the following minute on behalf of the congregation: "That this meeting of the congregation of Chalmers sorrowfully acquiesce in the decision of our minister to sever his connection with us, having purposed to leave our shores. The session,, unwilling that the congregation should lose Mr Williams, has during the last few weeks continued to urge him to remain, but he finally felt that he could not yield to their persistent and repeated entreaties. “It is with a very great sense of loss that we contemplate the departure out of our midst of Mr and Mrs Williams.

“Mr Williams during the four years he has been with us has exercised a ministry of a very high standard. He has been Indefatigable in his pastoral care of a large and scattered membership, being especially solicitous for the careless and Indifferent. Many will never forget the succour he ministered In their times of sickness and sorrow. He required a high standard of loyalty in regard to the public worship of Almighty God and the Sunday services indicated that many had returned to their duty in this regard. On the other hand he had an exacting ideal of the ministrations of the pulpit to which he attained unfailingly. He had to a rare degree the gift of handling the great and profound themes of the Word with simplicity. His sermons were calculated to interest, to grip, to teach, to inspire and to persuade.

“The people of Chalmers can only regard themselves as fortunate in having him for their minister for these brief four years. Very cordial and friendly have been our Individual relations with him. Unconventional, tolerant, frank, courageous in the expression of his opinions, and possessed of a bantering humour, it was pleasant and profitable to meet and have conversed with him. “Outside the congregation and in the community at large he was well known and popular. He had strong convictions about civic welfare, both material and moral and was forward to give his support to any cause that was for the good of the town. He had close links with organisations such as Rotary where he will be missed. For some years he has been chairman of the Children’s Home Committee and to both staff and children he has been a considerate friend. “Mrs Williams with her charming personality, her characteristic vivacity, and kindness of heart, has endeared herself'to all. She put energy into all she undertook and particularly the members o' the Women’s Guild will miss her enthusiastic co-operation. “Finally we would emphasise again that most unwillingly do we part with Mr and Mrs Williams. We pray that God’s blessing may be with them as they leave New Zealand and remain with them and that in His Holy Providence they may find a new sphere wherein to consecrate their excellent gifts to the service of His everlasting Kingdom.” Commission’s Representations “We greatly regret that Mr Williams intends to leave us,” said Mr Hind. Although Chalmers did not want to place any obstacles in his way one and all would be very pleased if his services could be retained. Speaking as treasurer of Chalmers Mr Darroch mentioned as a tribute to Mr Williams that there had been no financial worry during the last four years. Collections had been more thah well maintained and the church debt had been reduced. Everything that could reasonably be expected had been done by the session and office-bearers to retain Mr Williams’s services as they realised that a ministry of four years was too short for a man of' his outstanding ability and attractive personality. They would miss also the refreshing personality of Mrs Williams. “If the Presbytery can do any more to induce Mr Williams to remain, no one will rejoice more than the people of Chalmers,” said Mr Darroch. The loss would be felt not only by Chalmers but also by the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Mr Williams had been In the balance for some time, said Mr Gibb, and if the Presbytery could do anything to retain him Chalmers would be delighted. The remarks of his fellow-commis-sioners were endorsed by Mr Wightman.

“Must the Presbytery acquiesce in the resignation?” asked Mr Darroch. The Moderator replied that It was possible not to acquiesce, but when a man indicated his own mind the Presbytery did not like to stand in his way.

In view of the representations of the commission, the Moderator and clerk (Rev. W. F. Michol) were appointed to wait on Mr Williams to

ascertain his mind in the matter. Mr Williams who had not attended owing to ill-health,' returned with the deputation and after he had addressed the Presbytery, it was decided, in view of the commission’s reprsentations, that consideration of the resignation be postponed till Tuesday to allow Mr Williams time to review the matter.