“A FINE EXAMPLE”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21363, 5 June 1939, Page 11

“A FINE EXAMPLE”

Loyalty to Church

Tribute to Late Mr W. H. Walton, Senr. A high tribute to the personal character and lifetime of service given to Chalmers Church by the late Mr W. H. Walton, senr., was paid by the Rev. M. W. Wilson in addressing a large congregation at the morning service yesterday. Mr Walton was one of' the foundation members of the church and for 35 years had acted, as an office-bearer in various capacities.

“On Wednesday evening, William Henry Walton, the senior elder of this Church was called home,” said Mr Wilson. “This morning we remember, with gratitude to God, the example of his sterling character and his long record of service to his Master in this congregation and town. “Mr Walton was one of those actively concerned with the foundation of Chalmers Church. He was among the first deacons elected in September, 1902, and two years later was ordained to the eldership, which means that for nearly 35 years he shared in the guidance of the life of this congregation. His passing severs one of the few remaining links with the beginnings of Chalmers. “But his service was distinguished by its quality as much as by its length,” continued Mr Wilson. No man ever excelled Mr Walton in his enthusiasm and concern for his Church. His life centred arfiund Chalmers. He was a fine example in the regularity of his attendance at public worship and at Church meetings. His support was given to every effort which aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the Church’s witness, and successive ministers profited by his wise advice and sympathetic friendliness. During recent months increasing infirmity prevented him from taking an active part in the Church’s life and kept him away from the Sanctuary he loved, and in which his presence was such a familiar sight, but he never lost his interest nor ceased to do what he could. “I, personally, acknowledge gratefully the value of long talks I had with him which helped greatly in the difficult first months of a new ministry. “Nor was Mr Walton’s interest confined to Chalmers. He kept in touch with the wider life of the Church in our land and beyond the seas. At one time he must have known practically every minister in the New Zealand Presbyterian Church, and he represented his congregation in Presbytery and General Assembly. “Now he has gone from our sight and the place which knew him so well shall see him no more. But he has not gone from our fellowship. It is fitting that this morning, when we salute his passing, should be the morning of our Communion Sunday, for we are thus reminded vividly that he, who often assisted to distribute the sacred elements at the Lord’s Table, is now among the unseen cloud of witnesses and with us form the one communion of saints. We should, therefore, while we feel the loss caused by his going and share the soitow of those who feel it most, be also thankful to God for his long life of service, and rejoice that for him the weariness and weakness of the past months are over, for he has entered into fuller, wider life and has heard his Master say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’ “Let us now in our prayers,” the preacher concluded, “commend her, who has for so long shared his life, and all the members of his family, to the God of all comfort, and let us offer thanksgiving to God for a life which has, and will be, an inspiration to us who are left to carry on the work he loved.”