FAREWELL MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7270, 16 September 1891, Page 4

FAREWELL MEETING.

THE REV C. DALLASTON.

A meeting, for the purpose of bidding farewell to the Key Charles Dallaston, who, for the past fourteen years and a half, has held the position of minister to the Oxford terrace Baptist Church, was held in the church at 7.30 p.m. yesterday. The meeting was preceded by a tea, provided by the ladies of the congregation, to which about seven hundred people eat down. About one thousand people attended the meeting. Mr S. E. Ingold referred at Borne length to the general regret which they all felt at the prospect of loßing'their old pastor, who could but be proud of the noble gathering assembled there to give him a farewell. He read apologies from the Revs W. Morley, S. Macfarlane, £. Richards, B. H. Ginger, John Orchard and Hugh Irwin, who regretted their inability to attend. Amongst the speakers during the evening were the Revs H. C. M. Watson, W. Baumber, D. Dolamore, John Hoatson, A. Dewdney and Dr Elmslie, all speaking in terina of the warmest affection for the Rev Mr Dallaeton, and regretting that to his ill-health the fact of his departure from Christchurch was largely due,

The following address was presented by Mr A. Chidgey, Secretary of the Church, with an accompanying purse of sovereigns : — " To the Bey Charles Dallaston.— Dear Pastor, — We, the members and adherents of the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, together with the Sabbath School and kindred institutions attached thereto, feel that we cannot allow you to terminate your ministry amongst us without expressing our deep regret that your strength is not sufficient to permit you to cope with the ever-increasing work of a large and growing church, such as, by the goodness of God, we have now become under your pastorate ; and request your acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns as a small token of our affectionate regard for you, and of our appreciation of the many blessings which have been graciously vouchsafed to us during your nearly fifteen years' ministry. We would also acknowledge our. gratitude to Mrs Dallaston for all the hearty assistance she has rendered in the various works of the church, and for the many unostentatious kindnesses by which she has won our hearts. We earnestly pray that God's richest blessings may ever rest upon you and your wife and family ; and that in your new sphere of labour your work for our one Lord may always be accompanied by the beneficent blessing of the Holy Spirit, so that the gospel you are privileged to preach may continuously prove to be the power of God unto salvation. — E. Beard&ley, A. Chidgey, H. Eaton, S. £. Ingold, A. Mander, T. Newall, H. Olney, T. E. Toneycliffe (Deacons), Mra IS. Martin (Hon Sec Dorcas Society), 0. Chidgey and Thomas Chivera (Sunday School Superintendents), H. Corrick (leader of choir), J. Clarke and H. Eaton (Vice-Presidents Young People's Mutual Improvement Society), A. F. Carey (leader Young Christiana' Band), J. W. Bastion (leader Band of Hope), Miss E. Barlow (Secretary Zenana Working Class).

Another presentation from the Young Christiana' Band took the form of a frame of photographs, capitally taken by Messrs Dutch and Bull, grouped around that of the Rev C. Dallaston and the church. There are in all forty-four members of the Band, besides the recipient's likeness and the church, and the grouping has been neatly done, various floral designs intertwining between them. The inscription is as follows :— " Oxford Terrace Baptist Church. Young Christians' Band. Presented to the pastor and leader, Bey C. Dallaston, as a small token of their esteem and Christian love upon the occasion of his departure for a new sphere of labour. Christchurch, Sept. 15."

Mr T. E. Fraser, on behalf of the lady members of the congregation, presented Mr Dallaston, for his wife, with a handpome gold natch and chain and brooch. Mr George Perry, on behalf of the Young People's Mutual Improvement Association, presented Mr Dallaston with a handsome Bible, as a mark of their esteem; while Yee Jim, on behalf of a Chinese class of ten members, attached to the church, gavo their pastor a tea service. The Bey O. Dallaston spoke at some length, bidding a touching farewell to his congregation, and thanking them for the valuable gifts they had presented to himself and |his wife. The Bpeaker took occasion during the evening to thank the visiting ministers of all denominations present there that evening. During the evening the choir, under Mr H. Corrick, performed some very enjoyable music.