ST PAUL’S CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17349, 14 May 1924, Page 11

ST PAUL’S CHURCH.

REV J. PATERSON’S j DEPARTURE. THE WANGANUI CALL. j The Rev \V. H. Howes, clerk to the j Christchurch 1-reelij-ter.v, announced i to the JT-eshvterv to-day that the clerk j of the Wanganui fresuytery had tele- | graphed, stating that a call to the I htr J. Paterson to tot Paul’s, \N anga- j nui, had been unanimously sustained. 1 lie stipend "ouid l»e £t>oo a year, with a manse. The church had a membership of 396. It was the central thurrn of a very beautiful city. Jt wp.s well suited to Mr Paterson, because he was a preacher, a lecturer, and a platform sjieafier. There was some kind of .justice in St Paul’s, j Christchurch, giving a minister to St ; Paul's. iNanganui, as years ago tot j Paul’s. \\ auganui, had given to St Paul’s. Christchurch, another prominent minister, the late Dr Elmslie. Mr Paterson, at ‘Wanganui, would be the seventh of a fine historical succession. Mr D. C. Burnett, for the session, Mr G. Callender, . for the Committee of Management, and Mr T. Reese, for the congregation of St Paul’s, waited on the presbvtery in connection witn the call. Mr Burnett said that Mr Paterson felt that ten years in one church' was as much as one minister could stand. It was the second call Mr Paterson had received from Wanganui. The session would part from him with .very great regret. He had made enduring friends hero. >lr Callender said that much progress had been made by St Paul’s during Mr Paterson’s ministry, largely on account of.his help. With all his labour ho had kept up his pulpit work to a j high standard. lie nau been a leader ' in city work. Mr Reese said that Mr Paterson had given helpful and dignified addresses min day alter Sunday. He hud taken a deep interest in every phase of the churcn’s work. Mr Paterson said that he had turned down previous calls ii'om different parts of New Zealand. Ha finally had agreed to consider the second call from M anganui. Ho felt that it was not often that a long ministry was effective. and that changes were necessary. In the present dase he had decided- tha a change would he wise. He had not been veil for six years, which made his work at St Paul's very trying, u heavy strain being placed on him. The district was a scattered one. He had to be a minister to many people who did npt belong to any church. It was a work which few people knew anything about, but which called for an enormous expenditure of time, energy and sympathy. A great deal of bis time was taken up noth marrying. People came from all round the country to be married at St PauPs a and often three or four afternoons each week were taken up with marriage ceremonies. His relations with, the young people associated with St Paul’s had been particularly happy. In tho circumstances, he feft that he should accept the Wanganui .call. Mr Howes moved tiiat the call was expedient, and that it should be placed m Air Paterson’s hands. The Rev J. B. Bickerstaff seconded the motion.

The Rev X. L. D. Webster said that the presbytery would feel the loss of Air Paterson. Til© Rev W. Gray Dixon said that he sympathised with Christchurch and congratulated Wanganui. Wanganui fi™ » population of about 24.000. and tot I aul s, !\ anganui, was one of the beautiful churches in New Zea-

The Rev F. Rule said that Mr Paterson had been very helpful to him and R’ l *® and members of his family. Air Paterson’s trouble was that ” e much too ready to sav '• les,” which had made his burden heavier than if he had said •• No.” The motion was carried. " 1 am leaving St Paul’s and Christchurch with the deepest regret,” Air Paterson v said. “1 appreciate the kindness of my brethren in the Christchurch Presbytery. The pastoral tie was dissolved as lrom the date of Air Paterson’s induction in Wangnaui, fixed provisionally for June 26. Mr Webster was appointed moderator at St Paul’s, and Mr Paterson resigned all his positions- on the presbytery. Messrs Howes, Bickerstaff and Rule were appointed to draw up an appreciation of Air Paterson,- to bo submitted to next meeting of the presbytery.