VETERAN METHODIST MINISTER HONOURED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18187, 21 June 1927, Page 15

VETERAN METHODIST MINISTER HONOURED.

Last evening, in the Carlton Cafe, the Rev S. Lawry was the guest of the Methodist preachers and laymen of Christchurch, and he was presented with a revolving chair and revolving bookcase. Mr Lawry has retired after many years of service, in part of which he was connexional secretary. Mr J. A. Flesher, vice-president of the Methodist Conference; presided, on his right being the guest of the evening, and on his left Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., and Mrs 11. P. Lawry, the former being his son. Mrs M’Carthy, his daughter, was also at the principal table. A number of apologies for absence were read. Mr Flesher said that Mr Lawry first saw the light of day seventy-three years ago, in Cornwall, and he was not very old when he came to New Zealand, where he completed his education. He was pleased to see that Mr Lawry was still looking so well. The speaker was glad to see Mrs M’Carthy, daughter of Mr Lawry, present, and also Mr IT. P. Lawry. Mr Flesher referred to other members of the family, and added that the Rev S. Lawry had completed fifty years in the ministry, thirty-four being on the circuit work and sixteen years as connexional secre

tary. The guest’s work was fully traced, and Mr Flesher said that the Methodist Church was not slow to recognise good services performed. Mr Lawry’s work was radical at all times, and it was largely due to him that the Methodist union was brought about. It was. also largely due to him that in 1910 a New Zealand conference was brought into existence, and the establishment of that was recognised by Mr Lawry being made first president. Mr Flesher referred to Mr Lawry’s connection with the Canterbury College Board of Governors. “We all respect him and believe that he has well earned retirement. We hope that he will live long to look backon his fifty years of service. We are deeply indebted to him for the faithful service-he has rendered to the Methodist Church, and we hope he will live long to enable him to see its progress. The gathering tonight shows the high esteem in which he is held, and the opportunity could not be allowed to pass without expressing our regard for him,” said Mr Flesher.

Other- speakers were Mr J. Lomas, on behalf of the local preachers ol Canterbury: Mr W..TT. Seed, treasurer of the supernumerary fund: and the Hon G. J. Smith, treasurer of the connexional fire insurance fund. In his reply, Mr Lawry expressed thanks for the gifts and for the expressions of appreciation by the earlier speakers. He related several anecdotes and expressed the hope that Methodism would continue to flourish. He himself had been well supported by his fellow preachers and lay preachers, and in his capacity as connexional secretary he had had much valuable support, for which he was very grateful.