LAST TRIBUTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 818, 19 July 1933, Page 4

LAST TRIBUTES.

Funeral of Rev Frank Rule. “For twenty-two years the Rev Frank Rule was a pioneer in social service and for his work the province of Canterbury and the Presbyterian Church must be eternally grateful.” In these terms the Rev A. C. Watson voiced a last tribute t>o the Rev Frank Rule af the funeral service held at St Paul’s Church yesterday afternoon. Over 300 people attended the service, paying their last respects to a minister who was well known and highly esteemed throughout New Zealand. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) and members of the City Council attended the service. Representatives of the Christchurch Presbytery, other religious denominations, the medical, legal and educational professions and local bodies also took their places in the assemblage of mourners. In his address Mr Watson said that the congregation were taking their earthly farewell of one, who, as an elder of St Paul’s Church, and as an ordained minister, had encircled himself with the love and loyalty of boys and girls and men and women in all walks of life. Born in Scotland and brought up in the Church of Scotland, Mr Rule heard the call of the colonies. He went to Queensland and began work in social service with the Salvation Army. Later he married and came to New Zealand. Through close association with the Rev A. M. Morrison in Hawke s Bay he was led back to his studies in the Presbyterian faith and was subsequently ordained as a minister. In 1909 Mr Rule became afctive in social service, and this proved to be his life work. ITis main achievement was in providing homes for orphaned children, and the existence of three orphanages in Christchurch and one in Timaru wa.s largely due to his efforts.

The service at the church was conducted by the Moderator of the Christ, church Presbytery, the Rev L. M’Master. Prayers were led by the Rev J. Lawson Robinson. After the service at the church the cortege proceeded to the Addington Cemetery, where the Rev A. C, Watson, assisted by the Rev G. K. Aiken, conducted the service. A Masonic burial service was also conducted, Mr J. Olds, a member of the Christchurch Lodge, acting as chaplain. The chief mourners were Mrs F. Rule, Mrs T. White (Auckland), Miss M. M’Cabe, Dr John Rule and Messrs Robert Rule and 11. Gresham. The pall-bearers at the church were Messrs W. M’Whirter, 11. Kennedy, W. W. Rowntree, A. Robb, T. W. Reese and A. O. Wilkinson. At the graveside the bearers were Messrs G. Hutchison. M. E. Hansen, 11. Lawrence, A. Hutchison, 11. Taylor and A. Malcolm.