VALEDICTORY

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2316, 27 March 1930, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

i TWO FAMILIES FAEEWELLED. OF GOOD METHODISTS. The Cambridge Methodist Church is sustaining a severe loss through' the departure of two prominent families, the members of which have been • splendid workers in the Church. We refer to Mr and Mrs Geo. Gutry and family, of Roto-o-rangi, and Mr and Mrs P. G. Lewis and family, of Cam"bridge. Ml Gutry is being transferred to Onewhero, near Tuakau, on promotion, While Mr Lewis has received an appointment as inspector in the Hawke's Bay Educational District. Fine Function. Last Tuesday evening a social gathering was held at St. Paul's Methodist schoolroom, to afford t-i? members an ■opportunity of saying farewell to the departing friends. There was a very large and representative gathering, including residents from all parts of the circuit, and the function was an exceedingly successful one in every way. The hall had been arranged as a draw-ing-room, the many vases and bowls of flowers, together with other decorations, in the B.C. colours, being most sj"? effective.

Loss to the District. Eev. J. W. Parker briefly explained the reason for holding the gathering,

and spoke feelingly of the loss the

church was sustaining through the departure of the Gutry and Lewis families, both of which he classed as the salt of the earth. They were people -who put Godliness and "good living first. The church and indeed the

whole community were the better for having had them amongst them. J Mr and Mrs Gutry had done noble serVice during their many years' service in the church, more especially among the young people, and their places

would'bo most diflicult to.fill. Mr and

Mrs Lewis* had only been with them <!■ for a short time, but had done fine service during that time. While all regretted the departure of two such excellent families, Mr Parker added, they were glad to have had their friendship, and heartily thanked them for the splendid service they had rendered. All wished them every . happiness in the future, and the speaker assured them that their prayers would follow them. Bible Classes and Sunday, School. Mr E. J. Easter, speaking as choir-

master and .Sunday School. supcrinten-

dent, jokingly remarked that he the church people should enter b vigorous, protest against,.the action ,<of the Educational authorities for re-

moving two such splendid, schoolmas- »•;. ters as Messrs Gutry and Lewis from the district. Mr Easter congratulated "both these gentlemen on their promotion to higher positions. The speaker referred to the fine service rendered the choir by Mr Lewis and Miss Valerie, and to the Sunday school by Miss Dora Lewis, and .added that the family had been a spiritual asset to the church. Mr and Mrs Gutry and family had also given of their best in many branches •of church activity. Mr and Miss Gutry had been valued choir members — and Mrs Gutry also for some considerable timo. As leaders of the Bible Classes, Mr and Mrs Gutry had done -Bull they could to help the Sunday school while Miss Gutry had been an excellent teacher in the Sunday school. Mr Easter, on behalf of the Sunday School, presented Miss Gutry with a i beautiful Oxford Bible, as a token of appreciation of her connection w*th the school, and wished her and her parents Godspeed. Young People's Appreciation. Miss Penn, representing the Young

Women's Bible Classes, expressed the appreciation of the members of these of the work done by Mrs Gutry as senior class leader. She had been a real mother to the girls, and her interest in them and leadership was fullyappreciated. Miss Penn expressed regret at losing such good friends as Mr and Mrs Gutry, and also Mr and Mrs Lewis.

Mr Howard Bycroft spoke on behalf of the Young Men's Bible Class, saying they owned a deep debt to Mr Gutry for his leadership of the class, the zeal he had always displayed, and the high ideals that he had tried to inculcate. Mr Bycroft assured Mr and Mrs Gutry of the very best wishes of .all the boys. Presentation.

Mr Frank Penn (senior circuit steward) voiced the general regret felt throughout the entire circuit at the loss of two such outstanding families as the Gutry's and Lewis'. Mr and Mrs Gutry had been resident in the district for some ten or eleven' years, during the whole of which time they had served the church faithfully and well in many capacities, Mr Gutry being circuit steward for some years, Bible Class leader, choir member, etc., while Mrs Gutry had been Bible Class leader

and an assiduous church member. Miss

Gutry was a choir member, and Sun—><#ay School teacher. Eev. Norman Gutry had" received his early training at

the local Bible Class, and Mr Theo. Gutry, who was to remain in Cambridge, was also in the Bible Class. Mr Penn said'Mr Gutry did not push himself into the limelight, but would always be remembered for his faithful service and "His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love." Mrs Gutry, the speaker declared, was a good woman, and he quoted George Meredith's authority that "God's richest blessing was, after all, a good woman." Mr Penn also spoke of the fine service rendered the church by Mr and Mrs Lewis and family, who, though only resident here for about a year, had been greatly appreciated. As circuit steward the speaker heartily thanked the guests of the evening for their loyalty and their generous services, and wished them all happiness and prosperity in their new spheres. Mr Penn, on behalf of the friends of the circuit, then handed to Mr an d Mrs Gutry a substantial cheque, expressing the wish that they might therewith purchase some present that would remind them of the love and esteem of the Cambridge people. Mrs P. G. Lewis was presented with a lovely roses. Mr Gutry's Reply. Mr Gutry, in reply, said he was overwhelmed with the events of the evening. On behalf of his wife, daughter and himself he , heartily thanked all present for their attendance, and the speakers for their flattering remarks, but he was sure he did not deserve much of what had been credited to him. If they had been of any use to the church, it was indeed a pleasure to them, and he assured his hearers that the church had been a wonderful thing to him and his family. They would be ingrates indeed if they did not acknowledge all they owed the church. There were certain reasons why they could not help but be pleased to move' on, said Mr Gutry, but he assured them they were all deeply sorry to leave the church and the good people connected with it. They had been most happy in their church life, and were particularly pleased to have had the opportunity of working among the young people. Mr Gutry reiterated his thanks. They would never forget Cambridge or the Cambridge people, and would ever be thankful for the many kindnesses received at their hands. Mr Lewis' Thanks.

Mr Lewis, in acknowledging the kindly appreciation of his family's connection with the church, said the time spent in Cambridge had been all too short. He had at first refused an offer of an inspectorship, feeling that he would like to remain in Cambridge, but he had been pressed to reconsider his decision, and had felt it wise to accept the offer. Mr Lewis said Cambridge was a very beautiful place, and there was much in it that he and Mrs Lewis liked very much. They were geni inely sorry to leave it, and would always look back with pleasure to the happy time they had spent here. Mr Lewis expressed regret that he had not been more active in church work during his stay in the district. Good Programme. During the evening a very enjoyable programme was rendered, including the following items, all of which were encored:—Song, Mr Geo. Gutry; monologue, Miss Valerie Lewis; violin solo, Miss Annie Tripp; humorous recital, Mr Bruce Murray; humorous song, Mr P. G. Lewis; vocal quartette, Misses Penn and Gutry, Messrs Gutry and Penn; recital, Miss Joyce Arnold; song, Mr Arthur Symonds.

Supper "was served at the close of the gathering, thus ending a very fine function indeed.

KITCHEN EVENING.

In connection -with the social a- "kitchen evening" was held, in houour of Miss Mavis Gutry, who is shortly to be married. A numerous and useful lot of presents was brought along, and presented to the bride-elect. Much interest centred in the opening up of the parcels, which were afterwards displayed. Mr Geo. Simon, bridegroom elect, heartily thanked the donors of the presents.