PATEA NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11951, 28 March 1894, Page 2

PATEA NOTES

FAREWELL TO MR WEBSTER, (From aSpecui, ConREsrosDKNT) That Mr Webster's departure from our midst is a great loss to our district and move especially to the Sabbath School work carried on herej is only too apparent to us all, when we reflect for a moment on the time and attention he has given to Christian work among the young. The notice that ho was leaving for Palmerston North on tho 28th inst. was of the briefest kind, yet the young people with whom he has been associated for the past six yoavs, could not let their friend and teacher go away without showing in some way their kindly respect for the man and their deep love and reverence for him as their counsellor and guide •, hence it was, that on Sunday afternoon last, after the school work was done, a handsomely illuminated address, together with a beautiful copy of Tennyson's poews was presented to Mr Webster by the scholars attending the Patea Presbyterian Sunday School, as a mark of esteem in which he was held by them all. Tho address, which was read by master Gordon Howitt, is as follows : — Dear Mr Webster, we, the children of the Patea Presbyterian Sunday School, desire you to accept of this small gift as something to indicate the high esteem in which you are held by us, both as Superintendent and as an example of how a Christian should livo and act in this world, for yon have bean amongst us as " one that serves," and that for Jesus' sake. Please do not regard this gift as in auy sense the measure ; of our appreciation of your labours on our behalf. We know you well enough to feel sure that you will sot a far higher value on the heart's affliction which accompanies this, than upon the material value of Hie gift itself. We vow wish that you and Mrs Webster and family may enjoy good health, j success and happiness wherever you may go, and that God may continue to use you for the spiritual help of others, as has been j the case amongst us." Mi- Webster's Bible Class which he has j conducted for some years, also presented him with a massive inkstand and a short address, beautifully embrossd. This address was read by Miss Ada Howitt, who also j added the following words: — " I would just like to add to the formal a'ltlress, that I feel ' it a great privilege to present to you on behalf of our class, this »maU gift as atolsea of the high esteem in which we hold you as a teacher. I cannot say what we feel upon an occasion like thts, but I am sure wo will over remember you as a true friend, and as one who always took the greatest interest in our spiritual welfare. We feel that it is hard to part with you, but as it must be, we will follow you with our prayers, and hope God may bloss you and yours in all tilings at your new home. Mrs Webster's class them presonted her with a handsomely bound volume of selected poems. Mr Webster, who was visibly affected, then addressed the children in reply, and as ho delivered one o£ those pointed addresses which is so characteristic of the man, many of the children burst into tears. Mr Webster said in closing that he could not say half what he had intended to say, but that in parting it seemed as if his very heart strings for the Moment wove intwtun. He could never forget the children or the school, where he had hboured so long. At the end oi his address Mr Webster was completely overcome, and as the children filed out of the church with tears streaming down their faces, shaking hands with their late Superintendent in silence— for both wore too affected to speak — they felt, indeed, that they were losing one of thoir best frionds, and Mr Webster could not but have noticed in the faces of the children that his labours amongst them had not been in v<aiu, and that they had profited much by his sojourn in their midst. Mr Webster's departure will bo indeed felt by us all, but more especially by Christian workers, with whom he has been associated so long. [From Our Own Correspondent.] Patea, March 27. The setvicos at the English and Roman Catholic Churche3 on Good Friday were well attended— in the evening especially so. Very practical addresses were delivered at the English Church, On Easter Sunday the English Church was neatly decorated. Holy Communion was administered at 8 a.m- and 11 a.m , and the services morning and evening were choral, tha anthem baing "They havo taken away my Lord." iha church was packed on Easter evening, the sitting accommodation being taxed to the utmost. The Eev. Mr Harper preached wfcollent Hid interesting sermons. A large number rf peoplo attended tho races, and the fields wero good— tho largest number of entries the Club lias ever had. Poor dividonds wore tho order of tho day, with the exception of X6l, on wliich were fivotirkets. The concert and operetta provided by tho Mi6so3 Jacomb proved, as usual, very enjoyable, the programme being carried out faithfully and well. A packed house tvas *-he result of the care and_ culture always bestowed on these entertainments,

Messrs Randal and Jones, general storekeepers, of Quyton-street, deaire to intimftto that they have still a large stock of Crockery, Glassware, Brushware, 4c, to dispose of at greatly reduced prices, and that no reasonable offer will be re"v cd— Advfc, Cease's Dandelion Cofpee is the surest cure for indigestion. Sold by all grocers. — Advt. Sir Geobob Gket, X.C B:— A magnificent portrait from the most recent photograph, suitable for framing, may be had from Mckee and Gamble, N.Z. Press Agency, Wellington. Prico,2s Id, including pvstago. Ageuts wtntod— Advt.