ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19048, 27 June 1924, Page 4

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

INDUCTION OF REV. «OHN PATERSON. The induction of the Rev. John Paterson as pastor of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church took place yesterday afternoon in the presence of a very targe congregation. The Interim-Moder-ator, Rev. Chas. Kennedy, presided, and, after delivering the induction charge to the Rev. Paterson and putting the usual questions which were satisfactorily answered, he and ether members of the Presbytery extended the right hand of fellowship to the new paston. The Rev. J. Johnston, of Knox Church, Gonville, preached the sermon, taking as his text. Jeremiah 18:4. He was followed by Rev. D. Mclvor, of Marton, who addressed the minister, ut in the absence, through illness, of the Rev. Thos. Miller, of Fcilding, also addressed the congregation. He spoke of the responsibilities of a pastor, and the duties a congregation owed their minister. Hymns appropriate to the service were sung, and prayer offered by the Inuterim Moderator. At the conclusion, Mr Paterson stood at the door of the church and shook hands with each member of the congregation. WELCOME SOCIAL. In the evening the largest congregational meeting over held in St. Paul’s Hall took place, when a welcome was extended to Rev. J. Paterson and Mrs Paterson. The Interim-Moderator occupied the chair, and there were also piesent on the platform members of the local churches, the Wanganui Presbytery, and members of the Session and Board of Management of St. Paul’s. Apologies for absence were received from Revs. T. Miller (Fcilding), Hooper IGonoville), Recd (Durie Hill). A telegram of congratulation was received from Rev. John McNeill (Nelson). Before calling upon the speakerof the evening, Rev. Kennedy read a letter from the Rev. Johu D. McKenzie, one-time pastor of St. Paul’s, extending his best wishes to Mr Paterson and the congregation.

In order to allow the maximum time for Mr and Mrs Paterson to meet mem hers of the congregation, speeches were very short. Their brevity, however, was more than compensated for by the heartiness of the welcome extende i to the new pastor and his wife. The speakers were: Mr Robert Hughes (Session). ’Jr W. J. Treadwell (Boaid of Management and congregation), Rev. D. Mclvor (Presbytery), Rev. Stanley Jenkin (Ministers’ Association). Rev. J. Paterson, in replying to the speeches cf welcome, spoke feelingly and made a deep impression on the congregation, whose ci.-operation in till branches of church work was earnestly sought. Dunug the Evening Mr Astbury, oi> behalf of the congregation, presented Rev. Chas. Kennedy with a “scrap of paper” as a mark of appreciation of the manner in which he had carried cut the duties of Interim Moderac >r. Very feeling reference was also made to the work of Rev. R. Inglis, who had most efficiently and acceptably filled the pulpit and carried on the pastor a. duties during the vacancy. Rev. Inglis, it was stated, had rendered most valuable service to the church.

Refreshments, provided by the ladies of the congregation, were handed rov.ri i by a willing band of helpers, and daring this time Mr and Mrs Paterson moved among the members of their new congregation. The social, from beg-.a ning to end, was remarkably hearty. Mr and Mrs Paterson are at present staying with Mrs T. C. Taylor, but expect to take possession of the manse before Sn.idny.