PROMINENT PRESBYTERIAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 259, 2 November 1932, Page 11

PROMINENT PRESBYTERIAN

REV. RYBURN PASSES FORMER ST. PAUL’S MINISTER Telegraphed advice from Christchurch, received in Wanganui yesterday, announces tho death of Rev. R. M. Byburn, at thd ago of 66 years. Bev. Kyburn, lately of Sumner, Christchurch, is well known to older members of the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church congregation, Wanganui, as ho was minister at that church from 1897 to 1909. It was owing to his zeal for work among the younger members of his church that the St. John’s Hill Sunday School was commenced. The late Mr. Byburn was born at Panmure, Auckland, in 1865, and was educated at Auckland city schools, Auckland College and Grammar School, Auckland University College and Otago University. Ho graduated M.A. iu 1889, and was a minister at Gisborne from 1890 till 1897; St. Paul’s, Wanganui, 1897-1909; First Church, Invercargill, 1909-1921. Since 1921 he has been director of youth work in connection with the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Byburn leaves a widow, three sons and two daughters. Last year Bev. Ryburn was forced to relinquish the position of director of youth work on account of ill-health iand the General Assembly’s high appreciation of his valued service to the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand was expressed in the following minute: “On officially bidding farewell to tho Rev. R. M. Ryburn, M.A., as he retires from the position of Youth Director after ten years’ service, we wish to place on record our keen appreciation of himself personally, and the work he has so successfully carried out. The position of director was not sought by him, but the General Assembly in 1920 called him from his ministry in St. Andrew’s Church, .Christchurch, and entrusted him with the larger ministry to our young people. It is unnecessary to enter much into the details of the work under his charge, but we must express very definitely the church’s indebted ness to him in the developing of our youth department, bearing as it does excellent testimony to his devoted service. “Mr. Ryburn, as our first director, had to face difficulties inseparable from all beginnings, but we believe the foundations have been well and truly laid, and that tho years as they pass will prove thp value of his work. During Mr. Ryburn’s term of office, and largely through his efforts, iu addition to general expansion of Sunday schools and Bible classes, the Dominion Council of Sunday School Teachers was established, also teachers’ training classes and correspondence for teachers, Home Sunday schools and Union Sunday schools, the Literature Department, with its bookroom; the partnership in the Australian and New Zealand Lessons, also the New Zealand Council of Religious Education.

“In addition to all these activities, Mr. Ryburn has by visitation kept closely in touch with our Bible classes and Sunday schools throughout the Dominion. In all the negotiations and preparation connected with the forward movement which is now being undertaken by the Assembly, Mr. Ryburn has rendered very valuable

service to the Church. “As ho lays down the reins of office wo may say truly, 'Servant of God, well done,’ and we heartily wish him the continued blessing of the Great Head of the Church, praying that the years yet to be may be many and peaceful, with an abiding sense of the Master’s presence.”