VISIT TO WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 84, 8 April 1936, Page 8

VISIT TO WANGANUI

PRESBYTERIAN MODERATOR , RT. REVEREND H. H. BARTON, M.A. Wanganui is to receive a 'isit from ;he Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, the Right Reverend H. H. Barton, M.A. The visit will take place during the Easter season, and special services will be held among the Presbyterian congregation of Wanganui and its disThe Moderator’s job is not a constant one; it lasts but for one year. For one brief years he wears the glory and bears the responsibility of office, delivering his soul in the Moderator's adores." at the opening of the General Assembly, presiding over its session, leading it devotions, guiding its business, maintaining its order; and at intervals durng the remainder of the year visiting this or that Presbytery, taking special services, and gracing church functions with his august presence. In Scotland, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland is a very high dignitary indeed, and fur all ceremonial occasions, according to long-standing custom, he wears court dress. This year, by a curious coincidence, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland is Dr. Marshall i Lang, brother of Dr. Cosmo Gordon Lang, Archbishop of Canterbury. The Moderator we are to welcome in i Wanganui is the Right Reverend H. H. Barton, M.A. He was born at. Portobello, Otago, and is the son of James Barton, who was schoolmaster at. Portobello for 28 years. The early pieties of a re.’igious home were followed by a fine record of scholastic successes at high school and university. At the samp time young Barton took a large share in the religious activities at the university, and later showed his keen interest in the mission work of the Church, both in New Zealand and abroad. In the work of the ministry, Mr. Barton has had pastorates at Westport, at Limestone Plains (Southland), and at Maori Hill. Dunedin. IDuring his ministry in Dunedin he became convener of the Church’s 'rheological Hall Committee. an office of grace responsibility. This was followed by appointment as foreign missions secretary, and for several years Mr. Barton held the threads of the Church’s work abroad, in the Punjab, in Canion, and in the New Hebrides archipelago. Though he relinquished that office eight years ago, on becoming minister of Lawrence (Otago), Mr. Barton brings tn the congregations he is visiting a. wide and penetrating vision of the Church's life and the service to which she is challenged. During his moderaf iona I visit Wanganui, Mr. and Mrs. Barton will be the* guests of Mrs. J. Reid, Brunswick. The Moderator will take part in a Communion Service at St. Paul’s on Good Fridav at 10.36 a.m. On Saturday afternoon and reception is being arranged by i'.ip Trust Board at the Margaret Watt. Home. Musstown. On Easter Day the Moderator will be the preacher a.t services at Fordell (10 a.m.), Westmere (2 p.m.), and at. a combined service of Presbyterian congregations in St. Paul’s al 7 p.m.