IN MEMORIAM.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10588, 10 March 1902, Page 1

IN MEMORIAM.

■By wire from Dunedin last Saturday afternoon intimation *as' received 1 that the late Jlov. Harold Peten had passed away A> «<■ .r*rt. -ilittlimiah his many frien'dT^nttr^nM^ryimie hope iS his -ultimate flJcdjer*, ttSgna ffaaoomday morning by-tho Beys, A. Dewdney andliß. M.'Byburn frdbi' flieir -xespebt.jje pulpit* ■; | }n. Jihe' local Baptist aid Presbyterian Churohej^ MrAtew was born MtDunedlnrbuS ! sp&t his early boyhood days in Wanwnui; returning" ■when 'about 10 year* of Age to>ii»)naS' 1 H!*,^} wll «i* he V& fop^ie^jears employed Jn-Messr*^ ind,T-. foundry, Dunedin. Soon' Mter nisconversion, which took place a. few- year. . la^»' he eipreeeed, s,;ses^eito r enter \ht ,??* l yf)i*T' 7^»d ruboeqnent,, years Juve proved thab he was, undoubtedly called ■fevthat service by'iher > Mttbr u whom he loved, so' welh :Hi» studies involved hard. work and self-denial, but, tbeing l. tt downright earnest, he. qvercame , all difficulties and "passed with credit and srecflss his course at the- Presbyterian Theological Hall. andFN.Zs University, Bjunedin, -his professois speaking very highly of ninii During his student days he-was fortunate In enjdyuf'the^per-soial-friendsfli^ md inifnieQon'of hispastor, Bev., Alfred Ndrth; of flisßanoyer Stree.fc,, Baptist ; Church, Danedin. Mr Peters was the second student accepted by the N.Z. Baptist Union, under whose' auspices he' went through his course., During the vacation holidays in 1891 he was present -at the opening services in connection, with the local - Baptist Church,' in Ingestre Street. On .the termination of his university coiirse^ in 1893, he -received a unanimoue call to the pastorate . of the Wangakui Church. Haying accepted that call, he was ordained' in "NoVember of the same year, the services- being .conducted by the Bey. Alfred North and Charles Dallaoton. His health, ■ which had never been Tobust, was considerably' impaired by -the responsibUities and anxieties inseparable, fyom the; duties of a "pastor, and- from time to time gave -much cause for uneasiness. Early, in 1899 he be- ' canto manifestly worse, and it was,evident that it was' necessary for him' to have-a rest. Contrary, -however, .to his pirn expectations and these of ,his church, the rest failed to produce the desired effect', and it was with great regret on thcparb'of 1 the 1 church and unwillingness on his part that a longer respite was realised as imperative. Mr Peters,' accordingly,' left for .Dunedin 'for the purpose of an extended holiday and special - medical -treatment. But jrfjtoS.two. months rt reoogaisedilihat he could not hope to continue the work' he loved, so returned to Wanganui, and, after an affecting conference with his. deacons,' 'he- very: reluctantly, and after long and anxious thought; asked the church to accept his resignation as their 'pastor. With deep sorrow his,resignation was accepted, as it was recognised that the state of his health left no op^ tion. On March 31, 1901, he preached* solemn, and impressive sermons to large congregations. 1 The special farewell nteeting'was held 'on the evening of 9th 'April, when th» church was packed to ite .utmost limit by many of his. friends and admirers who were ajixious to see 'him once more. Oh the platform were several Baptist ministers, 'as well as the* local minister*' of other denominations. The, speakers, one and all, .bore.^testimony to Mr Peters' great ability, iis sterling character, Christ-like' life/ sincerity of' purpose, and' high' principle,' and each.expressed his appreciation, of and love for Mr Peters -as a minister and a> niariVreferrini' feeliMly, to the loss which Wangdhui w6uld sustain by his enforced 'retirement: At the close of, the meeting. Mr .Peters, who. was much affected, addressed some earnest parting words to all, more especially to the members of 'the church, whom 'lie exhorted to do good and faithful work in the service of the. Lord, and concluded with a fervent "Good-bye and God bless you." It is remarkable that,in Mr Peter's letter df resignation;" he besought the church to* recognise 'in it "the wiH-of-God/'-and'yeeterday morning the present pastor, the Bey. A. Dewdn^Tipreaifiea^froW-sthe words •Thy'wiir be We^whicn subject was one of a series, and had been announced previously. ' Testerday'the pulpit of the local Baptist Cfiuroh was draped, out <jf respect to the memory, of the'lato pastor, and next Sunday the Bey. A. Dewdney will preach a memorial ser-> mon in the evening. Mr Peters' eldest sister is one; of the staff of the N.^..~ Baptist Missionary Society, in India, where she "has been labouring successfully for some years. Of Mr Peters' work in Wanganui, it is unnecessary to say anything. During the seven- years of his pastorate he won and retained the esteem and affection of every member of .Mo, church- and congregation, tys brother ministers, and many other*. He .has rested from his labours, and his works follow him. To Ms sorrowing, relations and, many, friends we tender our sincere, and heartfelt sympathy. ;