ST. PAUL'S NEW MINISTER

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160712, 27 July 1920, Page 3

ST. PAUL'S NEW MINISTER

| REV. E. R. HARRIES, I The last issue of the Outlook contains [ the following reference relating to the - call of the Rev. B. R. Harries from Timaru to St, Paul's Presbyterian Church, Wanganui: A pro re nata meeting of the Timaru Presbytery was held on Thursday, Ist July. Rev. C. McDonald, Moderator, explained that the object of the meet' ing was to consider a call which had been received from St. Paul’s Church, Wanganui, to the Rev. E. R. Harries, of Chalmers Church. Mr Stinson laid on the table the call, which was signed by 250 members of St. Paul’s congregatiou out of a roll uumber of 313 and by 75 adherents. The stipend was .£6OO per annum, with manse, and a motor-car was provided. The Moderator said he was well acquainted! with Wanganui, and he was certain that if Mr Harries accepted the call he would receive a loyal welcome from the congregation of St. Paul’s. The call had been heartily taken up by St. Paul’s congregation and with practical Unanimity. Mr R. H. Bowie read a resolution from the Session of Chalmers Church, placing on record its appreciation of the services of Mr Harries during the five years he had been pastor of Chalmers; and expressing regret at the departure of Mr Harries, and wishing him every success and happiness in his future charge. Mr Bowie endorsed the remarks contained in the resolution, and said that the congregation of Chalmers deeply regretted the departure of Mr Harries. Mr Austin (Chalmers) said that while Chalmers .Church regretted the departure of Mr Harries, they recognised that the call was a divine one, and hence the congregation, much as it regretted losing Mr Harries, bowed to the inevitable. Mr J. Cleland (Chalmers) eulogised the work of Mr Harries, and expressed his personal regret at his coming departure Mr F. M. Mai colmson (Chalmers) endorsed Mr Aus tin’s remarks, and paid a tribute of praise to the manner in which Mr Harries had carried out his pastoral duties. -Mr vv. Jennings (Chalmers) expressed his regret at the departure of Mr Harries, and said that the call was one to greater work, and hence Chalmers Church, while deeply feeling the loss of Mr Harries, could not do otherwise than acquiesce in his departure. Mr G. Steven (Chalmers) expressed his regret at the departure of Mr Harries, and wished him and Mrs Harries Godspeed and all success in their new home. Mr J. Hutchison (Chalmers) expressed his personal regret at the departure of Air Harries, and endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. Mr Harries thanked the various speakers, and said ho had never sought the call, which was spontaneous and unanimous, being signed by over 80 per cent, of St. Paul’s Church. He had spent nearly six busy years at Chalmers, and would feel parting with good and loyal friends. The congregation of Chalmers was in a good state to face a vacancy, provided the vacancy was not too long. It had been said by some of the speakers that the call was a divine one, and ho believed this. The Moderator then led in prayer, after which Mr Usher moved that the call should be placed in the hands of Mr Harries, and this was seconded by Mr Wow. The motion was carried, and the call was placed in the bends of Mr Harries, who accepted it, and in doing so said he did so with a full sense of responsibility. Ho had not seen Wanganui nor his future con gregation, but he went forth in. faith in God. He deeply regretted leaving the Timaru Presbytery, and especially parting from his colleague Mr Stinson, who had always been unselfish and courteous in all his actions. Mr Stinson moved that the pastoral tie between Mr Harries and Cbaimers Church should be dissolved, and that Mr Harries should await the instructions of the Wanganui Presbytery, and said it was with deep regret he moved the motion. Mr Stinson spoke in glowing terms of the work of Mr Harries, which he said had been characterised by a high spiritual tone. Mr Harries had also endeared himself to the members of the Timaru Ministers’ Association and would oo missed by them. The motion was carried, and the Rev. A. Begg was appointed interim Moderator of Chalmers Church. Rev, Harries and family will arrive iu Wanganui to-morrow afternoon. The induction ceremony will Ire performed on Thursday afternoon.