WILD BUSH NOTES.

Western Star, 9 April 1920, Page 4

WILD BUSH NOTES.

(Own Correspondent.) On Friday afternou Mr and Mrs of fko Methodist Church, who ']' f . e ' u ' In £ f° r Met liven, Canterbury school T r& e , ntertaiued iu the local i ’ " 1611 there was ,ai largo num- •, ? r(iSent - Alr Huggins, senr., presi led and said that all knew w hat , partings meant, but although they -ould probably not see each other ;?r iu y were not letting them part without some token of esteem. In presenting the guests with a, silver teapot, Mr Huggins said that in a year or two they might forget Waipango, but he hoped when they wore using the teapot they would think of their friends here, and live long to enjoy a cup of tea out of the teapot, and h© hoped that God’s blessing would be with them whereever they went. Mr J. F. Chalmers, in the course of a very fine address, said) it gave him great pleasure to bepresent, and said that he had always enjoyed listening to Mr Field, as he preached the gospel faithfully and fearlessly. He understood the guest was going] to retire, when he would have a well-earned rest. He bad had rather a large district to attend to but never neglected the services. He had heard Mr Field very well spoken of outside-his own congregation, and both he and) Mrs Field would be held in loving remembrance in the district. He prayed that God’s richest blessing rest upon them wherever they went. Mr Field, in returning thanks, said it was a very warm farewell they got, and he was pleased to see so many children present, and hoped they would keep up their interest in church matters. The local people were very faithful to. the church, and he could always depend on a, good attendance. He thanked them very sincerely for the present, and would always think olf them when using it. Mrs Field said) that as she would use it more she would specially valneib. They appreciated the thoughtfulness of the donors, and would 1 certainly think of them, when using it. If they did not meet here again she trusted to meet all in the land where there is no saying, goodbye, and that all would) gather at God’s right hand. During the evening the following it onus were contributed: Song and chorus by Mr and Mrs Field; song,' Mr Huggins; song, Mrs Field. Mrs W. Anderson presided at* the organ,, and) the meeting closed with the singing of “ God Be With Amu Till We Meet Again.” There was an unusually large attendance in tho local school last Sunday when Rev. J. Field preached his farewell sermon. Mr Field took • for his text Paul’s last discourse to the church at Ephesus, and based) his remarks on Acts 20, 35-38. In tincourse of an excellent address tho speaker dealt very fully with Paul's discourse, and the circumstances ‘Which led up to l him giving it; also Paul’s manner of life, and the greatattachment lie had to 1 the Ephesian church, and what took place on the shore at Miletus. As previous to this Paul had resided two years at Ephesus, and the people there were very well ■ acquainted with him, and had ai great love for him-. He called the elders olf the church there to be witnesses that what he said was correct, foi- from the first day he came into Asia they had known Kim. He had a clear conscience that he had/ taught them both publicly and privately Crepentence towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, and he j called them) for witnesses that he was j pure from the blood of all men, for i he had not shunned to dleclare unto ; them the whole council of God. His. i private life was also blameless. He coveted no man’s silver or gold rr apparel, and he had not only supported himself but also those who were with him ; for in tins they were oye witnesses that these hands bad ministered to lib necessities, and also to those who were with him. In, this ho had showed them how that so • labouring they ought to support the weak, and to remembers the words of the Lord Jesus when he said; “It ig more blessed to give than to receive.” It would be the last time they would see each other ,as he was on his way to Jerusalem, not knowing what would befall him there, except for the fact that in every city bonds and afflictions awaited him, But none of these things moved him, neither did he count his life dear unto himself; ho would commend them to God and te the word of hb grace. This last parting was very pathetic, and they sorrowed most of all because they Avoulcl s’ee his face no more. But although Paul was leaving God was left, and he would commend them to Him who was able to build them up and give them a place amongst all those who: are sanctified. All farewells, said tho speaker, were tinged, with sadness. There were the family partings, when some of tho , members were leaving home. There 1 was the farewell at social gatherings, ■and there was the parting among ourselves, when some would be in Canterbury and others at Wild Bush, and the possibility was 1 that they too would see each other’s faces no more; but there was the great re-union in the world beyond. There everlasting spring abounds, And never-withering flowers; Death, like a narrow- stream, divides That happy land from ours. With these words he said farewell, and when tho reckoning time came it would not be asked wether they sowed the Lord in Wild Bush, or whorecvcr else they might be, for the Lord in His glory was looking down, and he prayed that they may all 'be found at tho last serving the Lord Jesus, who loved: all. and who* gave Himself for tlmic.