The Rev J. B. Russell.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XII, 19 March 1904, Page 22

The Rev J. B. Russell.

NEW MINISTER OF KNOX CHURCH,

PARNELL

The Rev. James B. Russell, HD., 8.D.. was inducted into the charge of Knox Chun u last week in succession to the Rev. Hugh Kelly, M.A-. who some time ago accepted a call from an important Melbourne charge. The new clergyman, who comes from Brisbane (Q->. has a pleasant personality, which should win him many friends here, and his degrees speak of the scholarship which is so dear to the Scottish churchman. At the ceremony last week there was a large attendance. The new minister sat in the middle of the rostrum, having or. his right the Rev. Wn>. Watt (Moderator) and on bis left the "Father’ of the Presbytery, the Rev. Thomas Norrie. Several members of the Auckland Presbytery also sat on the rostrum.

The service was opened by the Rev. J. L. Pathello in the orthodox fashion, and he later preached from I- Peter ii., 15.

The Rev. R. Sommerville (Clerk to the Presbytery) (obtained from the minister-elect the usual replies required by the Church, and the ceremony of induction concluded with a prayer for

the success of the new minister by the Rev. G. B. Monro. The new minister was then congratulated by the members of the Presbytery present.

The Rev. Mr Monro commented upon the excellent reports which had reached the Presbytery cf Mr Russell's abilities and achievements, and said he would find a compact and united brethren in the Church in Auckland. The Rev- H. B. Gray addressed the congregation on the duties of adherents and members of the Church. He also pronounced the Benediction. The service was choral, and the organist (Mr J- H. Bennett) had taken a good deal of trouble to make the singing of a high quality. The choir sang the anthem “Send Out the Light” (Gounod) with excellent rhythm, and Stainer's "Fourfold Amen” was sung splendidly after the v-enedietion. Mr Bennett played the line prelude of “How Lovely are the Messengers” (Mendelssohn) and as a concluding voluntary Best's brilliant "Festal March.” That concluded a service interesting as well as solemn in every respect.