Ordination and Induction Ceremony.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 521, 21 October 1890, Page 2

Ordination and Induction Ceremony.

st. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was crowded on Sunday morning, when the impressive ceremony of ordination and induction of the Rev. R. M. Ry bum took place. The Commissioners were the Revs. Douglas (of Tarao .le) an-i A. \i ~,r , e ( o f Remuera). The Rev. M. Raeburn (of Wairoa) wag unahe to ho present. .The church was prettily decorated within tlowere, a ul abovW.be pu pit, worked with a square of leaves on the wall, wis the tex*. “ Ln. I coma to do Thy will.” Miss G. Adair presided at tho organ. An opportunity given in ewe anyone had objecij )us io make to Mr Ryburn. but of course none were made The sermon wag delivered by the Rev. Mr Doughs, his toxi b -ing from Matthew, chap. 14, 15 21. He showed that there was a close connection between things natural and thinzs spiritual—they were controlled as by two separate rei <B, but both held in God's hand. 1 The speaker compared the world to a desert spiritua’lv, but it contained many bright oase”, and ho especially dwelt on the necessity nf rep sing trust iu Christ. The Rev. Mr Monroo conducted the ordinat on service. His near, calm (though unfortunately not s’rong) voice ; his 'houghtful and candid, yet kind and reverential, utterances, made a great impression on the congregation and there cou’d be no doubt that the minister described aright the feelings'of the young pastor ( it least at a later when he said he could judge that that gentleman felt as if he cou’dru-h a vay from the church to be alone with Gnd.and ask for strength to carry on the work of his Master. H < counselled the you ng man on the duties of his holy oalij-.g. His private as well as his pub ic life should be an example tha'- might be f illowed. He should maintain those studios which he had hiiherto prosecute 1 with so much credit to himself—not only theological but other studies. People now read so much that it was eesendal the minister should keep himself well informed, and not be con ent to rely upon the power he might have of ]n iking extempore sermons* He should always uphold the Master’s name, he g.iouid mix among tho people as much as possible, and in visiting take a deep interest in the aswl and i< fl ra, and io the young people. One of ths greatest ditUcubiea ia Church work was to re aio in the Church those who had justi passed from lha Sunday* schools and had not yet j »ined the Church. If the young were got hnid of they also got hold of the old. He should take a deep interest in all branches of Courch work, and instruct the young in the grand history of the Church. He commended the pastor to ba ca'hi-is and liberal in his sympathies with other religious workers—there was now a great deal of unity and co-operation among the ministers and people connected with the various churche*. and by cultivating thit spirit of c ithoiicism, he would also gain the respect of those who were not members of his nwn Churoh. Tne speaker hoped that Mr Rvburn would long be spared to do good work in the pastorate, and that he would ba accorded the s-mpathies and help of the oomtroga ion. Then the Rev. Mr Monroe addressed his remarks to the congregation gen-’ra ly, frankly, (hough not io a Upirlt of dic'a'i »n, pnin'ing out the duties devolving □poo the members of the Church. He exr pressed the pleasure he had at being present on that Oceanian, Mr Ryburn having been in his (Mr Monroe’s) Habbuh sohqol, and joined tho Church Under him He regretted that 80 few of the congregation took an active interest in the Church work, and said it was a great mistake to suppose that every* thing should be left to the mi.iister and office bearers. They r-h iuld cordially help cht ir pastor, and attendance at church morning ind evening should be a matter of conscience, At Auckland, he regretted to say, many had git vary lux in 'hit respect, and seeiped to think they hid done w*ll if they attended Church once on Sunday. Regular and punctual a'-tendancp, and close attention td what was Bii i, gave a great encouragement to the minister, ns the reverse waa dis—c.inraging. Mr Spurg on had said that he felt, if there was a blind man iu tbe con* gregvion, he had not been successful if that man did not show his attention by turning his face towards the preacher. The speaker commented on the habit that prevailed when a minister was ta king about sin for listeners, instead of applying it to themaeivvs, to look over heir shoulder, and think how warm someone e se was getting it. He exhorted the congregation to live up to their religion through all their ordinary occupations, to maintain it in their homes, and to be ca eful of the good name of the minister. M*oy young people were driven fr-.m the Cbureh by bearing remarks thoughtlessly made in the household. He als ) impressed upon th© congregation than giving heartily,. according to their means, was a part of worship. He concluded by trusting that the blessing of God would rest upon the Church and their minister. On leaving the building each one had hh opportunity to shake hands and congratulate the new pastor, and the opportunity was cordially availed of. Daring the morning and evening service, the choir sang an appropriate selection “ God bless our Pastor.” The Rev. Mr Monroe conducted the evening service.