Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

31 articles on this Page

------_-----------------_-PRESENTATION…

News
Cite
Share

PRESENTATION TO THE REV. GEORGE E. WATSON, LATE OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PONTYPOOL. On Thursday night, the 2nd inst., at the Presbyterian Church, High-street, a number of friends assembled lor the purpose of presenting the Rev G. E. Watson with a. purse of money, containing £1;), as a token of the re- spect and esteem in which he has b'een held by them during a ministry of eight years. Amongst those present on the occasion were the Rev W. Barnes, and Messrs D. Davies, W. Wood, and 'J. Morgan. Mr Wood was voted to the chair, and read the follow- ing letter frim the Rev W. M. Lewis, M.A., President of the Baptist College, Pontypool Dear Sir,—I am exceedingly sorry I cannot attend your meet- ing to-night, as I would be glad of the opportunity of testifying my deep respect for Mr Wabon's character, and my high ap- preciation of his personal worth. I feel that his departure is not merely a loss to your church, but to the town, as he has always identlfied himself with every good movement in the neighbourhood. His manly courage and devotion to the truth have won for him the esteem and affection of a large circle of friends outside the denomination of which he is minister. I wish him every success and happiness in his new sphere. Mr Wood said: My Christian friends, I find myself in a. position to-night that I have never occupied before I have often seen others here, but I have never been here myself. I was calied upon by Mr Griffiths, who told me what was about to take place, and asked me to take the chair this evening. I did not specifically pro- mise that I would take the chair, but I said I would, if all was well, be present on the occasion. As you have kindly put me in the chair, I can only say I feel great pleasure in occupying it. However, the present is an occasion that brings us sadness in one way, and gladness in another; sadness because we have lost a fellow towns- man, a gentleman we have known for seven or eight years. I am here to bear testimony—not as one of his flock-to his worth and character. I believe he has preached the Gospel faithfully among you; he has fed the sheep of Christ, and I feel can only hope the bread he has cast upon the waters in this sanctuary may be seen after many days. The work he had undertaken was faithfully discharged here. He will still go on with the good work, and God's blessing, I hope, will follow him. We shall have the pleasure of seeing him from time to time. I never heard anyone speak but in the highest terms of the abilities and Christian character of Mr Watson, and it is only right to acknowledge publicly what we know of him privately; and that you are doing to-night. He will- have to receive at your hands a testi- mony of his worth and of your regard for him (hear, hear). Mr D. Davies said: I have great pleasure in present- ing my friend, Mr Watson, on behalf of the Presbyterian Church at Pontypool and other friends, with a purse of money. I hope, Mr Watson, you will receive it as a taken of the esteem and regard in which you Tiave been, and still are, held by the Presbyterians of Pontypool as well as by other friends. So long as I have known Mr Watson I found him a true minister of the Gospel; his whole object was to preach Christ and truth. He has been very faithful in his duties—always at his post; and it is a great thing to say of a man that he was faithful (hear, hear). Mr Davies then formally pre- sented the purse of money to Mr Watson. Mr John Jones, deacon of the church, delivered an address. He said: I hardly know what to say, Mr Chairman and friends, on an occasion like the present; it is one of those occasions when we possess mixed feel- ings, especially when we consider the time that Mr Watson has been amongst us. But idle words of flattery would be of little value to our friend we have here a substantial token of our feeling towards him. The amount ( £ 15), gathered at such a time, truly surprised me. It was a very unfortunate time for the church, for just as this movement was started I was ordered to go about and see if I could get a few shillings to help on the cause. I must say that many have done their best, but others have not given anything for the simple reason that they could not afford to do so. There are a few incidents during his connection with this church that he will never forget. To begin with, this is the first church that he had under his care after he left College. You know it is a rule that to young men just from College small churches are always given, the large and flourishing churches being reserved for men of more experience, and in this way the small churches are. as it were, a kind of nursery for the bigger ones. Well, this is the first church that Mr Watson had the care of after leaving College, and I venture to say he will agree that the lessons taught in churches are a great deal more important than the lessons taught in colleges and for this reason, that in churches a minister has to study men and women, how to make all things harmonise, to assign to every one in the army of Christ his preper place, and so be able to meet the foe. Next, it was whilst in connection with this congregation that Mr Watson obtained a wife-one of the best and most pre- cious gifts of God to man in this world and thirdly, his leaving, He will ever remember the display of esteem and affection for him, not only within this church, but also outside by members of other denominations, Wherever his lot may in future be cast, I wish him every success and happiness (hear, hear). Mr Shorland next addressed the meeting. He had very little to say more than to corroborate what Mr Jones had said He (the speaker) had been connected with the church since the beginning of Mr Watson's ministry and he had liked it, for Mr Watson had always preached the Gospel purely and faithfully. They failed, however, to retain him, and they had reason for it. The church had been getting very low, and it was only natural that Mr Watson should look out for a better place, because they were unable to pay him what was necessary for him- self and family. He hoped that Mr Watson would do well wherever he went. Mr J. Morgan, postmaster, then addressed those as- sembled. He said:—Out of respect to Mr Watson and the cause, I can say that I feel great pleasure in coming to hear what has been said of him. But still I feel his departure will be a considerable loss to the neighbour- hood yet I hope we shall occasionally have his help and his presence to encourage us. I think Mr Watson has done his part as a true minister of Christ; I believe he has preached the Gospel faithfully, truthfully, and without fear or favour. He leaves this place with my sincere wishes for his welfare, both spiritually and worldly; and I hope he will be happy wherever he goes (applause). Mr Watson then addressed the assemblage, as follows: -My dear Christian friends, I am very pleased to come here this evening to receive at your hands this mark of your esteem and favour towards me. I am deeply thank- ful to the friends for the testimony which they have borne as regards my character. Of course, what is snoken of as to ability is only a secondary consideration character is before all. Mental ability is only silver and brass, but character is gold and precious stones. All that I desire with regard to what has been said is that I hope I have deserved it all. It is easy to speak and bear testimony, but the crowning point of all is to de- serve the esteem of men and the high testimony which may be borne to a man's character; and if I have only deserved a tithe of what you have spoken of me to-night, I thank Almighty God for it :-1 thank Him that He has enabled me to preserve a good character, and not re- flect dishonour on the Gospel which I preached. It should be the aim of every Christian so to live that the Gospel may not be evilly spoken of. It is quite possible for a man to live here and have good testimony but after he is gone something is discovered that does not re- flect credit on the man, nor on the Gospel either. We ought to deserve, as Christian people and Christian ministers, not only the praise of men, but also the plea- sure of Almighty God—to be pleasing in the sight of God. It is quite possible that one cannot be entirely pleasing to the people-as a preacher-at all times. A man occupies a very trying position ia the ministry. It is easy to preach so that no one may be affended, if a man makes it his highest aim not to offend his fellow-man but if we declare the whole counsel of God to man it is easy to give offence, and hearers are often offended on that account. I cannot expect that I have always been pleasing to the church and congregation it is possible that I have offended many times. Youth is inclined to impetuosity. A young minister is inclined to utter things, if not rashly, with less consideration than older ministers. I think congregations and churches ought to be careful in what they say about young ministers. We ought to weigh well our words, and make choice of them, so that none be offended." But I trust that many have received some benefit from my ministry during the time I have been here, Although no large success has followed my work, in the worldly estimation of success, I trust my ministry has left a permanent impression on the minds of some. Some have been brought here by my ministry that will be everlasting monuments of Divine grace some have been built up in the holy faith. There is a day coming when all things will be revealed' when all that ever man has exerted himself in for the good and evil of men through all generations of man- kind will be revealed; and I trust that that day will reveal some influence for good in this church. This is a world of changes and mutations; and it has been so with this church. We lime accu uie iniu }'1.<- or;)" strong, and sometimes very weak; but, nevertheless, influences have gone forth from here that will do good for all time; and I trust that I have been the humble instrument to do good in that way. I have aimed at giving a healthy tone to my ministry, that it might not be stained with a sickly sentimentalism. It is quite possible to be a minister of the Gospel and create an un- healthy appetite in a congregation. It is necessary to preach the Gospel in such a way that an unhealthy ap- petite might not be created in a congregation and in order to do-this, there must be a little severity some- times that, perhaps, is not very palatable to some-but better that than disease through the whole body. I can conscientiously say this has been one of the chief objects of my ministry, and I shall never lose siglt of it, what- ever man may say. The great aim of the ministry is Dot to pander to the desires of men, but to endeavour to make them good Christians. I have endeavoured to avoid narrowness and bigotry, and also laxity in doc- trine. I desire to live and preach in such a way that other congregations of God's people would not be of- fended—in such a way that I have never felt myself trammelled in preaching to other congregations in the town, because it has been my aim to preach the Gospel in such a. way that no bigotry or narrowness should be en- gendered in the mind of anyone. As to laxity, some people speak of having a broad creed. A broad creed for all men, and a narrow one for myself. Dr. Duncan once said he had a large creed for the Christian world, and a narrow one for himself. We should be careful, as Christian ministers, of the errors which are rampant in our land to-day. It is possible to create sceptics and infidels, to dislodge the minds of many, by preaching what is uncertain to them. I have preached the truth of God very often strongly, but not more strongly than I believed it myself. I have done that which was best under the circumstances. I have, no doubt, been guilty of indiscretions a thousand times over, but they were not intentional. I trust God will pardon my short- comings, and bless that which I have done for the good of the people. I thank you and all who have subscribed to this testimonial from the bottom of my heart, and wish you every success, both spiritually and corporally, The Rev. W. Barnes next addressed the meeting. He said:—I am very much pleased to be here this evening: I ought to have met my own church and people to-night" but I arranged to be absent from there in order to be pre- sent here. This meeting has an interest for me as well as for you, and this interest arises from my personal know- ledge of Mr Watson. We find it a pleasure to separate from some persons-men whose moral character will not stand the test, and whose conduct is a disgrace to them- selves and to society *-it is a. pleasure topart with such men, But in the caso of a man whose character is not only morally worthy, but a man who is a true Christian minister—whose influence tended to purify and elevate society, it is a most serious task to part with such a man. I have known Mr Watson during the time I have been in the town, and I have found him quite the man I have described in every sense of the word-most assiduous as a Christian minister, and most intellectual. Socially and morally, in every sense of the word, Mr Watson was a. good man. Without the least flattery or exaggeration, I am quite sure that the town in losing Mr Watson is suffering a great loss. I do not say that he has pleased you all, or yet every one in this town. If, in a world so crooked as this is, all men speak well of you, there is something wrong in our Lord's words-" Woe unto you when all men speak well of you." ,You cannot point out a single man of whom every one speaks well. The fact is, that a good moral man is very likely to be spoken ill of by many, for his conduct is diametrically opposed to their conduct. But it does not follow that the man's conduct on that accouut has not been sound and his services faithful. I do not speak to flatter Mr Watson; he has too much good sense to be flattered. The testimonial you have here to the worth and cha- racter, and to the faithfulness of his long services, will link you and him together. I trust that you as a church and a people will prosper generally, and that your loss will be his gain. I trust that if you are in search of his successor that you will find one in whom the Spirit of God is, and on whose shoulders his (Mr Watson's) mantle has fallen. I wish you, Mr Watson, all possible success in your sphere of labour; also the greatest hap- piness to you and to those amongst whom you are now ministering, and to those whom you have left behind you, praying that God's blessing may generally rest upon you all. Mr Watson Before we close, I should like to propose a vote of thanks to Mr Wood for presiding over this meeting. Mr Wood was one of the first I came to know in this town outside of the people of this church, and I am thankful to say that the friendship then sprung up has never abated. There are many here in the town for whom I shall cherish the highest respect, but espe- cially for Mr Wood. I now propose a vote of thanks to Mr Wood for presiding over this meeting. Mr Jones seconded the proposition, which was carried with acclamation. Mr Wood returned thanks. The Doxology was then sung, and with a prayer by Mr Watson the proceedings were brought to a close.

SATURDAY.

MONDAY.I

Advertising

i TRIED BY FIRE.

LANDORE STEEL WORKS.

UNION OF MINERS' ASSOCIATIONS.I

[No title]

-------PARIS EXHIBITION.

[No title]

__------------------------------------CORRESPONDENCE.…

To the Editor of the Free…

To the Editor of the Free…

Family Notices

THE GREYHOUND CORNER.I

LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS. _""'-.."'''''''"'-'.......'"'V'"t..'''''''''''''''''''"............".........................,...""",...........................................,,.,,,,,......,...

BLAENAVON.

-------PONTNEWYDD.

CWMBRAN.

LLANVRECHVA LOWER.

-LLANVAIR KILGEDIN.

ABERGAVENNY.

BRYNMAWR.I

NEWPORT.

CARDIFF.

ABERDARE.

----------I SWANSEA.

PONTYPOOL UNION. """""""'''''''''-.,¡''\,.'''''''''''''''''''''''''''""",,".......-v''\.''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

THE EASTERN CRISIS.

THE TIN-PLATE TRADE.

[No title]