'A farewell reception was given to the Rev. J. Stevens, D.D., D. Lit., in the Astor Hall on Thursday evening Inst. The proceedings opened with the rendering of "A Wife's Song," by the Union Church Choir, after which Mr. Clapp, who was in splendid. soiree, sang. "The Promise of fe." Mr. J. Lowrie made his first bow to a Shanghai audience, rendering a cavatina, by Clinton, on the flute in a very finished style. rs. Shorrock followed with "The Dear Home-lind," in her now well-known sympathetic style, which was enthusiastically encored. This number ended the frst part of the musical programme, after which refreshments were served.
The Rev. Dr. Hykes said—I have been asked by the Church Committee, and as its Chairman, to address a few words to you on this occasion, I am sorry that this duty was not assigned to some more able and -cloquent representative of the church, although I- feel highly. honoured in being "selected as the spokesman of the friends who have met here this evening, to show their esteem for you as Pastor and friend and to bid you "God speed " as you go out from amongst us. It has been my great Privilege to be connected. with Union church for more than four of the five years of your ministry. During the greater part of that time Those been the Chairmen of the Church Committee. This official rela-yn, together with the more i asso-jons have had with you as my Pastor and friend, have gi exceptional opportunities of kno un and your work. There is perhaps ore difticult pastorate, or one requiring greater tact, than that of a clinch like ours, in which many denominations and na-polities are represented. How well you have fulfilled your duties in such trying position is evidenesd by the fact that, although twenty-three different churches and no less than six distinct 8 are represented in the meu question of a theological or ecelesinstical character has been raised during the term of your ministry. Ba tists, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Quakers have listened to your pulpit utterances with profit and delight and found the Union Church " veritable spiritual home under your ministry. This is because you have pres common Word of calling have manifestly received the blessing of God. It would have rejoined "your heart to have heard, as I have during the past few days, from persons of widely divergent theological views, how your ministry las been blessed of God t" their spiritual up-building and refit. In looking over the church record find that 160 persons have signed it, and thus become members of the church, during the five years of your pastorate. But Iam aware that the results of religious work cannot be tabulated. There are many people—some residents of the ports, others from the far interior—who have from time to time had the privilege of hearing you preach the Gospel from the pulpit of Union Church; there are others, birds of who have, while tarrying for a few days in the city, heard the Truth from your lips and the Truth has made them free. I know that in the far-off home Innds there are men and women who devoutly thank God that they were led into the Union Church, Shanghai, The relations which, as Pastor of Union Church you have sustained to the missionary body, not only in Shanghai but throughout the Empire, have been such that your departure from China will be deeply regretted by all, irrespective of denomination, who have the pleasure of knowing you. We have found in you a sympathetic friend and a zealous supporter of the great work in which you are engaged and to' man we ate your friends. Asa member of the Shanghai Missionary Association and of the committees of the Evange-Yieal Alliance, the Britich and Foreign Bible Society, the Chinese tract Society, and the Society for the Diffusion of Christian and General Knowledge among the Chinese, you have done valuable service to the causes which these organisations represent. You have thus been able to show more than a passive interest in the various Societies which have as their object the enlightenment and Christianisation of the people among whom we dwell.' As Pastor and friend you have ever been ready with the needed word of counsel, encouragement, and sympathy." To some of us you have ministered in times of sorrow and bereavement and your tender sympathy and words of comfort can never be forgotten. It is not to be expected that you could. please all, but I believe you have the approval of Him you have served in your ministry, and also the supreme satisfaction of knowing that you have led not a few "to the great heart that throbs for all the world." You have, as a good citizen, identified yourself with every public' movement for the welfare of the community, and I am safe in saying that your fearless advocacy of the right has won for you the respect and admiration of many of your fellow-residents. The work you have done for the Seamen's Mission and as a member of the Committee of the Thomas Hanbury School and Children's Home has the grateful recognition of those who axe interested in thes: institutions. As Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Public School you have rendered invaluable service to the School and the community. Inow have the pleasure to hand you this envelope which contains an honorarium from the members of Union Church and congregation. It is accompanied by many expressions of kindly feeling and appreciation, and Tam sure that all who have contributed to it wish you every success and ing in the new field ty which, in the Providence of God, you may be called. I also have great satisfaction in handing you these resolutions passed at the meeting of the congregation which was called to consider your resignation of the Pastorate, Wo wish you a very delightful voyage and a happy reunion with your tunily, to whom send our kindest greetings. I trust that our paths which now diverge will sometime touch Of one thing we ave sure—we shall one day meet in that World where there are no more partings. (Applause.)
Mr. C. Thorne—Dr. Stevens, we have heard with very much pleasure the address which has just been delivered to you by our esteemed friend, Dr. Hykes. He has told you how much your services have been appreciated in the Union Church and how you have drawn together all classes of nen and all sects of religion, Lam now standing here as the representa tive of a few friends who are not connected with Union Church, but who have been friends of yours during the last four or you huve done, and would thorelore like five years aid who thoroughly appreciate all
present to you some little token of that appreciation. We have heard how you have associated yourself with many of our local institutions. I can bear testimony to one;—namely, that of the Thomas Hanbury School, where your counsel has frequently been of great service tous. But Imay say that not only those of your own religion but those who are of whit we may consider outside religions, have so appreciated what you have-done for them that they desire to express to you the regret they feel that you are leaving. For they have felt that in you they had a friend to whom they could go and receive the best advice and from whom they were certain of a welcome; and they knew that you would do all in your power to relieve any necessity they might be suffering from. We know that your hand has been held forth in support of not only members of your own but of other congregation. When you know that amongst those who. have subscribed to this little token we have the mames of Messrs. Moore, Moses, Hamilton, and Lalcaca, and others like them, you' will understand that, although not' of your religion there are men who appreciate you as a man anda true friend. In fact, by your actions, Dr. Stevens, you have taught them the advantages of the Christian religion when it is so thoroughly carried out that it teaches us to treat each man as a brother, however much he may differ from us, a8 a child of God! We have enjoyed' your friendship for a long time past, and I can appreciate most thoroughly, and all who have known yowalso appreciate the manner in which you have at all times, even in private conversation, endeavoured to set before us the great truths of eternity. We do most heartily wish' you a very pleasant voyage home, anda happy meeting with your wife and children. We know how
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.