The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-03-29 00:00:00

RECOGNITION OF THE REV. R.
WALKER.

On Sunday bud special sermons were preached to
crowded congregations by the Rev : O. Short, 8.A.. of
Salisbury, at the Baptist Chapel, Hill-street, in connec-
tion with the commencement of the ministry of the Rev.
R. Walker, who has been appointed to the pastorship of
the church. rendered vacant by the resignation of the
Rev. H. Osborne on account of increasing years. On
Monday there was a public tea in the schoolroom,
which was well attended, and in the evening the formal
recognition of the new minister took place in the chapel.
Mr. Walker ia a enniparaliVely young man, but we
understand he has been labouring with great success in
the north. He has n good delivery, excellent intonation,
and his phrasesi are well chosen and to the point.
Rev. J. If. Osborn ooeupied the chair, and there were
also present Rev. Dr. Tres:trail. ralstbli” of NerTorti
president of the Baptist Union, Rev. G. Short (Salis-
bury), Rev. J. Harrington (Boscombe), Rev. J.
Thotnpson (Cluistehunh). Rev. E. Evans, Rev. G. T.
Dixon, Rev. T. Wright (Poole), Rev. Jiunes (Yeovil).
A hymn having heen sung, and an appropriate prayer
offered up by the Rev. Mr. Jame,
The Chairman expressed his pleasure at seeing so
many II friends present. representing not only the
Baptist Church but almost all the eAmgregations and
church., in the town. The meeting he said was one of
a somewlutt 110V14 ,liaracter. for there had been but two
!meting+ of a similar kind since the four walls within
whieh they were assembled were erei•teiL The first was
the recognition of the Bev. S. Bulgin, who watehed
Over the people in that piney for no less a period than
4.1 years. Then he (the speaker) followed him. and
although his ministry had not been so long, for he was
not so young a man when lie took on, yet he luul been
there more than 27 years.(applause)—no small
portion out of a mean's life. Referring to his resignation
lie said he had partially lost his voice, and it was no
use for a man to stand up and speak unless he could be
heard. After much prayer, and very, very much
light. lie told (lie deacons he must resign. They begged
him again awl again to reconsider his determination,
and 110 did 2./. luta the result WAS he felt lw must retire.
With reference to Mr. Walker, he said he had been
~b.cied by almost it..' unanimous vote of the church,
11. n111,1.0'1,1 111,1111 hearing, and that was a good Sign.
Mr. 'Walker, In a shod but telling address, exi
his gemitude for kilidlll,l% he had met with since he
hail been in nsile. owl Ids *low of the solemn nature of
the work whieb lay Ishin•

Mr. todwin. One ofttldeneonK. then spoke, rind
exidained the eire 1111 l staneea under which Mr. Walker
111 been askol to take the ministry. and ratid lw hail
seen nothing as yet which at all led him to regret the
el .e they had made.
The Mayor (Mr. IL Curtis), who was among the
eongregation, was asked to say a few worda. In
response, lie nmiarked among the many things for
he was thallkilli was that 116 lot was east in a
town where Christians of all names and denominations
lived in the strides* harmony and the It good feeling
one towards another. (AppWow.) It nnuinded hint
how last time was passing away, whet, their esteemed

chairman brought to his rentembrunes that be wee
int at his recognition. He remembered it well. Me
had not forgotten the energy of McLeod, the Methodist
flre of Shores, and the *legumes of other speakers. It
was indeed a memorable time. It was also his happiness
for many year to know the late Mr. Bnlglu. He could
only express his deep sympathy with the Church. and
wish it prosperity and God speed. Might their new
pastor be spared for many years to break the bread of
life to the people luxe, and might the seed sown by him
be watered with the dews of heavenly grate. As to
Mr. Osborne, be hoped he might long continue in their
midst, and that his happy countenance and genial smile
might long be seen amongst them. (Applause.)
A lengthy and eloquent eharge was them given to the
newly-appointed minister by Dr. TrestraiL