ORDINATION OF THE REV. EDWIN MIDWINTER
Last evening a very interesting and impressive service was held at the Congregational Chapel on the occasion of the ordination of Mr. Edwin Midwinter, as a missionary to India, in connection with the London Missionary Society. There was a large congregation. The service commenced with singing, and reading the 26th chapter of Acts. and prayer by the Rev. Jones, of Devizes, a fellow student of Mr. Midwinter. The Rev. E. Porter, who formerly was a missionary to Cuddapih, India, gave a sketch of the field of labour where Mr Midwinter was to be stationed. The town to which he was appointed was Vizianagram, about 20 miles from Vizingapatam, which contained about 25.000 inhabitants. The present Rajah was an intelligent man who to some extent, encouraged English not Christian education, and who supported a caste girls school of about 200 girls, conducted by nuns, and a hospital. Mr. Porter concluded by giving some practical directions respecting the care of the missionary's health.
A series of questions was put to Mr. Midwinter by the Rev. E Jones, one of the secretaries of the London Missionary Society. The rev. gentleman began by expressing the perfect confidence entertained towards him by the directors of the Society. In reply to the first question, What reason had he to consider himsrelf a Christian ?—Mr. Midwinter, in earnest and sincere terms, traced his religious experience. The next question enquired, why he desired to devote himself to missionary work? In reply, Mr. Midwinter spoke of the interest which when a boy he felt in tales of missionary enterprise which in later years deepened into an earnest desire to preach Christ to the heathen. Mr. Jones then enquired into his belief in Christian doctrine and the concluding question referred to the manner in which he proposed to labour among the heathen. This portion of the service was deeply interesting, and was listened to with sympathizing emotion by the congregation.
The Rev. E W Shalders then offered the ordination prayer, which was couched in most appropriate, and at times pathetic terms, after which the congregation remained for some minutes in silent supplication. The charge to the newly-ordained missionary was then given by the Rev. C Wilson of Plymouth. As the motto for his address he selected the words of St. Paul, “ By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left” In a strain of affectionate counsel and faithful admonition he pointed out the aims he should keep in view, the Divine power which would support him, and the personal holiness which he should cultivate and cherish.—The service terminated shortly after nine. It was announced that Mr Midwinter would . preach there next Sunday evening, and would sail in the ensuing week. |
