Farewell to Private A. S. (Stanley) McLachlan
On Thursday afternoon, November 23, the Free Presbyterian Manse, Fry-street, Grafton, was the meeting place of a large number of friends, who assembled to bid farewell to the late church secretary, Private A. Stanley McLachlan, who sales for Egypt next Tuesday. The meeting was large and enthusiastic, almost every family being present.
Mr. J. W. Stewart occupied the chair, and after briefly stating the object of meeting, apologised for the absence of their pastor, Rev. H. Ramsay, and read a letter from the same gentleman conveying his prayerful wishes for the welfare of their Christian friend, Mr. McLachlan. The chairman also apologised for the absence of Mr. N. McLeod, and stated that Mr. M. C. Ramsay, in the absence of his brother, would conduct the devotional portion of the proceedings. A Psalm was sung and the meeting was led in prayer by Mr. Ramsay, who also commented upon a portion of the 37th Psalm. The devotional exercises ended with prayer and the singing of the 121st Psalm.
The chairman then stated that he had the distinguished honour of presenting, on behalf of the congregation, tokens of esteem to Mr. McLachlan. One thing he was certain of, Mr. McLachlan would do his duty and do us honour. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing his dear old father and mother would not wonder that Stanley was such a fine gentleman. He trusted that God would sustain them in this great wrench from them of their son in their old age. Their guest had always willingly done the lion’s share of church work, and his place could not be filled.
Mr. D. Anderson, Elder (Lower Southgate), thanked the chairman for the courtesy which allowed him to be present, and added that he endorsed their guest’s action in volunteering, as men of marked Christian character were badly needed in the forces. Despite the many hardships consequent upon the leaving of a happy home for service abroad, he believed that the Lord would undertake for Mr. McLachlan, and keep him in all His ways.
Mr. Reid emphasised the fact that their friend was going away with the earnest prayers of Christian friends, and in regard to their guest they strongly entertained the Christian hope. This, said the speaker, should be a great comfort to his aged parents.
Mr. McDonald said that he felt sure Mr. McLachlan, on the field of battle, would do honour to his country and to his home.
Mr. M. C. Ramsay endorsed what had been said and reiterated the statement that Mr. McLachlan’s family and friends could hopefully and cheerfully bid him good-bye, as he, a Christian young man, went forth in the name of the Lord, and the Lord would never forsake his own.
A valuable gold watch, with luminous face, was then buckled on the guest’s wrist by his aged mother. This watch, together with a fountain pen and smoker’s outfit, constituted the tokens of esteem presented to Private A. S. McLachlan, by the Free Presbyterian congregation.
Mr. McLachlan feelingly and briefly responded, beseeching the interest in his friends’ prayers.
Mr. John McLachlan also thanked assembled friends on behalf of his brother.
Refreshments were then handed round, and an enjoyable hour or two spent, after which thanks to the ladies and the chairman followed by the singing of a stanza of the National Anthem, and the pronouncing of the Benediction, brought a profitable and pleasant meeting to a close. - The Daily Examiner, Grafton, issue dated Friday November 24, 1916.
