Albert Kent Langridge [1857-1938] & Frank H.L. Paton, John G. Paton. Later Years and Farewell

Page 195

THE LAST VISIT TO BRITAIN

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confidently left the future maintenance of their part of the Mission. It was a message long to be remembered, and as the friends quietly and reluctantly withdrew, the Missionary stood at the door, and shook hands and said a parting word of gratitude and blessing ~ ~~yooe. . The audience changed in the evening, but the same spirit pervaded the meeting. :With much diffidence the Missionary's brother consented to preside. No other selection could have been so happy and fitting. Between four and five thousand people attended the two public Farewell Meetings on the 5th of June in the Exeter Large Hall. Sir Mark J. Stewart, Bart., M .P ., had, with true kindness, travelled specially up from Scotland to preside at the afternoon meeting, and Mr. Frank Spence had taken the trouble to come up from Manchester to preside at the evening meeting. The predominant note that sounded through the proceedings was one rather of triumph than gloom. The Missionary's heart was full of joy. He admitted that he was leaving with far firmer hope and gladness than when he took farewell of Britain seven years ago. He felt that his work was accomplished. All now rested, under God, with his helpers and friends at home. He had proved them worthy of absolute confidence, and he therefore left all in their hands. The momentary pang of parting was swallowed up in his triumphant confidence in the Great Cause. He expressed, as his last word, his undying adhesion to the Grand Old Covenanting Truths of the Scripture, and added his deep and certaig conJolvn G. Patan. 13


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