The induction of Rev John L Goldby to the charge of the Larne Congregation took place on the evening of 16 August 2011. As our own Larne church building would not be able to accommodate the number of people expected to be present, it was arranged that the induction would take place in the nearby Larne and Inver Parish Church Hall, which the minister had kindly made available. In the event over 60 people attended, the majority of whom were from other denominations in the province, and their presence was much appreciated.
The Southern Presbytery first met in our own Station Road church, where it was constituted, the Moderator, Rev Roderick MacLeod, Glasgow, presiding. In the much-regretted absence, through illness, of the Clerk, Rev Hugh M Cartwright, Rev John MacLeod was appointed Clerk pro tem. It was then reported that the relevant Edict had been read to the congregation and that it had been returned duly attested.
The Presbytery then moved to an ante-room of the Hall. Mr Alasdair M MacPherson, on being appointed the Officer of Court, was instructed to proceed to the main door of the Hall, where he read three times the usual proclamation that if any present had any objection to the induction proceeding, an opportunity was now given to do so before the Court. There being no objections, the Presbytery resolved to proceed. The Moderator then conducted public worship, preaching an appropriate discourse on the words, “They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this”. In particular he focused on the words, “That He hath done this”, drawing attention to the sufferings of the Saviour and the fullness and freeness of the salvation wrought by Him.
Public worship being ended, it was agreed that any ministers or elders present from other congregations of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland would be associated with the Presbytery. Rev George Hutton and Mr Roderick Campbell then joined the Court.
A narrative of the proceedings taken in connection with the Call was then read, and thereafter the Moderator addressed to Mr Goldby the questions appointed to be put to ministers on their admission to a pastoral charge. Satisfactory answers being returned, the Formula was read and Mr Goldby signed it in the presence of the congregation. This being done, the Moderator engaged in prayer and, thereafter, in the name of the Presbytery and by the authority of the divine Head of the Church, admitted Rev John L Goldby to the charge of the Larne Congregation, in token of which he gave to him the right hand of fellowship, as did all the other members of the Presbytery in turn. Rev John MacLeod addressed the newly-inducted minister and also (in the absence of Rev H M Cartwright) the congregation. Rev George G Hutton spoke briefly of his past association with the people in Larne and conveyed the good wishes of the Northern Presbytery both to Mr Goldby and the congregation. Messages conveying the good wishes of Mr Cartwright and several other ministers were then read. The Moderator concluded the meeting by pronouncing the Benediction.
The ladies of the Larne Congregation had excelled themselves in preparing a sumptuous feast of good things laid out on tables at the back of the hall, and all present did justice to the provision. A great debt of gratitude is owed to them for their labour of love.
We hope and pray that the ministry newly begun in Larne will be a fruitful one and that Mr Goldby will be sustained in health of body and mind to serve his Master in this part of the United Kingdom for many years to come.
(Rev) John MacLeod