At the close of the services Lady Stewart presented the newly-ordained minister with pulpit robes, cassock and bands, subscribed for by the ladies of the congregation, intimating that they were a token of the congregation's welcome to Ardwell and in remembrance of his call to a high and holy office. Lady Stewart then gracefully assisted Mr Barr to don the robes. In acknowledgment Mr Barr said he had to return very sincere and hearty thanks to the ladies of the congregation for the beautiful robes which expressed their kindly welcome to himself. It would be his earnest endeavour at all times to faithfully fulfill the duties of the high office to which he had been called.
A closing hymn having been sung, the benediction was pronounced and the congregation as they retired had an opportunity of shaking hands with their new minister.
At the invitation of Sir Mark and Lady Stewart luncheon was provided in the commodious coach-house at Ardwell. Preparations were made for 170 guests but owing to the severity of the weather only about 120 ladies and gentlemen were present. The tables were prettily decorated with pot plants and cut hothouse blooms, while the purveying, which was entrusted to Mrs Shaw, Downshire Arms Hotel Stranraer, gave the utmost satisfaction. All the arrangements were under the supervision of Mrs Shaw, who had the assistance of a large and efficient staff. Sir Mark J.M'T Stewart presided, and was supported right and left by Dr Theodore Marshall and Rev Mr Barr. Among the others present were Lady M'T.Stewart and the Misses Stewart, Mrs McDouall of Logan, and Mr Robert Stewart of Culgruff.
After luncheon, the Chairman offered a hearty welcome to all on behalf of Lady Stewart and himself, and also on behalf of Mrs Ommanney M'Taggart, who was unable to be with them in person, but was with them in spirit in all the proceedings of that day. They thought it a very important occasion, and it had been very gratifying to them that in spite of the somewhat severe weather so many friends had turned out. They had to thank especially those comparative strangers who had come from a great distance, many of doubtless at great personal inconvenience and at some peril to their health.
The Chairman then gave the loyal toasts, which were warmly pledged.
The Chairman next proposed the health of the newly-ordained minister, the Rev Mr Barr. They trusted, he said, that they had been guided and directed in their choice of a pastor by something higher than mere sentiment or fancy. They had endeavoured to choose one who, they believed, would be the choice of their people. As they knew, they had asked that day all those who were paying rent on the estate to be present. Of course the bad morning had prevented many from coming, but they wanted to feel on that occasion that they were one family, that they had all interests in common, and that though they did not necessarily worship all at one church, yet they could all show to each other that Christian sympathy and that fellow feeling which made them one, although in other senses they might be somewhat separate. They had been animated by a desire to select one who would be the choice of their friends and neighbours. He thought they would find in Mr Barr one who was really capable. From all the testimonials that he had received, and from all the accounts and private letters which he had got, he was satisfied that they had been guided in their choice, and at all events they had acted to the best of their judgment and discrimination. He thought that they would find Mr Barr's distinguishing character his conscientious. He believed that he would faithfully discharge his duties, but that, of course, time alone would show. He trusted, however, that Mr Barr would consider that it was not only careful preparation for the pulpit that was necessary - though that in itself was important - to give to the congregation that food most suitable and convenient for them from the highest possible point of view. Mr Barr would remember, he was satisfied, that the mine from which he was digging was a very deep one, and that the deeper he went the richer the ore would become. It afforded food for the simplest capacity as well as the most brilliant, so that none need go empty away from his ministrations. He would suggest that the minister's best work was very often not in his preaching power: not in the address he gave, however valuable these might be; that he must also remember that strength and blessing in Christ's work could only come from a heart united in prayer to Christ. Power to do to help their minister.
The toast was heartily honoured.
Sir Mark concluded by exhorting the congregation to pray for their minister, and impressing upon them how much they had it in their power to do to help their minister.
The toast was heartily honoured.
Rev Mr Barr, in reply, said it was with very considerable diffidence that he rose to speak. After the solemn ceremony that he had gone through he thought they would all understand and sympathise with his diffidence. The young knight, after his long vigil by the arms he was destined to wear, and just risen to his feet at the touch of the royal sword newly lifted from his shoulder, would not be inclined to say much after that solemn service. If he realised all that was involved in that great order of chivalry into which he had been received, his thoughts would be pure and his aspirations high - his thoughts too deep for words and his aspirations too high to be capable of expression in ordinary speech. And so he (Mr Barr) felt himself then to be incapable of expressing all that he would like to say, and he thought the best and wisest thing he could do was to reverently turn over in his mind the wise admonitions that had been given to him both in the church and then from Sir Mark Stewart. He assured them that what had passed that day had not been received by him in any light or thoughtless spirit, but that he realised all that it had meant, so far as it was possible for him to realise it by the solemn ordination to the holy ministry. He should just like to say this, however. When one was coming into a new sphere there were two thoughts that naturally suggested themselves. What were the kind of people that he was going to labour amongst and what capacities for usefulness the sphere offered. He had laboured as assistant minister in a more populas district that this. He had been for fully a year in Glasgow, and before that in a country town partly industrial and partly residential, not far from Glasgow. Coming down here he naturally came into a different field, yet perhaps his usefulness might in some respects be greater. It was out of districts like this that the energy and the strength of our nation came. He had met a great many Galloway people in Glasgow, men who were making their mark, and he need not tell them that Galloway men were to be found at the forefront throughout the length and breadth of our land, and perhaps throughout the world. (Applause) A minister in a district like this had opportunities for influencing and guiding the young, and far reaching opportunities for usefulness, indeed. Then in regard to the kind of people he was to labour among, and the reception he was likely to meet that day, was an evidence of it, and the fact that at the head of this parish there were two like Sir Mark and Lady McTaggart Stewart, whose lives head been marked by great usefulness, and who had been devoted not merely to the temporal interests of the community, but above all things, to the spiritual interests of the people among whom they lived, was a great strength and encouragement to him. (Applause). He need not dwell upon the cordiality and heartiness of the Galloway people as a whole. It was therefore, with every encouragement that he began his ministry among them, and they might rest assured that with him it would be a praying ministry, and that he would always seek first and foremost that strength which could come alone from the Master of us all, the head of the Church of Christ (Applause).
Mr Robert Stewart, in a racy and humorous speech, proposed The Church of Scotland
Dr Theodore Marshall, in the course of his speech, said this was a day of very great interest to the Church of Scotland. Within the last hour or two there had been added to the Church of Scotland one of the most beautiful of its buildings and they had added to their ministry, one who, judging from what he had heard about him, was likely to be one of its ...?... a pride and glory, and a useful asset (Applause). Dr Marshall alluded to the liberality of Mrs Omnanney McTaggart, Sir Mark and Lady McTaggart, in providing the new church. They welcomed such liberality , and as the church was able more and more to make full use and adequate provision for all its sons and daughters, so the Church of Scotland would prosper and grow strong (Applause).
Dr Marshall proposed The Presbytery of Stranraer
in an interesting speech, and the Rev W M Johnston, Sheuchan, replied.
Mr James A Whyte, Kirkmabreck, gave Mrs Ommanney McTaggart and Sir Mark and Lady Sir Mark McTaggart Stewart said he could only repeat that Mrs Ommanney McTaggart, though absent in person, was with them in spirit, and only physical inability prevented her meeting her friends that day. No one took a keener interest in the welfare of those connected with the estate, and no one was more pleased to hear of their well doing. It had been a source of great pleasure to him to live to see the erection completed of this beautiful church.
It was a dream he had long entertained because he thought it would conduce to the welfare and to the good of the community in the far end of the parish of Stoneykirk, who were such a distance away from the parish church (Applause).
The Rev F Williamson, Ballantrae, proposed Other Denominations
, and the Rev G P Robertson, Sandhead, and the Rev F Guttridge, Logan, replied.
The company then separated.
Before leaving, those who had to travel were entertained to tea at Ardwell House by Lady Stewart.