Rakaia Presbyterian Church.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2534, 3 October 1890, Page 2

Rakaia Presbyterian Church.

ANNUAL TEA MEETING.

The annual gathering m connection with the Presbyterian Church at Rakaia took place m the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Fears on the score of weather were removed, the showers m the afternoon being only slight, and as friends turned up from Doric, Penckrves, Phcrtsey, and Laurisfcon the districts appear to have, been better represented than ever before. The consequence was that one of the largest gatherings took place that had been seen m the hall. There was a very busy scone at tea time. Tlw bibles were groan-, ing with good things, .md appeared very attractive. They were provided and pre- ■ sided over—l. by Mrs Gardner, assisted j by the Misses Gardner (2), Mrs Cromie, assifited by Miss Wilson. II Mrs T. McDowell, assisted by Mrs Scarlett and Mrs Doig, assisted by Misses Doig (2). ' 111. Mrs Riddle, assisted by Miss Bilton,;. and Mrs B. Blackburn, assisted by Miss Lewis. IV. Mesdamos .Stevenson, Sban-< non, and Bruce, assisted by the Misses [ Brnco (2). Tea being over, the public meeting thus proceeded with', nnd there appeared on the platform a choir from Lauriston, led by Mr W..). Smith. They acquitted themselves well, and "greatly enhanced the pleasure of the evening by their true and hearty sinjrinEf. Tho pieces .selected were choicel,.and were as follows : —" Bolshazzar's Feast," ''How Beautiful," "Softly down the Valley," "Praise the Lord," " 0 City r.f the Jasper Wall," "Blessed Bible," "Firmly .Stand." and as a concluding piece *' Children of the Heavenly Kin« " —Sankey, 502. Miss. Johnston presided at the harmonium. Miss Roe gave as a solo, "When sore afflictions crush tho soul,' 1 and sang feelingly, jukl m excellent taste. She was. accompanied on the piano by Miss Bruce. Miss R. Bruce sang "Rocked m the cradle of the deep," her sister playing the accompaniment, and whs recalled. The first speaker was Mr Armstrong, who expressed his good wishes for pastor and people. He was succeeded by the Rev A. M. Beattie, who spoke on "Taste."' The Rev A. Blake addressed the meeting on " Hoy to Know a Christian," and was followed by the Rev W. West, who gave some reminiscences of former visits to Rakaia, and his experience on the West Coast. The Rev D. Rodger (Cust), who had conducted the anniversary services on the Sabbath, addressed severally the girls and the boys. All the speakers congratulated the Chairman, the Rev P. J. Riddle, on the prosperous state of the congregation, and some of them made special reference to a good work going on m the surrounding districts. Mr T.. McDowell, Chertsey, m moving a vote of thanks to the speakers, Baid he had never heard better addresses. He also moved a vote of thanks to the choir. In conveying the latter the Chairman desired especially to thank the Laurigtoh friends for the assistance they had' rendered. Rev, P. Rodger moved a vpte of thanks to the Indies who had provided the tables, and m this connection Mr Riddle wished especially to thank Mr. Hardy for acts of kindness m this and former years. A most orderly and successful meeting was brought to a close with the, benediction.