"CROTCHETY GRUMBLERS."

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 214, 9 September 1891, Page 5

"CROTCHETY GRUMBLERS."

The Rev. E. A. Telfer, who arrived from London via the South on Sunday last, gave an interesting lecture last night at the Franklin Road Primitire Methodist Church. He chose for his subject, "Crotchety Grumblers in and out of Zion." Mr Thomas Maynard presided and briefly introduced the lecturer. The reverend gentleman kept his audience in laughter for an hour and a-half. He told the audienco of the grumblers in churches who grumbled whatever you did for them, and stated that in the old country there are a class (the fair sex usually) who are ever gossiping with- their neighbours, and in this way a scandal arises about some innocent person. In this new country they had nob yet learned this sorb of thing, and he hoped they never would. The reverend gentleman went on to deal with the back-biting grumbler,- and the jealous grumbler, who never likes to see his brother prospering in his business or vocation, and he concluded by urging his hearers to be charitable to each other, and asked God to .save them from lying and slanderous tongues. Telfer lectures to night in the Alexandra-street Primitive Mebhodisb Church on "Droll Men and Their Merry Ways." He returns to England via America on Saturday next, leaving in the mail steamer Monowai.

A pleasant evening was spent yesterday at St. Alban's Church, when a presentation was made by the Rev. Mr Sprott to the late organist, Mr Bruce. The gift consisted of a handsome table tastefully inlaid with New Zealand fancy woods. Mr Sprott referred to the importance of good music in churches, and Mr F. G. Etrington also spoke in a similar strain later on. The following programme was gone through : -r- Piano eolo, Mre MeKinstry : song, " David Singing Before Saul," Mr Edmonds; duet, "Children's Home," Misses Evans; song, "Hβ Wipes the Tear From Every Eye," Mr Barker; song, "Th-i Gate of Heaven," Mies Dickson; song, " The Lost Chord," Mrs Eady; reading, Mr Boak ; song, " Remember Thy Creator," Mr McGregor ; song, "Ora Pro Nobis," Mr Warren. Songs were also contributed by Miss Walker and Mr White. At the conclusion of the programme those present adjourned to the adjacent schoolroom, where refreshments were provided.