ST. JAMES' PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 202, 27 August 1896, Page 2

ST. JAMES' PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual re-union of the congregation of St. James's Presbyterian Church was held last night in Sb. James' Hall, Wolling-ton-sueeb. At 6.30 a tea was served up, the tables being presided over by Moadames Macnicol, McKay. Walton, Nairn, Ramsay, Browa and Clarkson. There were also two other tables presided over as follows : — Christian Endeavour table : Misses Mercer, Bruce, Cricket, McNab. Bachelors table: Misses Swift, Williams, Smythe, Anderson. The public meeting wascommenced shortly before eight o'clock, the Rev. R, F. Macnicol presiding. On the platform were seated the Revs. G. B. Monro and R. Sommerville and Mr Brakenrig. A strong choir and orchestra were present under Mr R. Walton, Mias M. Reid presiding at tho piano. After hymn 198 had been sung, bhe Chairman made some opening remarks. In feeling terms ho referred to the deabh of Mr B. McKerras, late elder of the church. Ho also spoke of the illness of Mr Thomas Macky, the father of the congregation. With thoughts of these two brothers in his mind he said ib was with mingled feelings of sadness and pleasure that he presided that evening. The Chairman referred bo his 27 years' connection with the church, and also spoke of bhe pleasant relations which existed in bhe church, and he was pleased to see so many former members of the church present. He spoke of the progress of Christianity, and said that it never had more vitaliby than at present. The following programme was then gone through :— 11 Song.of the Hop-pickers," choir ; recitation, "Becalmed." Mr Wm. Brown (encored); "Assembly March," orchestra; song, " The Last Muster," Mr Higgott; trio, "The May Fly," Miss Mercer, Mrs Edwards, and Mr Lees ; chorus, "To the Tap of the Drum," choir ; gavotte, " Orynthia," orcheßtra; song, "Sunshine and Shadow," Mr W. Asbley (encored); dueb, " Memories of Hope," Misses Ramsay and Falls; chorus, "Daughters of Albion," choir; song, "TheLoabChord,"MrS. Clarke Johnson; march, " Melbourne," orchestra, Ab an inberval Mrs Ramsay presented to Mr Macnicol, on behalf of the ladies of the congregation, a pulpit gown, and hold it while the reverend gentleman pub ib on. Mr Macnicol reburned thanks in a feeling manner, and referred to the tokens of goodwill be had received from the congregabion. Mrs Macnicol was also presented with a tea service and vase. The gown was Bupplied by Mr M. Murchie. The Rqvs. Sommerville and Monro also gave short addresses. Ab the close, Mr Entrican moved a vote of thankß to all who bad assisted to make the social a success. This was carried by acclamation.