DEVONPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 159, 7 July 1899, Page 6

DEVONPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The anniversary services of the Devonport Presbyterian Church have concluded in connection with the minister's third anniversary. On Sunday last despite the rough weather the church was filled at all services, and in the evening- the audience simply packed the building-. The Rev. J. G. Paterson, of Hawke's Bay, preached morning- and evening-. In the afternoon the Rev. J. Idriayn Jones conducted a children's service. On Wednesday evening- the annual soiree was held. The tea tables were donated and presided ever by Mesdames Ferg-uson, Adams, Hannan. Leek, Mitchell, Lees, McKay, Maekay, Roberts, C'ardno, Ker, Gardner, Murchie, Keals, Watt and Jofcnaton, and Misses Webster, Chapman, Sibbin and McKay. The church was crowded at the after meeting-. The Rev. R. Ferguson thanked the congregation for another year of unvarying kindness, sympathy and support, and spoke of the steady progress of the cause all through the preceding twelve months. He also referred to the beautiful, manse now rapidly nearing completion. The Rev. J. G. Paterson gave a characteristic address on "The Courtship of Miss Mercy and Mr Brisk." Mr George Fowlds, representing the New Zealand Congregational Union, of which he is president, also spoke well and forcefully on church life and work. A capital programme was contributed by Mr Lees and his choir, also Mrs Ferguson, Misses Edson, Best and Stevenson, and Messrs Armstrong, Palariet, Aspinall, Dacre, Cardno and Tudehope. Votes of thanks to all concerned were carried by acclamation. The proceedings concluded by the Rev, Mr Paterson pronouncing the Benediction, thus bringing- co a close one oi the most successful and happy anniversary celebrations in the history of the congregation. The collections and tickets realised, it is said, over £30. A bus load of friends attended from Lake TakapuJna, In Devonport Presbyterian Church on Thursday the Sabbath Schoolchildren held their annual tea-meeting-and entertainment. The tea-tables were, as expected, crowded by bright companies of boys and girls. Rev. Robt. Ferguson presided over the aftermeeting. The programme was a long and interesting one. Mr Brakenrig, of the V.M.C.A., gave a fine lecture on "Gordon —the Christian Hero," which was illustrated by beautiful limelig-ht views. Thereafter songs, recitations, etc., were given by Misses Grey (2), Murdoch (2), Harp, Niccol, Cunningham, Towusend, Davis, Adams, Waldroiv (2), and Moua McKay, and Messrs Adams and Hynes. The gymnasium members gave two athletic displays, the girls xising the dumb-bells and the boys using the Indian clubs. Such numbers of children are now attending the school that the accommodation is taxed to its utmost and will soon be quite inadequate. Some enlargement of the schoolroom will soon be imperative.