ST. DAVID'S CHURCH

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 231, 30 September 1935, Page 9

ST. DAVID'S CHURCH

70TH ANNIVERSARY. WEEK-END CELEBRATIONS. SERMON BY DR. J. DICKIE. The celebration of the 70th anniversary of St David's Presbyterian Church was continued during the week-end, when a social reunion and special Sunday services wer.o held. The position of the Presbyterian Church 70 years ago in New Zealand was referred to by the Rev. Dr J. Dickie, moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, at the evening service. Paying a tribute to the pioneers he suggested a number of interesting comparisons between the past and the present. The yearning of the pioneers for an opportunity to worship their fathers' God in the manner in which they liad been accustomed in their beloved home land was bound up with their homesickness. They would sing the Lord's songs in New Zealand as they had been wont to sing them in Scotland and in Northern Ireland. Dr. Dickie said that probably the pioneers were superior in grit and determination, but almost certainly the present ministry were superior to them in the gentler graces of life. In the greater ease and comfort of the present day there was a temptation to take the duties of citizenship too easily. No church could live, declared the speaker, unless it proclaimed in all its fullness and freedom the one eternal Gospel that there was none other name known among men whereby we must be saved, save the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Rev. Bower Black conducted the morning service and took for his sermon, "For heights achieved God gives us further peaks to climb." In the course of the service a carved and ornamental pulpit chair, presented to the church by Miss S. Robertson, was dedicated. The historic symbol of the burning bush is carved in the woodwork and the carved tops are of oak, probably at least 1000 years old, taken from the roof of the Glasgow Cathedral. A social gathering on Saturday evening was attended by over 200 ]>ast and present Bible class members and Sunday School workers. In the earlier part of the evening community singing, musical items, recitations and competitions were enjoyed. Afterwards an adjournment was made to the St. David's hall, where toasts of "The Church" and of "Past Members" were duly honoured. Mr. Black presided, and a message of congratulation and encouragement was given by Dr. Dickie.