WAIHOLA SOIREE.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 125, 30 August 1866, Page 5

WAIHOLA SOIREE.

The second Annual Congregational Soiree took place in the Church at Waihola on the evening of Tuesday, the 21st instant. This social meeting- seems to afford an object of very pleasurable anticipation to a large number of the settlers and residents in the neighborhood, judging from the larg-a numbers who were present with their families on this occasion, when the weather was the reverse of propitious, a considerable number of visitors from Milton were also present. We think there would be upwards of 200 who partook of the hospitality and kind attention ot the ladies-of Wsuholn, whose preparations were not only of an ample but recherche description. The children under the direction of Mr Douglas, their teacher, very prettily sung " Par fur away," when Mr Allan, Minister of the congregation, called upon the Rev. Mr Will to open the meeting with prayer. While the tables were bein^- removed, an interval of twenty minutes elapsed, after which the Choir sung the Old Hundredth The Chairman rose and said, he felt very grateful and deeply moved by the kind manner of his friends and of those brethren who had so cheerfully responded to his invitation, some of them had come from considerable distances, and although his friend Mr Stuart, of Dunedin, was necessarily absent in bodj', yet he was quite sure he was with them in spirit; he also regretted the absence of Mr Gillies and Dr. Copland. He felt in very high spirits that night, but whether arising from youth or old age he would not say — he said he felt more assurance abroad than at home, and and did not know what to set before them ; last 3'ear he had furnished them with a dish of '• hotch potch," but he mennt to be very fatherly on this occasion, and would assume the "title of " pater familias " for in many respects there was a close analogy between the Minister of a congregation and the domestic circle, and in the point of money matters there was a striking resemblance. He thought their position as Church in regard to this important consideration was very much like that contained in the prayer of Agur — " givej-me neither poverty "nor riches." They had certainly a small item of debt on the Church, but he would ask who w<xs without this in the colony ? Their condition socially he considered was pretty well, they worked harmoniously together, and [" did not fall out by the way." At one time he thought of Waihola with indifference, but this was now replaced by an intensity of interest in its welfare, which the longer he occupied the position of Minister would become strengthened, and the tie closer between the flock and his heart. As for their condition morally and spiritually, he was unable and unwilling to speak too favorably, the secrets of the heart being known to God only; but still ho thought the good work had progressed, and although in some things we may be "rusty," seeing things going on that grieve us, yet he believed that there were not a few who were preparing for a brighter and nobler being. The Rev. Chairman concluded by remarking that although the cold was severe outside, yet he fancied that there w.is sufficient caloric within, to be found to keep them comfortable. The Rev. Mr Todd said he was plensed to see so many friends from Milton, which exhibited a reciprocal interest very pleasant and proper. In coming along towards Waihola that evening, everythinglooked so cold and desolate, thatit reminded him of a picture he had seen in the Exhibition, representing the pursuit of knowledge under difficulties, and he thought their being present there, was the pursuit of pleasure under very adverse circumstances, but trusted that their pleasure would be in proportion to the exercise of self denial. He wished that evening to say a few words on "Division of Labor," This age was essentially one of progress in science, arts, commerce, and means of communication, realizing the words of Daniel — " Men shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase upon the earth." The signs of progress in the Church were never so largely manifested since the Christian era as at the present time, for the knowledge of the gospel of peace was being spread over all the earth, and she may be said to "lengthen her cords and strengthen her stakes." Whether yon look at her gigantic efforts at home, to reclaim the outcasts of society among themselves, by means of out-door preachings, and other agencies, or the exertions in such countries as Italy, France, or to the Jews, or Mahomedan countries — such a& Turkey, Egypt, &c, and to such nations as India, China, Africa, &c, this was apparent ; considering what had been done already, we ought, like Paul, thank God and take courage for the future. He then pointed out what great reason Ota go had for thankfulness, for by the spread of education, &c, a leavening p; oce3s for good was going on ; but if this was so, there was a progress in evil going on to such a degree, that it appeared to him like a preparing for a conflict; to ovei-come the prevalence of rationalism and of infidelity, assuming the form of complete indifference to the best interest of their souls was evidently the great work of the Church; there was required for this purpose something more than the work of ministers as their leaders — the co-operation of Christians was needed' — there was room for all by adopting the system of division of labor, for as Wesley replied to the enquiry as to the cause of his success, " all at it, and always at it," he urged therefore upon them the duty of trying to spread the gospel of Christ. The benefits derived from this principle in ordinary life were well known, and no perfection could be obtained without its being followed, which was illustrated in various ways by the speaker, who proceeded to enforce its applicability to the Church ; pointing to Nehemiah as a bright example of what was accomplished in the

re-building of the city of Jerusalem — quoting a saying of Matthew Henry — " If every man sweeps in front of his own door, the street will be clean" — so in like manner ought Christians to live, seeking first their own salvation and then that of those around them. He related an anecdote of a shoe-black boy, proving that even in his humble capacity, what good could be done by a word in season, and several other striking anecdotes. The Rev. gentleman concluded his eminently practical . speech, by calling upon all to enlisc in the army of Christ as private soldiers, and not foolishly expect the battle against evil, to be gained by the officers alone — the Ministers. The Ilev. Mr Kirkland said, he had made up his mind to attend the soiree that night, whatever the weather had been, considering it to be his duty. The presence of such a muster of ladies there, had fixed his choice of a subject; the influence which women executed on society socially, morally and spiritually. The great power which the woman of Samaria displayed in inducing such numbers of men to come out of the city to see the man who had told her all that she had ever done, was most certainly due to the powers of persuasion, ever exhibited by a woman when deeply interested. The Church had been too apt to imagine that the influence of women was more ideal than real, but this was not so ; for himself, he could saj r that he derived i?:ore pleasure and knowledge from intercourse with a really christian lady than from that of many men. If women were but all Christians might we not anticipate the Church to be soon triumphant against the powers of evil. They had, unfortunately a great power for evil also, as was well known : there wore two spheres in which their influence was most marked, the family circle and upon society ; the mother stood in some respects to the child as the seal to the wax ; from her, the child received its most abiding impressions; how careful, therefore, jhould mothers be in their mode ol life to use such God-given talents in directing them to a life of godliness, for in his opinion no more melancholy and cheerless sight could be, than of a mother having the nurture ot children without the fear of God before her. The Rev. genjleman beautifully i!Justrated the analogy which the family circle had to the solar system, and the necessity which a mother lay under of regularly praying for grace to sustain and direct her in her all important duty of bringing- up her children in the " nurture and admonition of the Lord." He then feelingly pointed to the fact, that however a man might be depraved, no man was ever known to speak disrespectful of his mother. The influence they had upon society although not so apparent, was none the less real, if' their wives were to put a veto against hypocrisy, apathy, and formality, how soon would all be changed ; or against practical evils, as horse racing, it would soon cease — or theatre going, it would die a natural death, etc. — if such their power, how great their responsibility, God doubtless, looked for great returns. The Ilev. speaker concluded by an eloquent exhortation to those ladies present, to be up and doing in fulfilling their great mission. Part of a Psalm was now sung. Mr Sinclair rose and said, that in his enrly days there were no missions to the Jews, but rejoiced in their success ; he referred to the early days of Otago, when there were few ministers, and the sorrow he felt at being only privileged to hear the •••ospel once a month, but now they heard it every week, therefore they had great reason for thankfulness ; and although they might never in his day, be able to send missionaries from Otago, yet they could all unite in the good work of strengthening the hands of missionaries by constant prayer. He thanked his friends from Milton and the district for coming there that night, which manifested the good spirit of returning good for evil, as the people of 'Waihola had not gone to the soiree lately held at Milton. Mr Church of the ' Bruce Herald' said a few words in reference to the great influence of the press, and although only connected with that portion which might be said, at the present time to be more negative, than positive in the promotion of the cause of the Church, yet he should always endeavour to use such influence in favor of the good cause : he read a short anecdote, as illustrative of the effects of the poems of Burns. The Rev. Mr Watt, Green Island, proposed to read three sonnets, and to give a sketch of those incidents in history, which occasioned their being composed. Pie very graphically described the persecution of the Waldenses, and as the result, the means which they pursued to spread the knowledge of the word of God. He then read the sonnet, of Mrs Hemans, 'The Vaudois Mountaineer,' — in reference to the brave resistance made against their oppressors. The famed piece -by Milton — was then read. The Rev. gentleman lucidly and at great length described the various efforts made by popish countries to suppress the truth, but it would ultimately prevail, symptoms were now being seen of a complete change, for there was established even in Florence by the Waldenses — a college for the dissemination of the word of God, and the news received from home, all pointed to the fact — that popery was about to be destroyed. The Rev. Mr Will, spoke very energetically against those amusements so generally engaged in, which were sinful, useless, and detrimental to the best interests of society. He entered very largely upon the evils of horse-racing, and said if the ladies were but to put their heel upon the practice, it would soon cease. He concluded, by warning the young against reading books merely for the sake of amusement, as a dissipation of mind would surfily follow. Mr Mollison, M.P.0., proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies and stewards,

which was responded to by Mr Gray, who proposed a vote of thanks to the Choir, coupled with Mr Mackay; who stated the pleasure he felt at being* present, which amply repaid him for his trouble in coming from Dunedin. Mr White said, they had too long hai'ped upon the debt of the Church, for it was otherwise, the people were indebted to the Church, for what ? — for liberty — civil and religious, and for every thing they held most dear, — he therefore called upon one and all to be liberal and energetic — he proposed thanks to the l strang-ers' which the Rev. Mr Will acknowledged. Mr White said, Mr Will was the father of the Waihola church, and as such was entitled to a hearty vote of thanks, which was replied to in a feeling manner by that gentleman. During the evening* the Choir sang various portions of the psalms. The Rev. Mr Allen pronounced the benediction, when the meeting broke up, every one being 1 highly gratified and amused.