THE SOIREE.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3099, 15 September 1899, Page 5

THE SOIREE.

The soiree, which- took place in the 'Presbyterian Hall, was largely attended, the spacious building being filled to its utmost capacity. The interior of the Hall was artistically decorated with evergreens, Chinese lauterns and paper chains and reflected credit on all who assisted Mr fjr. Johnstone, the principal of the decoration committee. Mra Crawford and Miss Gray, the principals of the provision committee, had everything in readiness at p. 30. p.m. There were 12 tables downstairs and one in the gallery, two ladies presiding over each table as follows : — No 1, Mrs Petrie and Miss E. M'Laren ; 2, Misies Gray and Christie ; 3, Misses Falconer ; 4, Misses Drinnan and M'Leod ; 5, Misses M. Stewart and M. Gray ; 6, Misses M'Millan and M'Laren ; 7, Misses Ferguson and Leslie ; 8, Mrs Crawford and Miss Porter ; 9, Misses Inglis and Thompson ; 10, Misses Stewart and Adam ; 11, Misses Murray and Peattie ; 12, Misses Main and Forsyth ; while the gallery table was attended to by Misses G. M* Millan, Reid and Bryce. At the after meeting fully 600 personwere present. The speeches were interspersed throughout the evening with vocal and instrumental selections. Miss Murray made her first appearance before a Milton audience as a pianist and created a very favorabl e impression by her brilliant and artistic rendering ot "Mas3a's in the cold c~ld ground" (by Pope). Astothe vocal selections, Miss Farnie is well deserving of special mention for her exquisite singing of " The Holy City " (Adams). VVe hope to have the pleasure of hearing both these ladies on some future occasion. Miss Nosworthy and Mr M'Clymont sang as a duet " Ora Pro Nobis,' which was well received, the voices blending very nicely. Mr J. B. M'Clymont saog " When Night is Darkest " in his best style, and was heartily applauded. The choir contributed two anthems, under the leadership of Mr H. M'Clymont, and this concluded the musical portion of the programme. The accompaniments during the evening were capably played by Misses Bryce, J. Stewart, and Farnie. The Rev. Mr Somerville who presided laid before the congregation apologies from ministers who were unable to be with them that evening. Then he mentioned that his duties as mo<iera f or were at an end. It was ten months since he first presided at a congregational meeting at this church. They all regretted Mr Chisholm's departure, and he was sure no stone was left unturned to keep him among them. He was sure that Mr Chisholm parted from them as they parted from him —without a shade of anger on either side ; it was a trying experience for both minister and people to go through and both parties went through it nobly, acquitting themselves admirably. Speaking cf his duties as moderator, of which office it was his first experience he bad to thank the office-bearers all heartily for the kindness and encouragement extended to him, and he specially mentioned Mr Reid, the session clerk.- (Applause.) — They were met that evening on an important occasion. A minister exercises tremendous influence for good or evil in a district. He appealed to them and especially to the youDg people to open their hear'.s wide to their new minister to allow him to exercise an influence for good and the glory of God. He spoke of the importance of regular church at tendance and at prayer meetings. The worst thing ministers had to heap was indifference on the part of their congregations. Jf they wanted to break the heart of any minister let them Siop away from the church services, and then, " May God have mercy upon their souls." It was a pleasure to him that they had cbqsen _fjr Mjl'er as their minister. During the last year that gentleman was pursuing his studies for the ministry he (Mr Somervill ) sat on the same benches doing his first year's work. His fellow students pegardel M r Miljer as of the most lovable type of character in th*t Hall ; and he thought if a vote had been 1 takgn as to which of the students was mosfc loved and honored, hp thought they would all have voted for Mr Miller. All the students looked npm him as thoroughly pious and siucere to his core. In his 1 tter of apology for non-attendance that evening one of the Church's Professors, Dr Dunlop, said, " I need hardly say I anticipate for Mr Miller a happy and fruitful ministry. Your young pastor is eip. pljatica'Jy oqe whom al} isen love and respect ; and I have always found that the ministry of such men is successful in every sense of the word." Mr Somerville then concluded by saying that Mrs Miller's record was a good que ; and he fyacl no cjovjty that £hey wpuld fjnd jj er> a g q, minister's wife, just what they desired for lhis place. Mr Jas. Adam said they had passed through a long period of expectation, in which hope, fgir and aq^iety alternately ebbpd an 1 flowed. That night they were beyond the expectant stage and had entered a settled slate, in the full belief that a tinie pf prosperity laid before them

quite equal to that t wnieh fe liSd > ' J §6he hefore; This congregation Ijad . .'.^§l ;'sngsariy,, favored by having splendid ministers inth*= past. He did not see iflShy 'members' bf r tW church piresenti. Who were with, them 40' years ago, When it' was first reß6lved"t»o!iiave^ a minister in, the Tokomairiro !^laih. He* saw Mr Henry Clark ' there, Aut...did> not . know whether ? -Mr : "'.George ' Lindsay- r ~ waa l present Joa that, j, ,bptH. ! were at the first meeting. .'. In an- interesting • manner Mr Adam then ; recourfted' the°ltep^ ' Which led [ to A the .'. pf^the Jurat minister in Tokomairiro, the Rev. A.nßr Todd. When in n Edinburgh, after completing ( his studies, IVCr Tp^dd^ei^^a messenger to the Canadian - Immigration Offioe j but by mistake tbemesseiige'r Went 1 instead to the Otago . Immigration. Office.; . She asked for some information an d- was at once given a copy of 'J. 8/ pamphlet h|'(Mr^ Adam) had written. When Mr Tpjjd read, the pamphlet he applied to the cdlotfialcommittee of the church ; and as '.He application, from Tokomairiro for a minister came in 5 {.bout tbe same time, he eventually' received the appointment. Mr Todd, who was, .one of the very best men they- had in the ministry in the colony, remained' at i Tokomairiro for twelve years and had how retired. Just about -29 'years' ago a young man (Mr Chisholm) with no experience of pastoral life ; bat who had since proved himself one of the ablest ministers in the church — (applause) — came to labor amongst them, stayed with them for many years, and more than fulfilled their expectations. This evening the congregation were in almost precisely tbe same circumstances. I bey had chosen a young man, with six years' useful work behind him, and a reputation in the district which he had left of being an earnest worker in the Master's vineyard. Under these circumstances they were justified in expecting a blessing on the congregation and times of revival amongst their families. They could help this cause themselves by receiving Mr Miller with open arms into all their homes, and by personally aiding him in every good word and work which he might urge upon them. They must not for a moment suppose that this was one man's work— the work could not be done on that plan ; if it was worth building up the broken walls of Jerusalem, then it could only be done by each man building the part of the wall opposite his own house with tli9 trowel in one hand and the sword in the other. Such builders could never fail — the work would stand the test of all opposition put upon it, and ultimately redound to the glory of God and the good of the congregation. On behalf of the congregation and all its officebearers they now welcomed Mr Miller and prayed that he might long be spared to go out and in among them, and have many souls as seals of his ministry in this placd. Let them — as pastor and people — follow Paul's example when the Christian from Rome met him at Appii forum, " thank God and take courage." Thoy would be all glad to know that the Ladies' Guild had large and big hearts ; and seeing that of late there had been so many subscriptions going on, they did not think of applying to the congregations for one of the finest gowns in the colony. The Ladies' Guild had instead prepared a beautiful gown, which he now had great pleasure in placing over their minister's shoulders ; and he heped Mr Miller would wear it until it was threadbare.— (Applause). The moderator having vacated the chair in favor of Mr Miller, the latter thanked the Ladies' Guild for the beautiful gown which they had presented him. He did not know very well what he should say that evening —he knew this — that he came among them with much fear and trembling ; he occasionally wondered whether he had not done the wrong thing in coming to this large congregation ; he felt so very much the great responsibility of the step. He thanked the moderator and others for the kind things said about him ; he only wished he was half as good as they would like to make him. Feeling the great responsibility in taking charge of this congregation, he asked for their sympathy ; he trusted they would not expect him to be perfect ; he was most imperfect and they would discover that in a "great many ways. He asked them to extend to him their sympathy, their help, their prayers ; and if they, thus each helped the other and eutreated God for his blessing, he believed God would be with them. He had not had a very great deal of experience ; he came from a very small congregation ; and in this larger sphere, he felt he needed their sympathy and their help. He did not think he would §ay anything further nqw; Next Sabbath he would have the privelege, God willing, ot beginning his ministry among them. He then called upon.cthe Rev. .J. Mi Allan, who, he said, had been at 30 annual soirees in Mdton, to address them. Mr Allan said lie h^,d b^en acquainted wi£h the congregation and its history from very early times ; Mr Todd was only about four years their minister wh n he (Mr Allan) came into the neighborhood — in charge of Waihola, He g^\y wonderfully few present who were in the congregation ac that time; those who were then y>ung were like himself now — pretty well on in life, He did not know anything about thp younger peopl 8 ; but nevertheless held that iv some respects they were more hopeful than the old.— (Mr Adam: '_'_Oh'!".) Yes ; it was an age of progress ..and every generation seemed to bring more wisdom and smartness. But he had no wish to be younger ; few had been more favored in life than he had beefy JBfe coydd congratulate tjie.m as. a congregation in having for their minister the Rev. Mr Miller ; and speaking for the Clutha Presbytery he could say'they^ were exceedingly glad that the . Toko, church and manse were filled, with minister they new had. He hoped' "and prayed yhat Mr Miller would long enjoy .a -.- pleasant and useful ministry/ The Chairman, in introducing the next speaker, mentioned that he was pleased to know he would have on one side a college friend, the Rev. Mr-Reid, of Waitahuna"; and on the other another in the Rev. Mr Somerville, of Waihola. Thie Rev. Mr Reid also added hia testimony to Xv^r ftlille.r'6 worth. He waß inti- .

mately acquainted with that gentleman, , [and could asqurftjth enr.that ith eir be <v pastor ' JTvasra Man in. whom -there) wair!nS guile'; ; land what higher testimony 'couldfhe paaeriri-" if ayor of --their f minister? ! "In attf admirable 1 |Rddreßs^Mr.'>Beid-''theri^_ ! d&eed(i&'toiMw 1 jhow members *bf the 1 cong^e'^atiib'tfcould' in' f |vtfriotis"' ways i strengthen ylihe hands of their . jmtaftß<»r.-'-^He f: 'speo^ W the i jvrflde of attendance at' grayer ' meetings j. 'ancl' - t_Jcin& I p&rt r 'iii' tfiem. ' tie '.might' say .'that, \ jaa tney were' 'generally c'bnductedi ,he_did \ jnot'heartiiy enjoy them— because . it was not often 1 ( that ' l those attending" took. , part . in them— all was. left to the, minister :_ and so then meetings, were more, like, week night , services than anything else.-'; If a 'few were ito assist their' minister in i yi6itihg r the;sibk ; , .it would be' 'a gr6at help to 'him., The _ bburchwas njoib like a commercial business; tliey oould have sleeping partners who ' Supplied .Some '-■ of 4 the capital ; in a .com tneroial': business ;•" but the capital of ! a Christian dhuitah'wai. the spiritual energy of each individual member. /Unless this spiritual energy was put to a gpod use, the church^wbulcl hot be a living concern. ■ ', Mr M'Caw said -that he' had been requested to make, on behalf of - the subscribers, a presentation to Mr Somerville. When they did their utmost to induce Mr Chishbim tp reconsider , hip decision of resigning charge of the paß^orate, without avail, they felt -despondent/ "After detailing steps taken to 'fill the vacancy, Mr M'Caw said God In His providence had sent them a itaan who they had every reason. tQ believe waa the right man in the right place. He next referred to the satisfactory way in which Mr Somerville had discharged the responsible duties of moderator [during the vacancy. Accompanied by a few appropriate remarks he then presented Mr Somerville with a purse containing 36 govereigns. The Rev. Mr Somerville said he supposed it was the correct thing to say that he was very much surprised and taken aback ; but to be truthful he was afraid he could not say that. A little bird whispered about this matter — somewhere on the church spires — and it happened to get into the newspapers that the presentation waa to be made to him. However, he had no idea what it waa ; it was something which felb heavy and no doubt on closer investigation would prove very acceptable. He felt he did not deserve such kindness at their hands, though he had been at some trouble as moderator and been pub to some expense in various ways. But his labors had been very much lightened by tbe appointment of his friend, Rev. Mr Waters, to the temporary oharge of the congregation. They were all grateful to that gentleman for the way he had discharged his duties. The Rev. Dr Watt thought it a very high privilege to be present with them on this auspicious occasion — the induction of their minister. Mr Miller had been for three sessions under him at the Theological Hall ; and he learned during that time to think very highly of Mr Miller's Christian character ; he never gave the speaker a single moment of vexation throughout the whole course ; he was thoroughly orderly and methodical. Mr Miller was a man who would engage the attention of the congregation more and more when they learnt to know him and love him, Dr Watt thought that the congregation was to be congratuted for their action in selecting a colonially educated minister. In his opinion colonial congregations were in the habit of ignoring young men brought up and educated for the ministry in the colony. This was one of the largest aud best organised congregations of the Otago Synod ; and hehoped that its example in the selection of a minister would bs followed by other congregations in time to come. He then proceeded to sketch a portion of the early history of Christianity, with the view of bringing under the notice of the young people the debt they owed those who had gone before them in the Church of Christ. He concluded by saying he believed Mr Miller would prove very acceptable- to them, and no degenerate successor to those who had gone before him, And he believed that when Mr Miller laid down his armor, whioh he hoped would be on a day he (Dr Watt) would not be bhere to see, the members of the congregation would recognise his worth as a Christian < minister and friend, and would arise and call him, blessed. Wr James Reid intimated that on hehalf of the Deacons' Court and others he rose to do honor to age and worth and kindliness of heart-. After making a happy speech, he then, on behalf of the Deacons' Com fc, presented the Rev. Mr Waters with a silyer: mounted ebony piking sticV, suitably mr scribed ; and on behalf of a number of friends in the congregation, with a travelling rug. The Rev. Mr Waters having acknowledged the presentations, The Rev. Mr Finlayson, representative of die Dunediu Presbytery, gave an address on the features of Presbyterian Church government. The Rev. Mr Small (Episcopalian Church) and Rev. Mr Houhsell (Wesleyan, Church) also gave brief addresses, in which they extended a cordial welcome to Mr Miller. Mr M'Phail, of Waikvka, also gave a brief address, in the-_cqurse qf wh}ch he said that during Mr Miller's stay of rive .years 'in' Waikaka he never heard one word said against that gentleman- He assured the Tokomairiro otfngregation that what was their gain was the Waikaka Congregation's loss. He was sure that there were many prayers offered in Waikaka for bhe welfare of their late pastor; the poopje there felt his loss in jjusfc the same measure as the Tokomairiro congregation felt the loss of Mr Chislom. The proceedings closed about 10.30 p.m