ST, PETER'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1826, 16 April 1885, Page 2

ST, PETER'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

INDUCTION OP THE REV. A. MAO--5 § LENNAN. I. The Induction Ceremony in connec- " tion with the above church took place, as announced, on Tuesday afternoon, . at 3 o'clock. A fair number of the \- congregation were present and the J ceremony was performed by the "Rev. 1 D. J. Steele and the Eev. S. J. Neill r (Thames). i The Eev. Mr Steele addressed the 1 congregation on Ephes. vi., 10 to 20, and dwelt upon the exhortations of the Apostle as therein contained. The Eev. Mr Neill followed with . an address to the pastor and congre- ''• gation, on clinch matters and discik pline generally, dwelling more par- [ ticularly on their reciprocal duties . and obligations. Hymns suited to the occasion were L sung. The Eevs. Mr Noill and Mr ■ Steele then came forward and gave 1 the Eev. A. MacLennan the right ' hand of fellowship in token of broi therly love as those united in the : common bonds of the gospel. 1 The newly inducted pastor then took his place at the door of St Peter's . Church and shook hands with each member of the congregation present as they filed out. Tins concluded the afternoon's ceremony.

■ THE SO [REE. opened at 6 p.m., when the members of St. Peter's Church, their friends, and numerous visitors from the other denominations, assembled at the Temperance Hall for tea. The most sumptuous repast had been provided and six tables were spread and furnished with all the good things available ; the tables groaning under the load they had to sustain. Each table was provided and catered for by the following : — Mesdames Commons and Macintosh, the Misses Gralbrjiith ;

Mr Mazwell, Mr McAuley, and the Bachelor's table, the supervision and care of which was entrusted to the Misses Fleetwood. There was a large attendance and a most enjoyable evening was thus begun. After the outer man llad been refreshed, arrangements for the evening programme, were carried, out and the ite'nis provided were 1 pei'formdd in tjic order as hereinafter named — with the exception of au address by the Rev. S. J. Neill, who was obliged to leave by the s.s. Wellington for Auckland — the whole programme passed off without a hitch. The first item was an anthem sung by the choir, " Thine, O Lord, is the greatness " ; followed by the Chairman's address (Rev. A. MacLennan), who spoke very pointedly and struck the key note of evening by dwelling on the thought of unity, and this was taken up in effect by each speaker who enlarged upon the subject and illustrated their remarks by anecdotes and allusions. The third item, another anthem by the choir, " Lord, for Thy tendor mercy's sake." Mrs Snodgrass then followed with a very pretty song, " G-ood-night Robin," (Rocekeo). This song was very much admired, Mrs Snodgrass possesses a veiy pleasing voi^o and is a valuable addition to the local musical talent. A glee, "Springs Bright Glances," by the choir, took very well and was applauded on all sides. The Rev. T. F. Jones followed with his address on the spirit of unity, which should animate all in eveiything and the undoubted power of its cultivation. Miss Fleetwood sung " Ehren on the Rhine," and was encored, replying to the compliment by singing " Bide a "Wee." These two songs seemed to be much enjoyed. The choir sang " Where art thou beam of Light." This very charmiug glee, as might be expected, elicited praise and admiration. The Rev. C. Jordan addressed the assembly present on the same strain as the preceding speakers. Mr Snodgrass sang " Philip, the Falconer" (Loder), in very pleasant style and was loudly applauded. The Rev. Steele concluded with well chosen remarks, and his address was roceived with enthusiasm, again unity being tho sum and substance, A vote of thanks to the ladies, the speakers, and the chair, which was carried by acclamation concluded a very pleasant