MEMORIES OF OLD TIMES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21483, 27 May 1935, Page 8

MEMORIES OF OLD TIMES

the birthday cake CUT . TRINITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The jubilee celebration of Trinity Congregational Church began on Saturday afternoon with a gathering of past and present members of the church, a convivial afternoon tea, and a meeting at which old times were recalled. The Rev. D. Gardner Miller minister of the church, presided, and the Rev. Harry Johnston who was minister at Trinity from 1913 to 191», who was also present, spoke briefly of old times in the church. In ali, between 300 and 400 supporters of the church were present, their numbers including many who now live in other parts of New Zealand, and who entered Trinity on Saturday afternoon for the first time in many years. Proceedings began at -s.ou p.m., when a mass photograph was taken, followed by other group photographs representing each stage m the growth of the church from its first opening. As the numbers present were too great for all to be accommodated at afternoon tea at one time, the body of the church was used as a place of assembly, where those waiting could meet old friends and exchange reminiscences. The attendance exceeded expectations.

The Birth-Jay Cake A large birthday cake, decorated with 60 candles, had been prepared for the occasion, and this was placed on the main table during the afternoon tea It was cut by Mrs A. W. Beaven and Miss B. Shanks. . The subsequent meeting took the form of a special service. The jubilee prayer of thanksgiving was offered by Mr Sturge, a deacon of the church. Thereafter the proceedings were informal. Mr Miller, in introducing the speakers, said that he was only the latest of a long list of ministers who ha i served at Trinity, and he was proud to be present at the time of the jubilee. On behalf of the church, with all its promise for the years to come, he extended to all a happy and cordial welcome. Mr Miller then read from the hundred and third psalm. Mr W. Bull said that he had intended to read the letters from former members ot the church, but he ha.' not anticipated that there would be so many of them. The 70 letters, some of as many as nine pages, would take between one and two hours to read. They represented families who had been associated with the church in all stages of its life. Mr Bull afterwards called'on any ot those who had been present m the year of the opening of the church to stand up. This request brought a response from 10 persons. He added that he coul ' himself claim a farshorter association with the church than many of those present, for his membership dated back only 49 years.

A Former Minister The Rev. Harry Johnston said that it was a privilege to be able to attend the jubilee. He recalled a similar occasion 21 years ago, but regretted that many of those who then attended had since passed on. Trinity was admittedly the most beautiful of the churches of the Congregational order in New Zealand. For GO years Gcd ha continued to deliver it from the pitfalls which from time to time haci threatened it. He trusted that it would continue to progress as in the past. Mr James Boot, who arrived in New Zealand in 1864, said he remembered as a youth cutting across the corner where the church was now built. Then later he saw building materials on the site, but he did not think then that he would be associated with the church. He remembered that a col--1 'ction had been taken only once a month. When the permanent seating had been put into the church he had picked out his place in it, and had kept it for GO years. The soloists for the service were Mr and Mrs Robert Anderson, and Mrs Bischlager. Mr A. M. Owen was at the organ. . Mr Miller expressed greetings to Mr Ben Jones, a former deacon of the church who was 86 years ol age. and who was prevented by illness from attending.

JUBILEE SERVICES The services yesterday celebrating the diamond jubilee of the opening of Trinity Congregational Church were conducted in the morning by the Rev. Harry Johnson, of Wellington, pastor of Trinity from 1914-10, and in the evening by the Rev. D. Gardner Miller. Mr Johnson spoke on the scriptural- meaning of jubilee, making special reference in his preliminary remarks to the faith and vision of the founders of the Congregational fellowship in Christchurch, and to the builders of the church. Through their work a steady and lasting influence had been exerted not only on the city but also, through the church's missionaries, on other lands. The central ideas of the Hebrew word for jubilee, said Mr Johnson, were emancipation, consecration and jubilation. He spoke of the custom of giving freedom and restoring patrimonies in jubilee year, illustrating the feelings thus aroused by reference to the reception by the American negroes of President Lincoln's proclamation in 1863. Christ took the idea from the Old Testament and applied it to his own work. His coming had brought deliverance to those in captivity through evil habits, past deeds or words, or the fear of death. Consecration and jdbilation formed the sequel to emancipation. In the afternoon Mr Johnson spoke to the members of the various Bible classes on life with the fishing fleets on the Dogger Bank.