ST.JOHN'S CHURCH.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 1170, 9 December 1896, Page 6

ST.JOHN'S CHURCH.

» The anniversary of St. John's Presbyterian Church was celebrated by a conversazione held in tho schoolroom yesterday evening. Tho hall was crowded, and tbe pastor, the Rev. J. Paterson, occupied the chair. ■ After the singing of the " Old Hundredth " and a glee by the choir, the Chairman delivered an address, in the coutse of which he said that last year tbe debt on the church property had been reduced by £500, and this year by £730, which left the balance of debt at £1500. Fifty new members had joined tho church during the year: 18 or 20 for the first time. Mr. Paterson reminded tho congregation tbat on the 9th April, 1807, he will have completed Ids 40 years' ministry; as lie was ordained in 1837. The Rev. J. K. Elliott, 8.A., followed with some humorous remarks, and Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, one of the delegates from St. John's Church at the Conference of the Presbyterian Churches in England, gave an interesting account of the proceedings of the Conference. The Rev. W. Hewitson, 8.A.. of'Knox Church, Dunedin, then gave an able speech on /' The Art of Talking," pointing ont the necessity of raising the character of our speech, which in turn would re-act upon the character of the speaker. During the evening a musical programme was gone through. Miss M'Neill and Miss Grant each took part with Mr. Maughan Barnett in a piano duet, and Misses Steele, M'Gowan, and Mr. J. S. Pope contributed songs, Mr. W. W. Bird played a trombone solo, and the choir gave a number of enjoyable part - songs. Refreshments were also provided by the ladies of the congregation. Hearty votes of thanks to the speakers of the evening, Mr. Barnett, the choir, and the ladies who had arranged the refreshments, concluded the proceedings.

Mr Phil May, the Australian artist, takes Mr. George Dv Mauriert place on Punch.