NORTH DUNEDIN CHURCH.

Evening Star, Issue 7401, 22 December 1887, Page 4

NORTH DUNEDIN CHURCH.

'A tea-meeting was held in the North Dnnedin Presbyterian Church last evening fejnfeMM'fbe R°v. < Jibso ? Smith, who was inducted to the pastoral charge of the Church last Monday evening. The follow-Ing-clergymen and elders were present : Bern Dr Stuart, Dr Salmond, Waddell," Gilib, Porter, Borrie, Johnstone, North, Beokenham, and Messrs A. C. Begg and Jffftser. Therewas a large attendance of the congregation and friends. The tables, which were bountifully supplied with eatables of great variety, were presided oyer by aßoutT thirty ladies. The church was tastefully decorated with, evergreens and flowers Interspersed, and presented (juite a oßeerfolappearance. . ■ _Afterthe tea had been disposed of, the RqT,MrGiBB, who has acted as moderator' rinotttlio charge became vaoant, addressed theoontregation. He said it would be his ftffc to qpngratulate the congregation ote we' li&ppy cjreunastances in which they jBuSd wSSMV* situated that nifhto They

knew the proverb which said " It is a long lane which has no turning," and he thought he might fairly say that they had got to the turning of the somewhat long and unpleasant lane in whioh they were a short time ago. Some months ago, when he assumed the moderatorship of that congregation, a good many persons gravely shook their heads and told him he would not have his troubles to seek, as the people of the con« gregation were very disagreeable. He had, however, found them to be peaceable, kindly, and earnest-minded men and women. Their oommittee meetings had been characterised by the greatest posßible unanimity and heartiness, and the same might be said of the meetings of the congregation. From his experience of theoongregationhethoughthemight fairly promise Mr Smith a happy ministry amongst them. But though it was probable, indeed certain, that they would do their duty by him, it could not be out of place if he spoke a few words of advice to them. The counsel he would give them was sugSisted by his own experience as a minister, e would say first of all, be careful of their minister's time. Somo people Beemod to think that a minister could compose his sermons in less than no time. Well, whatever might be true about some ministers, it was certainly impossible for any man to produce suoh sermons as Mr Smith wrote without long and careful preparation. Those who had had the pleasure of listening to him during the past four or five months would bear him out in that statement. They should try, then, to do him justice in this matter, in order that he might do justice to himself and to them. Then, he would say, they should make a friend of their minister. Thero was great need of friendship between a minister and his people—indeed, one might well say that no work could be thoroughly done by any man and his employer unless there was between him and his employer a good feeling—but in a very special degree it was necessary, in order that a minister might do his best, that thero should be a warm and kindly feeling between him and his people. They bhould give themselves to him, and ho would give himself to them; and if they attended to these things they would find in Mr Smith a right good man and true. He had wisdom beyond his years, a very kind heart, and the pulpit gifts of a very high order; and above all, and best of all, he was a man thoroughly in earnest, whose deepest heart's desire was to lead men to Christ. At the conclusion of his speech the Rev. Mr Gibb vacated the chair in favor of The Rev. J. Gibson Smith, who said that before touching on any other matters he must first of all try to relieve himself of the load that had been laid upon him by the flattering remarks of his friend Mr Gibb. That gentleman had always had an exaggerated opinion of him (Mr Smith). He did not desire to make a speech that evening. What they most required of him was doing, not speaking, and the future would prove whether he and they together could do anything. He would only bespeak their sympathy and earnest assistance in the work which lay before them. They should not expect too much of him, and they would not be disappointed. Mr Fraser, one of the ciders of the Church, then presented the Rev. Mr Gibb, on behalf of the congregation, with a Gladstone bag and a number of valuable books, for his services as moderator to the Church. Congratulatory speeches were also delivered bv the Revs. Dr Salmond, Dr Stuart, North, Waddell, Beckingham, Borrie, and Porter. During the evening solos were contributed by Mrs Stevenson, Miss Crawford, and Mr T. Hunter. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr T. Hunter, rendered three anthems creditably. Miss Coote presided at the piano, and Mr A. White at the organ. The benediction brought the meeting to a close.