MEETING AT THE TABERNACLE.

Evening Star, Issue 11609, 20 June 1902, Page 8

MEETING AT THE TABERNACLE.

WELCOME AND FAREWELL. The gathering at the King street Tabernaclo last evening was an exemplification of Shakespeare’s thought “ Welcome ever smiles, and farewell goes out sighing.” The occasion was the welcoming of the Tabernacle’s new-old Mr M. Wood Green, and to speed on his way Mr Charles Watt, his predecessor. The church was tastefully decorated "tfith ferns and greenery. To begin at the beginning, the proceedings opened at 6.30 p.m. with a tea meeting, served by ladies of the congregation. By eight o’clock, when the gathering resolved itself into a public meeting, the hall was filed. Mr J. W. Lines presided, and was accompanied on the platform by Messrs Watt, Wood, M‘Cracken (Oamaru), J. A. Torrance, and Captain Sundstrum. After all had joined in the singing of ‘ Onward Christian soldiers,’ the chairman, in an appropriate speech, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a krge congregation, and spoke of the exalted nature of the work carried on by the guests of the evening. Bro. Thomson introduced, in an appropriate speech, Bro. M. W. Green, who, he said, was not a stranger to Dunedin, he having done good work here twenty-eight years ago, when be so ably combated the teachings of Mr Bright and Mis Besant. He also expressed the regret they all felt at parting with Bro. Walt, of whom they had so many pleasant memories. Mr Green, who-, was given a hearty reception, expressed his pleasure in returning to Dunedin. He recalled his experiences when previously here, and said that he would preach just the same doctrine aa he had done then, though, perhaps, with riper judgment He then went on to indicate the line he meant to take, concluding with a few words of appropriate thanks ,to his welcomers. Bro. M’Gracken added his quota to the general expressions of welcome and farewell. Mr Watt was then presented by the chainnau with a purse of sovereigns, and Mrs Watt with an inscribed silver teapot from the congregation. Mr Watt, in an appropriate reply,, expressed his thanks and those Of his wife for the gifts, and their regrets at leaving the scouts of so much happiness during the past six and a-half years. During the evening the choir sang ‘ All we like sheep,’ ‘ And the glory of the Lord,’ ‘He that dwelloth,’ and the ‘ Hallelujah ’ chorus. The customary votes of thanks and the pronouncement of the benediction by Mr J. A. Torrance concluded the evening’s proceedings.