ST. CLAIR PRESBYTERIANS

Evening Star, Issue 20314, 24 October 1929, Page 2

ST. CLAIR PRESBYTERIANS

” COMING OF AGE " OF CHURCH SOCIAL EVENING .. Tho “comiii" of age” celebrations of the St. Clair Presbyterian Church were held in the Sunday school hall last night. The first part took the form of a banquet, at which a large birthday cake containing twenty-one candles was cut by Mrs M’Dowall, and the candles were blown out by the Rev. John Kilpatrick, Messrs T. J. Walker, H. C. Campbell. R, Duncan, J.. 13. Waters (one each), the Rev. J. Miller (thirteen) and the Rev. R. G. M’Dowall (three). In the cases of Messrs Miller and M’Dowall the number signified the number of years they had been minister of the St. Clair Church. Following this was an organ and song recital in the church, Mrs H. C. Campbell and Mr J. E. R. Benton playing, and Miss Helen Smith reciting, after which those present again adjourned to the hall, where a programme of vocal and instrumental imisie was given, this being interspersed with speeches. The Rev. Mr M’Dowall was in the chair. After devotional exercises, the adoption of tho annual report and balancesheet was formally moved by Mr G. T. Palmer, and carried. The meeting then resolved itself into a social evening. The Rev. Mr Kilpatrick, who conducted the first service in the church, expressed great pleasure at being present. Ho conveyed to the St. Clair people the greetings and goodwill of First Church, where lie was at present ministering. He was honoured, through being the first minister, in having been asked to blow out the first candle on the birthday cake, and ho urged the people to press on to higher things. He referred briefly to tho first service in the church. Tho Rev. Mr Miller had done a great deal to build up the church in its early days, and the present minister. Mr M’Dowall, was doing wonderfully good work. Tho speaker /urged the older members to encourage the young people and help them to go m the right direction. The Rev. D. Heggie, Moderator of Presbytery, conveyed the best wishes and heartiest greetings' of the Presbytery and also of tbe South Dunedin charge. The celebrations meant nothing to look hack on, but everything to look forward to, and ho hoped the days to come would be far grander than the days of the past. He was quite certain that if tilings kept going as they had done in the past a great deal would be done for God and His kingdom. Mi T. J. Walkei'j ono of the founders of the St. Clair Church, referred to the early days of the church, particularly to tho families who had put the church in the strong position it was to-day. Ho regretted that more of the founders of the church were not present, and among the names mentioned were Messrs David Jolly, Thomas Thomson, S. Sherwood, A. Paterson, Norman Harper Bell, and James M’Lean, who had all passed away. He also mentioned the Rev. Mr Scorgie and Mr Dunham, who, owing to illness, were not able to be present that night, and he moved—“ That this meeting of the St. Clair congregation forwards its sincere condolences to those gentlemen in their illness.” Mr Walker also referred to two of the present members, Messrs J. B. Waters and H. C. Campbell, who, ho said, had done leading work in the past. The present men who wore running tbe church were just as strong as those of the past, and ho thought the future held great promise. Mr M’Dowall suggested that the name of Mrs Allan bo added to Mr Walker’s motion, which was then carried. Mr R. Duncan said it was very pleasant for the older members to sec the fruits of their labours and to meet the younger members on such an occasion. Considerable sums had been spent on the church buildings, and he was of opinion that the amount spent on tho Sunday school had been spent wisely and well. Addressing the teachers, in particular, ho said that difficulties still existed, and the surmounting of them would make tho teachers better men and better women. The Rev. J. Miller, who had been minister of the church for thirteen years, expressed the hope that the congregation would do its best to help its minister, and would adequately reward him for the service he gave. He urged them to look to tho future, and to make it what the past had not been. He asked the congregation to give its minister wholehearted encouragement and sympathy, and the future would hold great things for them. The best was not behind them, but was yet to be attained. Mrs J. B. Brugh, on behalf of the ladies of the church, dealt with the work done by the women of the church, and paid a tribute to those who had started that branch of the church’s ! work. Mrs M’Dowall had won the'aj> preciafcion of the ladies of the church, and had rendered most useful servjce. Mrs Brugh extended a cordial invitation to the women to assist in the church’s work. Other speakers were Messrs J. B. Brugh and Wra. Anderson, who dealt mainly with tbe church at tho present time. Mr M’Dowall briefly replied. Supper was then handed round, and a pleasant social evening was brought to a close. Musical items were contributed by Mosdames F. Eritchard and W. Speight, Messrs A. Sutherland, J. E. B. Benton, and G. W. Johnstone, and Miss Smith recited.