N.E. VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS

Evening Star, Issue 21286, 15 December 1932, Page 18

N.E. VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS

- JUBILEE SOCIAL The North-east Valley Presbyterian Church jubilee social was held last evening, and was attended by a large audience. The Rev. George Miller,* minister of the church, was chairman, and extended a hearty welcome to tnose present, specially mentioning the visitors who had come from all parts of the dominion. At suitable times he also road greetings which had been sent. A message conveying his greetings was received from the Rev. H. B. Gray, who was minister from 1906 to 1917, and is now retired and living at Ayr, Scotland. Others who sent messages included Miss Annie Borrie, Mrs W. Hewitson, Professor Gumming, the Rev. F. B. Barton, the Rev. E. J. Orange, and the Rev. S. C. Francis. Several of the churches sent their congratulations and good wishes. The speakers were the Rev. R. E. Evans, of Auckland, a former minister, and the Rev. D. M'lvor, of Marton, who was the first young mail connected witli the church to enter the ministry. Mr Evans, on being called upon, said that the Church of Jesus Christ to-day had untold possibilities at her feet, for the world of men was looking for help and rest, and in these days of depression and distress was seeking guidance from the Highest Power. “As a church, wo believe in the sovereignty of God,” said Mr Evans. “ God, Who made the world and the world of men, overrules all for good, and the very worries often lead to better things. The Christian Church is composed of people who are the children of God, and w'ho are thereby formed into a brotherhood under the control of God as Father.” It was a great privilege to serve in these days, and Mr Evans appealed to tlie present generation and the younger people to build well, even better than their predecessors, and so enable the Church of Jesus Christ to progress and then finally to win the Divine ‘‘ Well done.”

Mr M'lvor look his hearers back to 1891, when Rev. D. Borrie, first minister of the church, visited his home and induced him to attend his Bible class. The impression he then received was “ Here is a man of God,” and as the days went on this impression deepened as he saw more of his character and his marvellous influence. He said ho owed more to David Borrie than he could ever express. Mr Borrie was a true prophet of God. There was wonderful spiritual power in all his utterances, and he always gave good measure in his sermons. Mr M'lvor also referred to the ministry of the Rev. hi. B. Gray, who, he said, was a man after Mr Borne’s own heart, and he carried on faithfully and earnestly the kind of work Mr Borrie had been doing in the parish. Mr M'lvor also made reference to the ministry of the Revs. R. E. Evans and George Miller. In. closing his remarks he said that the church here had a wonderful record regarding its ministers, all of whom had been evangelical, and the fruit of their labours was seen in the men and women who were so earnestly and faithfully carrying on the work of the church today.

A short period was given for reminiscences, and Mr D. S. Beath and Mr George Manson told some interesting stories connected with the work of the past, and appealed to the young men and young women present to put their best into the service of Christ and the church. Towards the close of the social the Chairman mentioned that four -ladies who attended the first communion in 1883 were still in the district, and two were present that night—namely, Mrs Hamilton and Mrs Judge. A third, Mrs Duncan, was unable to be present, and Mrs Anderson, the fourth lady, was represented by her daughter. The honour of_ lighting the fifty candles on the three-tier jubilee cake was given to these old members, and the Revs. G. Miller and R. E. Evans shared the honour of blowing out the candles. Supper was served at the close of the proceedings. To-night the choir will render the Christmas cantata ‘ The Morn of Glory.’

The following items were contributed :—Pianoforte duet, Miss Macdonald and Mr R. K. Macfie; pianoforte solo, Miss Emily Rigby; cornet solo, Mr George Christie; recitation, Miss D. Newey. Solos were sung by Messrs W. H. Mackenzie and L. Stewart, and Miss Shepherd, and two items were given by the Mothers’ Choir.