Social Meeting.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 223, 17 November 1888, Page 2

Social Meeting.

INTENDED DEPARTURE OF REV. MR WALLICE. A. very pleasant social meeting was held at the Congregational Church on Thursday evening, being the half-yearly gathering in connection with the Church. A good tea was provided by the ladies, and was thoroughly enjoyed indeed, a spirit of hearty enjoyment ruled the evening’s proceeding, the programme being an excellent one. I) iving the evening songs were given by Misses Scrivener, Allen, Adair, and Mr Parker, duets by Mrs Brooke and Mr Gardner and Miss Steele and Mr Gardner, and recitations by Miss Banks and Messrs Ambridge and Fraser. An address was given by the Rev. O. Dean. He said that though the Congregational denomination was a comparatively small one, it had brought forward mm who had male the greatest namss for themselves, such as R?vs. Ward Beecher and Thomas Parker. He hoped, in fact ho believed he would live- to see, an union between the Congregational and Biptist denominations, who ware so much alike on all points of religion. After all, he said, the churches were working for the one great object, an 1 that object was contained in the one word, “ Christ.”

In asking Mr Scott to say a few words, the Rev. Mr Wallace paid him a high tribute, and said that no matter what was the denomination, the time or place, Mr Scott had never failed them when he was wanted to do work in the Master’s service. Mr Scott gave a light and humorous address, but with its attractiveness there was contained a current of solid truth and earnest counsel. He hid, ho said, noticed with regret how the boys (those especially who were sharp and clever) as they grew up gradually drifted from the churches, which scorned to form for them the reverse of attraction. He thought the system ’.yas greatly to blame for this, and that if there were more meetings of this class he believed it would enable them to retiin many of these bright boys, who would take pleasure in doing the Master’s service. True religion did not require them to p it on long faces; it should, he though’, make them happy, and if there were more of this laughter and enjoyment he believed greater service would be done The Rev. Mr Wallace fully endorsed Mr Dean's remarks and also those of Mr Scott and he had authority for stating that members of the Presbyterian Church were gradually becoming convinced of the worthiness of Congregational principles, and were aware they would sooner or later occupy a prominent position—they were even now entering into their form of Church government. Alluding to his intended departure from Gisborne the speaker said he though t of it with feelings of deep regret. He had never regretted joining the denomination, though he had been offered many other good appointments. though persuasion had been tried by ill is own friends and others who still followed in ths Presbyterian principles, and who had tried to reason with him and told him that

he would spoil his prospects. One gentleman occupying a prominent position had written to him with regard to his leaving the Presbyterian denomination that if he left he would be shutting the door, and his prospect would be blasted fir life. As a preacher of the Gospel he felt proud to say that his prospects had not been blighted he believed that God had in some measure prospered his labors. He was sorry to have to say farewall to Gisborne, and ho did not leave it for the more sake of bonefitting himself financially. Ha left it, knowing that a larger sphere had been opened up for him by God. When he went down South he knew no’hing of the new appointment, but when in Wellington, he had been written to and asked to preach in a Dunedin Church, and shortly afterwards was informed they were anxious he should take up his abode in the place. After full discussion he had re-

ceived a telegram a few days ago stating that the Church was unanimous he should be their pastor. He had felt that the position was too great for him, as he was to be the successor of a giant of intellectual power aud of powerful e'oquenoe in the pulpit. He hesitated to accept the position unless the call were unanimous, and was informed that the deacons and members were unanimous in his favor, and he fe’t that it was a call from God. He did not leave the Gisborne ths hands of man—he left it in ths hands of God, whom he thanked for His goodness in the past. The Church had had

a great deal to contend against, not only from the world but from professing Christians who were anxious to see the doors of the Church closed for ever. Their cau=e had not flourished as many of them would like to see, but he believed God had a brighter future for the Church. His heart was in the work, and if his health improved he hoped in some future day to return to Gisborne. Some people said there were too many churches in the place, but for the scope of ground which the preachers had to go over he did not think there was.

Down South at every few miles apart there were churches in the outside districts. He thought they were not nearly overtaking the work in thia district, and instead of decreasing the number of ministers it should be increased. He asked his congregation not to be discouraged—God had never taken away an Elijah but he had given them an Eiisra. He addei that another of the reasons for his consenting to go to Dunedin was that he wished to prosecute his studies in connection with the University there and further qualify himself for the work he had uhdertakeni