GORE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 10, Issue 691, 2 August 1887, Page 4

GORE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

SACRED CONCERT. Some little time since the congregation of the Gore Presbyterian Church decided, with all the formality with which the laws of the denomination still hedge what is regarded as an innovation, to introduce instrumental music to their worship. The decision of the congregation was practically unanimous, and as soon as the necessary sanction had been obtained to the installation of the organ by the higher courts, Bteps were at once taken to carry , the resolution into effect. Negotiations w<re opened with Mr Wiliifvms, of this town, and from a catalogue submitted by him the- committee selected an instrument which was introduced to the general public last Friday evening. The organ is of the American variety, and is of the make known as the Century. It has 13 stops, two knee Bwells, and is • suitably designed for a place of worship. Above all it has a splendid tone, as* was amply r demonstrated' on the occasion referred to. In order to formally celebrate the intron duction of instrumental music, and at the same time with a prudent wish to make the occasion a means of defraying part of the coat, the concert of laßb Friday evening was arranged. fiuccesß crowned the project, for not only was a lengthy programme provided, but the church was packed almost to suffocation, even the aisle being full as well as the porch. The pastor, the Rev Mr Maokay, presided, and, after Mrs Mackay had played a march from Achalie, said that the programme would be supplemented by, several item a , and as it was of considerable length ho would ask the audience to be considerate in the matter of encores, The ohoir, which was under the conduct orship of Mr Gardner, and was numerically and vocally strong, sang a ' Sanctus,' and furnished the audience with an unusual treat . in concerted musio, Mr H. Smith, who has a good voice but is somewhat diffident, sang a solo ' David,' after, which c&me a quartette ' Arise ! Shine!' This was taken by Misses Ramsay and Irving and Messrs Dun* woodie i and< France. Miss Morgan's name -was one. of, those Bet/oppodite this number, but the chairman tendered an apology for her, us ahn has been suffering from a oold, and Miss Ramsay took her place. Micß Ramsay then sang the solo ' Ang< U ever bright ' and illustrated admirably the composer's method of treating the theme. A duet by Mesdames Fraz-r and Mackay, by Gounod, entitled 'The Guardian Angel ' was next, and was accompanied at the piano by Miss Macßonell, who kindly consented to act at a moment's notice in the absence of Mr Brett. That gentleman, however, soon afterwards entered the building, and aesumed his position as accompanist of the soloa and part songs. The solo ' [Resignation ' brought forward an old favorite, Miss Irving It is now about two years since this lady sang to a Gote audience, and , »he sings even better now than then. H«r voice is now a mezzo soprano of great range and sweetness. In renponse to an 'encore, portion of the song was repeated. Miss Praser played a pianoforte solo, after which Miss Brown sang 'Too Late,' the song with whioh Sankey melted his audiences. Mr Brett accompanied this item. A sanction by the choir •I will lift up mine eyes' followed, and it was followed by Sullivan's •Lost Chord,' em-g by Mias M.Eamnay., This young lady was another decided acquaintance to the list of vocalists. Her voice is a powerful contralto, and has been highly trained. The audienco insisted on an encore, which was oblig - ingly given. The choir nexb sang 'Turn Thy Fnce,' and this included a solo part exueinely well taken by Miss Kpnißay, The song ' Paradise ' by Mrs J. N. Scott brought the first part of the programme to a close. Mr Mack ay expressed his thanks At the very large attendance, and said it would have justified the taking of a larger hall. He made several announcements. The first was that a meeting re the Bible in schools would be held on Wednesday (tomorrow) evening, and he asked all favorable to the cause to attend. It was intended to hold a soiree at the beginning of Septembsr, and Mr Gardner had in contemplation another concert whioh should be a Scotch one, which would be held in the Town Hall if possible. On both these Occasions all the, singers present that night would take part and more if possible. He was Bure both would be well patronised not only because a treat could be anticipated, but from the faot that appeals of the kind were not often made The second part wa3 opened by a pianoforte solo * Midnight . Chimes ■ played ,by Miss Fraser. It was succeeded by a quartette ' Vital Spark' by Miss Ramaiy (soprano), Master DMacara (alto), and Messrs Smith (tenor) and Roy (bass), The item was received with bo much favor that a portion of it had to be repeated. Mias Morgan, although evidently not quite reepvered, aang ' O Rest in the Lord,' by Mendelssohn, with much expression. The, audience wished to encore the lady ; but Mr Mackay pleaded on her behalf that the strain would be too severe. After the choir had aung ' O taste and see 'and Mr Smith had sung ' Charity/ in which he succeeded much better than in the first part, Mrs Mackay and Miss Irving sang a duet entitled' There is a land,' which won hearty plaudits. Miss Ria/iHay again came forward with a solo from one of Handel's oratorios, entitled ' rJe shall feed his flock.' Miss Ramsay obligingly responded to «- an imperative encore. The choir then sang 'I willarisp,' perhaps the best of their many meritorious efforts during tho evenicg. Miss Irving sang ' The cradle song of tho Poor,' a most affect^ ing soug depicting a starving mother hushing her famishing child to sleep. The audience would not be eatisSed without a repitelion. After another duet by Mesdames Frazer and Mackay, Miss M. Ramsay again appeared and sang ' Anchored ' with even greatei success than her former contribution.

aB waß Bhown by the vociferous noull, when ' The fisherman and his child ' was sung. Psalm 122 by choir and audience brought to a conclusion about 11 p. m. a most extensive and excellent programme. The applause was all through enthusiastic perhaps at tim^s a little too much so, considering the nature of the building, bub the impropriety ofwhistling which at one time threaten- j ed to begin was promptly suppressed; by the pastor, who threatened offenders with ejection. Generally, however,; the tokens of appreciation were gen-j nine, and the success of the concert as •a whole should ensure a large, attendance on the next occasion of the kind, J