PRESBYTERIAN ANNIVERSARY.

Marlborough Express, Volume VI, Issue 294, 27 May 1871, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN ANNIVERSARY.

In connection with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Blenheim, anniversary sermons were preached last Sunday morning and evening by the Revs. J. B. Richardson, and W. Shirriffs, M.A., respectively. On Wednesday the tea meeting was held in the old Council Chamber, when about 180 persons partook of the good things provided. The following ladies presided at the various tables: Mesdames Hutcheson, Henderson, Falconer, Collins, Newth, Rush, and D. M'Callum ; also the Misses M‘Hutcheson and Thompson. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Church, which was well filled, when Mr J. M. Hutcheson presided. The meeting was opened by singing the 100th Psalm, and prayer by the Rev. J. B. Richardson. The Chairman made some remarks on two subjects—namely, Anniversary meetings in general, and also that it was the anniversary of the birth of our beloved Sovereign. The Choir sang two verses of the National Anthem. The Ven. Archdeacon Butt remarked upon the causes that this Church had for thanksgiving, and amongst them and not the least was the preservation of the Church from fire. He made a few remarks on the war in Europe, and religious liberty, and concluded by reading a paragraph on the great fire in London, by Dr. N. McLeod. This was followed by the anthem, St. George’s, Edinburgh. The Rev. J. Bannatyne made some very able and suitable remarks on the fact that members of the churches are God’s building; that they were, in fact, the true stones of the living temple—God’s temple. He reminded his hearers that it was necessary to be very careful not to deface the building, but only to use the most precious materials. In the course of his remarks he made reference to the late Rev. A. Ruesell, and appropriately and feelingly urged upon all to follow him in his faith, so that building our life-temples as he did, and having the same lively faith in a living and persona! Saviour, we may at last, like him, be called to serve God in his temple above. Mr Morley made a few remarks on the cultivation of character. The anthem, “ Great is the Lord,” was followed by the collection, when £5 7s Id was taken up. The Rev. J. B. Richardson spoke / /vry ably and eloquently on the stability of God’s Word. The anthem, “Make a joyful noise,” succeeded, after which the Rev. W. Shirriffs made some remarks upon the report which was printed some little tune ago. Alter the anthem, “Sing unto God,” Mr Litchfield proposed a vote of thanks to the Choir, and in doing so read a short original essay on Music, and treated the subject in an interesting and able manner. Mr T. A. Dickens returned thanks for the Choir; and the Rev. W. Shirriffs proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, ladies and gentlemen who had favored them with their company. The doxolgy, “Now unto Him,” and the benediction by the Ven. Archdeacon Butt, brought a very pleasant and agreeable meeting to a close