JUBILEE BANQUET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 182, 3 July 1936, Page 11

JUBILEE BANQUET

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH. LAST NIGHT’S FUNCTION. Portraying admirably the fine spirit of the pioneers, whose memory and deeds have been honoured, and the vitality and capabilities of the present and rising generations, a grand banquet was held in St. Andrew’s Church Hall, last evening, to bring to a lifting climax the diamond jubilee celebrations of the church. Although the invitations wore chiefly limited to office-bearers, choir members, Sunday school teachers, and Bible class members, there was an attendance of about 200 persons when the company sat down to high tea under the chairmanship of IleV. J. Hubbard, M.A., 8.D., the minister of the church. Associated with him was Rev. H. Beggs, of Wanganui, the moderator of the Presbytery of Wanganui Mr Hubbard extended a cordial welcome to Mr and Mrs Beggs and Mrs A. Doull. He also rend a letter of congratulation from the session clerk of St. Andrew’s, Wanganui. A WORTHY HERITAGE.

After the honouring of the loyal toast, Mr Hubbard proposed a toast to the Presbytery Church of New Zealand. Mr Hubbard declared that there had been a great ministry in the church, starting with Dr. Burns, Rev. William Will, the grandfather of Dr. Hunter Will, and others who had worked with tremendous zeal and courage. These qualities had come down to the later generation, as was exemplified by Rev. A. McNeur in his work on the West Coast. Their Diana had fallon on the men of today. The laymen had also rendered wonderful service, among them being Captain Cargill and Mr James McAndrew, who had dedicated their talents in the founding of the city of Dunedin. To-day, too, there were men of large heart and large faith who were determined to build greater for the Kingdom. As an example of generosity ho did not think last Sunday’s gifts to St. Andrew’s could be surpassed. Mr Hubbard then passed on to the realm of education, which was probably the greatest gift the Church had been able to give to the country, he said. With the founding of Otago University, the Presbyterian Church had for a start paid for three professors and to-day paid ior four, having paid £IOO,OOO into the coffers of the university altogether. Such a record was a matter for real pride. Mr Hubbard said the Presbyterian Church had always stood lor the highest principles, especially in the early days, though to-day it was in the forefront of the light against the drift to militarism and alcoholism. “I want you to be worthy of the great heritage into which you have entered,” said Mr Hubbard. He urged a constant attendance at worship, and asked the people to still exercise independent judgment, being “prostrate before God but upright before men.” He trusted that upon the granite foundation would be built nothing hut a worthy structure. The toast- was honoured by the singing of a verse of the hymn “The Church’s One Foundation.”

Mr Beggs, who, with Mr A. Wylie, made the reply, said that he was in agreement with all that Mr Hubbard had said. However, there was a record that could not be reckoned. What the measuring rods could not count —fhat was the Church! Not so much the giving of £IOOO, but the giving of lives in service. He asked that the members honour their minister and his wife. He ought to have their love, sympathy, and co-opera-tion. The material side touched the spiritual, and the sole test was secured by measuring by the standard of Christ. Mr Wylie said that though there were 600 Presbyterinn churches there were not 600 ministers. The Church possessed an educated ministry, 1-18 holding university degrees. It had a fine missionary record in China, India, and the New Hebrides, as well as among the Maoris of this Dominion. “I am proud of our Church, and I am sure you all are,” concluded Mr Wylie. FAITHFUL WORKERS.

The toast, “St. Andrew’s OfficeBearers, Past and Present,” was proposed by Mr D. W. Low, who said that in the government of the Presbyterian Church were included elders and deacons. A good deal of hard work, many hopes and fears and sterling characters were all included in the category of office-bearers. Their integrity had been an outstanding characteristic, and a great deal of their work never came into prominence. The speaker himself had begun the work of a manager at the age of 17. He asked his hearers to visualise the work of the early officebearers in Palmerston North in seeking out a site for a church. They had required vision and faith in Cod and the 'Church. To-day these men were honoured for their work in helping to make the world a better place [ and a more beautiful plaeo in which Ito live. Their work could not be I measured in figures, but ill lives, leav- | jng a challenge to the congregations of the present. St. Andrew’s had in its beautiful church and hall an incentive to carry into the future the traditions of the past. The gathering sang a verse of the hymn, “0 God, Our Help in Ages Mr A. J. Graham, who shared the reply with Mr P. Carville, said that his iieart was full of gratitude for the blessings that had come to St. Andrew’s during the past years, but he felt a tinge of sadness in the passing of so many former friends. However, he felt they were in the presence !of a great cloud of witnesses. It had been 43 years since he had come to Palmerston North and he had been in active work with the Church more or less continuously during that long period. Mr Graham proceeded to relate several incidents of bygone days. He recalled that he had spent his first night in Palmerston North tinder the roof of Mr G. Grant, who had been a most capable lay preacher. Mr Graham concluded with an appeal for greater appreciation of the work of ministers and the instilling of greater spiritual stamina. Mr Carville said he had been a member of St. Andrew’s for over 50 years, ami now missed many old friends. He advised the young people to adhere to the faith and to be proud of their Church. „ , UNITED SERVICE. The final toast was proposed by Mr R. C. Donald—“ Our Sunday Schools, Bible Classes, Choir and Other Organisations.” Mr Donald said that all the organisations could be regarded as tributaries of St. Andrew’s. The Ladies’ Guild bad rendered yeoman service, particularly to the women of the church, as had the P.W.M.U. which had a larger sphere of service. Mr Hubbard had been the guiding spirit in commencing a number of new organisations, including the Men’s Club, Ladies’ Drama Club, Busy

Bees, Girls’ Auxiliary, and the Young People’s Club. The toast was honoured by the singing of a verse of “Eight the Good Fight.” Responses were made as follow: Bible classes, Miss Clover, Miss A. Chapman, and Mr J. Sargent; Sunday schools, Mr W. 13. Tennent and Mr R. Stewart; P.W.M.U. Girls’ Auxiliary, Busy Bees, Mrs A. Mouat; choir, Mr J. Fvfe; Ladies’ Guild, Mrs M. Aitchison: Men’s Club, Mr ,J. Mitchell; Ladies’ Drama Circle, Mrs G. C. Petersen ; Young People’s Club, Mr A. M. Lascelles. Mr Tennent recalled that at the function last Friday night there were present four past superintendents— Messrs A. R. Munro, W. Munro, D. W. Low, and Jas. Wallace. He also referred to tho long service given by Miss Sim, who was still doing splendid work. There were over 40 teachers at present, he said. Mr and Mrs Rennie were also mentioned by Mr Tennent as giving fine service to the school. Miss Chapman recalled the class under Rev. Isaac Jolly’s leadership, many members being'leaders of St. Andrew’s to-day. Songs rendered by the following were much enjoyed:—Miss Lexie McDonald, Mr T. E. Douds, and Mr T. P. Henderson, and Mr J. Murray (duet). Mrs A. M. Lascelles acted as accompaniste. The excellent catering arrangements were in the hands of the wives of the office-bearers, who were assisted by members of the girls’ Bible classes.