ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4900, 31 July 1877, Page 6

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

J.-.- ■■ ■'■■' 'iv. r>. I".i:i:<ii-;. A M/MKROCS ili-ftiMllM:..:-. ■•V.i:;^r(.-J;:i- ---• I'f i >■--: 'Jitiii _- :; . .'1 retii'-;"'' 'it fro::; I.!'--. :.. li-.- i. ..." -i-.-tf or M:c church, eonsequeuL »yo:i in:. .-y..> .iutmcut _!.iy the General Assembl}' of tho Vro-Jj'terniii C hurch of New Zealaud, a 9 travelling agent ind secretary. Mr. Georgo Sibbiu occupied the chair. The following clergymen, church elders, and gcntlcmeu* occupied seats upon either side of the chairman :—The Kev. D. Bruce, Rev. G. B. Monro, Kev. B. McKiuney, Kev. M. Ruuciman, Uev. 11. Somuiurvillc, Messrs. 11. Whitson, 11. F. Anderson, J, Kirkwood, J. Winks, and T. Peacock. Tho CiiAiRMAN, in opening tho business special to the meeting, said ho felt much gratified in having to prusido over such a meeting held for such .-> purpose. There had been a committee appointed, who giving him credit for modesty, put him into tho chair every timo in regard to these collections. ii» was glad to say that the sum collected had exceeded his expectations by more than a hundred pounds. Ho expected 3 t the most about £550, hut the sum actually subscribed was £050. (Applause.) The Kev. Mr. Bruce had biicii appointed U> a most important post by the unanimous voice of the Presbyterian (Jhurch, and after a pastorate of a quarter of a century the subscribers did honour to themselves as well as to the man they honoured. There might have been some grumbling now and again, when Mr. Bruce was absent, but Mr. Bruco was always absent on the work aud business of the Church. (Applause.) It was not only the amount of the present testimonial that should make it valuable in tho estimation of those who got it up, as well aa of the recipient. It was contributed with true heartiness ; there was not a single contributor who had not expressed a wish that his contribution eould have been greater. (Cheers.) Choir, "Oh, be joyful iu tho Lord;" solo, Mrs. Culijan, "He shall feed his flock."

I Mr. Thomas Peacock said, addressing the Rev. Mr. Krnce: I have been deputed by the committee having cbargu of the testimonial to perform the very pleasant duty of presenting to you the address which 1 shall presently read to you, togother with this purse, containing 050 sovereigns, and i beg to assure you that the sentiments of esteem and regard for you are quite in accord with the sentiments they entertain for you. There are two points to which I would also make reference : 1. That what has been done was done heartily, cheerfully by all concerned; and 2. That the subscriptions have not been confined to members of thie Church alone, but that many ouside ourselves have come forward to express their high sense of your worth, and the general estimation in which you are held iu this community after a period of a quarter of a century of arduous work as a clergyman in their midst.

Mr. Peacock then read the following address, which was engrossed on parchment : — "To the Rev. David Bruce. Upon your retiring from the active superintendence of St. Andrew's Church, Auckland, and entering upon the discharge of wider duties as travelling secretary to the Presbyterian Church of Kow Zealand, we desire to mark the occasion by an expression of our goodwill and regard for you. For the long period of a quarter of a century you have faithfully discharged the pastor's duty among us ; you have taken an influential and laborious part in the general work of the Church by correspondence with the mother country, by clerical duties in her Assembly, by the oversight of Chureh extension. I'he Home Mission and other useful schemes have also benefited by your services. l r ou have, moreover, had the felicity of winning the regard and esteem of many holding various views and opinions, and who now gladly bear witness to your genuine worth as a man and a citizen, and join with us in expressing the high estimation in which you are held by all classes in this community and throughout the colony at large. Desirous of avoiding any elaborate reference to points of personal merit, we shall only briefly mention our high opiuion of your Christian consistency and manly bearing, your thoughtful and effective preaching, and the spirit of selfsacrifioe and devotion which has characterised yoer intercourse with those in affliction. Not less do we value the uagacity and prudence which have marked your 3hare in the deliberations of our Church, and its work and your zeal for the promotion of Christ's Kingdom, and your broad charity towards all men. These qualities exhibited steadily and without affectation have called forth our affection and respect. Actuated by these feelings we r. adily avail ourselves of this opportunity to testify in some measure our appreciation of your worth by presenting you with tho accompanying purse of sovo reigns. In doing so, we pray that God, whose servant you are, may long spare you to the Church, your family, and your wido circle of friends. We beg to subscribe ourselves, with the utmost respect and kindest regards, your moat .sincere friends, for and on behalf of the subscribers,) Geokge Sibbin-, R. Whitson, T. Peacocjc, Joiix KiaicwooD, H. F. Anderson, H. W. Heath, A. Brock, J. Winks, Aitken, G. Frazek."

The Rev. Mr. Broce, replied at sonic length. Miss Vaughan : " Oh, rest iu the Lord."

The Rev. Mr. McKinney, the Rev. Mr. Monro, and the Rev. Mr. Hunciman, addressed the congregation. Choir: "God be merciful." Mrs. Culpan : " Thou wilt not leave." Mr. Harding : " 0 God have mercy." Anthem. The proceedings concluded with the benediction, pronounced by the Eev. Mr. Bruce.