ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9369, 20 May 1889, Page 10

ECCLESIASTICAL.

Tine annual soiree of the Tabernacle Sun-day-school took place on the 23rd April, in the schoolroom. There was a good attendance. The following ladies presided at the tables —.Misses Longmore, Dewar (2), Gaze (2), Davis, Hewlett, Petty, Matthews, Hawkins, Stewart., Goodwin, and Davison. At the after-meeting, the pastor (Rev. T. Spursjeon) presided. Mr. Baker, secretary, rend the annual report, which showed satisfactory progress. During the evening the chairman presented Mr. Battley with an address from the officers, teachers, and scholars of the school, in recognition of his completing his quarter of a century's work in the school. Mr. Battley replied in suitable terms.

The anniversary soiree of the Pitt-street Wealeyan Sunday School was held on the 23rd April at the church. Tea was provided at half-past six, and between 200 and 300 people sat down at the tables. The following ladies presided : —Mesdames Reid, Crowe, Evans, Kent, Winstone, Hosking, Parkinson, W. Wilson, I'urdy, Shackelford, I'rosscr, and Misses Shorland, Plullipps, Wiseman, Blackburn, Best, A. Best, Caley, and Beaumont. At half-past seven the usual public meeting was held, Mr. T. Buddie occupying the chair. The annual report stated that 423 scholars were on the roll, and the balance-sheet showed income to be £109 12s lOd, and the expenditure £167 Os 3d, leaving a credit balance of £2 12s 7d. Addresses wore given by the chairman, Rev. J. S. Dill, Rev. E. Best, and an address of welcome was given to the Rev. J. IT. Simmonds by Mr. S. J. Ambury, to which Mr. Simmonds replied.

The annual soiree in connection with the twenty-fourth anniversary of the Franklin Road Primitive Methodist Sunday-school was held on April 23. About 200 friends sat down to a substantial tea, presided over by Mesdames Wilson, Billman, and the Misses McCnrroll, MeKenzie, Warburton, Chambers, Dunn (2), Brown, Cullen, Clark, and White. Ample justice having been done to the good tilings provided, an adjournment was made to the church, where the after-meeting was held. The meeting was presided over by Mr. D. Goldie, M.11.R. The annual report stated that the number of scholars on the roll was 102.

The second annual sale of plain and fancy needlework in aid of the church debt fund of St. Barnabas' was held on April 25, afternoon and evening, at Waite's Hall, Mount Eden. The whole affair was got up by the ladies of the needlework guild, and was in every way a success. A bazaar, Easter tree, and promenade concert was given on the 25th April in St. David's schoolroom, Sytnonds-street, in aid of the Edendale Presbyterian Church land and building fund. The place was gaily decorated with greenery, flags and Chinese lanterns, the effect being very pleasing. The stile of goods was brisk.

A social gathering in connection with Holy Trinity Church, Devon port, was held in the school-room on the '29th April. The Rev. 6. Bate?, incumbent, delivered a brief address, and Mr. 0. Mays also spoke. An excellent musical programme was contributed by Mrs. Norman, and Misses Trimble, Bartley, and Whitaker, Mr. Bongo giving a reading. Messrs. Bartley and G. Daere exhibited microscopes, and refreshments were distributed by members of the congregation. On the 2Sth April the Rev. F li. Long preached his farewell sermon at St. John the Baptist's Church, Northcote, he having been obliged, in consequence of ill health, to resign his charge, and give up his ministerial duties. The church was well filled, and the Easter decorations, which still remained intact, presented a most pleasing fleet. At the conclusion of the service, Mr. Jos. Glenny (warden) presented to Mr. Long, on behalf of the congregations of Northcote and Chelsea, 15 valuable volumes books, for which Mr. Long returned thanks in suitable terms.