ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8355, 8 September 1890, Page 10

ECCLESIASTICAL.

The annual soiree to celebrate the anniversary of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was held on August 14, and, large as the building is, it was barely sufficient to accoi modate the largo gathering which assembled on the occasion to do justice to the elegantly-furnished tables which were spread, to enjoy the excellent concert which was provided, and to listen to the addresses. The tea tables were laid at halfpast six o'clock, and at this time the hall and stage were beautifully decorated with flags, flowers, and pot plants, forming quite a picture que display. The ladies of the choir provided one table and presided over it. The other tables were presided over by Misses Keir and White, Mesdames Dewes and Carrick. lleid and A. Young, Bell and \\ ;nks, Earle and M. Clark, Bain and Ryrie, and the bachelors' table was presided over by Misses Campbell and Alexander. The public meeting and concert commenced shortly before eight o'clock, the Rev. A. t arrick (minister of St. Andrew's) presiding. The concert was an interesting one. Mr. Knox officiated as conductor, and Mr. Culpan and Miss Harding alternately played the accompaniments. The sacred concert held in the Alexandrastreet Primitive -Methodist Church on Tuesday, August 1!), attracted a large audience, the building being crowded in "every part. His Worship tiio Mayor (Mr. ,7. If. Upton) presided, and after an opening hymn had been sunt,', delivered a short and appropriate address. A programme of vocal and instrumental music was then placed before the audience, and successfully gone through. The anniversary soiree of the Ponsoifby Baptist Church was held on Aug. 20 in the church. There was an excellent attendance, and the following ladies presided at the tea tables, which were served in relays : —Mesdames Brown, E. Turley, Fear. Gilmore, Fines, Henderson, Williams, Graham, Miss Gil more. At the after public meeting the Rev. J. 8. Gilinoro (pastor) presided. The secretary (Mr. E. Turley) read the tenth annual report, which showed a membership of flo. The church was now in a better financial condition than at any previous period. About £400 was raised during the year for all purposes. £f>o was paid off the mortgage last year, and £50 wis in hand this year for the same purpose. Excellent speeches were made by Rev. G. ]). Cox, Birch, and dittos. JSol'os were contributed by Misses Sheppard, Wright, and Plummet-. In response to an advertisement, a large and influential gathering of settlers in and around llowiclc assembled in the Oddfellows' Hall, on the evening of Wednesday, the 20th August, for the purpose of carrying out a scheme for erecting a memorial window in tho Church of All Saints to the memory of the late Mr Robert Maclean, of Bleak House. Mr. John Udy having been elected chairman, opened the meeting with a few appropriate remarks, in the course of which ho took occasion to speak of tho high estimation in which the late Mr. Robert Maclean was held by all who had the advantage of his acquaintance. Li response to an invitation from the chairman, other gentlemen then addressed the meeting. A large and representative committee was then formed, consisting of the following names : —Messrs. John Udy, Grainger, E. Roberts, Fitzpatrick, Webber, McMillan, Benj. l'atton, Glanville, Wags tall', sen., Rev. Mr. Fox, and Captain Irvine, to which was subsequently added th 6 name of Mr. Charles Roberts. At a tea and public meeting held at Dunedin on Tuesday evening,' August 26, in connection with the Wesley an Jubilee,' the sum of £710 was promised, and partly collected for the Jubilee fund. Of this Hayness and family gave £.100. It is expected over £1000 will be collected altogether. A meeting of parishioners of the Palmerston North Catholic Church was held to consider the refusal of Father Patterson to produce a statement of accounts in connection with the new Catholic Church. It was decided to appeal to the Archbishop to compel the production of the statement. After mass on August 24, in the Feilding Itoin a Catholic Chapel, some of the gentlemen of the parish waited on Father Paterson before lie left the altar and presented the following address :— " We, the Catholic parishioners of Feilding, tender to you, our reverend father, our heartfelt sympathy and condolence for the gross and scandalous insinuations thrown upon you by those who are bad Catholics in Palrnerston North. We have always esteemed you as a true priest and gentleman, and wo have the greatest confidence in you." Afterwards tho ladies of the congregation expressed themselves on the same matter as having sympathy with Father Patcrson. The new Roman Catholic Church in Man-chester-street North, Chris tehurch, was consecrated on Sunday morning, the loth August, by Archbishop Redwood, and dedicated to St. Mary. Six priests assisted in the services, wh'ch were largely attended. Tho sum of £t;0 in cash was collected, besides several cheques, which are expected to bring the total up to £100. Another beautiful stained glass window has been put up in St. Paul's Church, Uunedin. It is called the " Ruth window," and has been erected by members of the congregation in memory of the only daughter of Archdeacon and Mrs. Edwards. There are two groups of figures—one representing Ruth and Naomi, and the other Ruth glcanin"'. The Beresford - street Congregational Schoolroom was crowded on Sept. 2 with members of the congregation and friends, to offer a hearty welcome home to the Rev. Mr. Chew after his recent; visit to Australia. Several appropriate speeches were made, and a choice programme of vocal and instrumental music was presented. Darin" 1 the course of the evening refreshments were handed round to the visitors, and a reasonable time was allowed for social intercourse and for Mr. Chew to personally greet his friends. The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and over the platform were the words " Welcome Home" in large ornamental letters. The evening spent was altogether a very pleasant one, and gave evidence of a very cordial relationship between pastor and people. At the weekly meeting of the Aucklanr Ministers' Association, held on Septem ber 1, in the Tabernacle, the following officebearers were elected for the ensuinj half-year .- —President, Rev. J. Chew ; vice president, Rev. W. Birch ; secretary. Rev G. D. Cox Rev. G. B. Monro I committee, rvevs. w. witcos, n. tr. macnicol, i and Mr. Brakenrig. A hearty vote of ! thanks was given to the retiring office- | bearers.