CHURCH GATHERINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13263, 20 April 1905, Page 10

CHURCH GATHERINGS.

CARGILL ROAD AYESLGY CHURCH. ; All entertainment in connection with tho 1 Cargill Road Wesley Church Sunday School 1 anniversary was held last evening in tho ' church. Mr J. B. Sha'ckloek, who presided, said tho Sunday School work had been going 011 steadily during'the year. He had pleasure in welcoming the Rev. Mi- Trcstrail, who had been appointed by tho recent , conference to takp charge of that circuit. Tho Rov. Mi Trestrail, after thanking tlieni for I heir weleoniO', said he was pleased 011 Sunday at tho congregation which gathered, more especially in tho morning. The children cWirved a word of praise for the way they sang and the way tlioy behaved. lie was gratified to sec the interest that was token in the Sunday School. Tlioy wanted to train the children for Christ, and if th'cy roultl do that they would shut up rfio public-houses and stop gambling and other forms of evil. The roport, read by tho Secretary, mentioned that a number of scholars had taken a stand for Christ during the year. Tlioy regretted to report the death of one of their scholars. Their superintendents, u'hosei work had been appreciated, were unanimously chosen to undertake, the work for another 12 months. They had 256 scholars at the beginning and 258 at tho end of the war, tho average attendance being 190. The officers and teachem' were practically the same. Tho scholars who took part in tho examination had done credit to the school. The sum of'£2 10s had been spent in adding new books to the library. All enjoyable time had been , spent at. the annual picnic, ami the llower show was a sucee-s. The anniversary services had been well attended. The balance sheet showed there was a. sum of £36 10s Bd' i nhand and in bank, but tome £15 of that was due for home and foreign missions.. The Rov. O. IT. Laws, in tho course of a'short address, congratulated them 011 bavins wired the services of Mr Trestrail, and Mr Trestrail ou his appointment to Cargill Road Church. They should rally round 'heir minister, and give him that co-operation that was so necessary. If they did that he would do double the work. They i-honld all work, and work heartily. What was-wanted 10-day was vigour and courage in their hearts. Sonio people believed in a.softer kind of religion, but just iu proportion as that spirit, got. into the Church fo would tlie.v fail to do God's work. There were plenty of tivilf, to fight, and (here was place in the churches for the strong and vigorous methods that marked (lie old apostles.-(Applause.) The program mo comprised colos. dialogues, choruses, recitations, ete. Most of these were, given by tho children, and the young people were very pueeeaful in I heir efforts lo piease. This work reflects credit on those who had (lie training of them. In addition 10 the items given by the children, solos were given by Miss Diek, Mrs Harvey. Mcs.srs Musker am) Tily. The accompaniments were plnved by Mr R. H. Nimmo. who also conducted the choir. Presentation!* were made to Mr Nimmo and Miss Swan on behalf of the Sunday School Choir for services rendered: and Mr Nimmo lirieltv (hanked the children oil behalf of Miss Swau and himself. MOSGJKL METHODIST CHURCH. A crowded meeting of a most, enthusiastic character was held in the Volunteer Hall. Mosgiel. on Tuesday evening to take farewell of Mr A. Hopper, who has for the past five yens ministered with great acceptance lo the Wesleyan Church in tho Taiori town. The itev. T. ft. Rrooke occupied the chair, and claimed for himself the glory of having so manipulated the appointments five years ago that Mr Iloppcr, who was really planned by conference lo take charge atthe Peninsula, came instead to Mosgiel. The Revs. .T. 11. M'Kotow, E- W. P 0 ™- hain, and A. W. Kinmont testified in most, complimentary terms lo the excellent relations that had always existed between Mr ITopper and themselves, and, through themselves. amonsf the congregations represented. Hiu Worship the. Mayor, on behalf of the people of Mosgiel, presented Mr Hopper with a beautiful gold watch and chain, suitably' inscribed: and by the Wesleyan congregation Air Hopper was presented with a purse of r>ov«reigns. Later in the evening, after refreshments had been hand«! round, testimonies to the. very excellent work effected by Mr Hopper were borne hv the Rov. R. Dickie and Staff* captain Bridges (of tho Salvation Armv). ' .In replying. Mr Hopper made a most fcelincr and'effective address, in which he thanked the donors for-their presents, and said that lie regarded tlicm as only the most recent additions to a' long list of kindncssas. The Rev. Mr Trestrail, who snccecds the Rev. Mr Ward in charge of the circuit, was introduced to the audience, and Mr Ward was presented with a Mosgiel rug. Mr Hopper's successor, Mr Rauderson. also made his bow to a Mo??icl audience, which lie briefly addressed, touring the evening a choir' under the baton of Mr Haigh rendered a most pleading programme of musical selections. ST. STEPHEN'S I'IiESBYTERI AN' CHURCH. A sacred cantata, entitled "The Groat Light" lEinley Lyon), was given last evening in St. Stephen's Church in aid of the choir funds. Mr D. A. M'Nicoll presided, and .tendered an apology from the . Rev. John M'lntyre, who was unavoidably absent. There was. a fairly large attendance. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the doxology by the congregation, after which u very fine rendering of the tos solo and chorus, "Praise

ye the mighty Mod," was given. Then followed a soprano and bass solo and . chorus—" Every valley shall he cxalied." 111. this item Miis A. Allan (soprano) deserves'special mention (or licr • 6inging. Mr \V. P.. Spjid, as usual, gave a creditable rendering of the bus.; part of the solo. In ill the conlra'ito solo and chorus—"Calm on the listening" oar "—Miss M. Ritchie (contralto) gave a good account of herself. In' the soprano solo and chorus—" Arise, shine, for. the light is come "—.Miss A. Allan , excelled her previous efforts, a fact that the audience. did not fail to note. The eiiorns. "0. sacred head now wounded," was also deserving of mention, as, indeed, were most of the choruses. The rendering of the soprano and bass solos and chorus, Christ is risen," was a feature of the evening, the chorus again' being 'particularly good, the soloists distinguishing themselves; by their choice rendering of their respective parts. A solo, quartet, afid chorus—" The heavens declare ".—was also well rendered and- received. -Mis.; A. Allan, Mr Chas. Grace. Miss M. Ritchie,' and Mr W._ R. Speki rendering their separate parts in a creditable manner. The last item on the programme, was -''The grand canon—all hail the power," which in itself, was a fine performance, and formed a. fitting finale to a very enjoyable cantata, reflecting considerable credit on tlie choirmaster and organist .(Mr M'Fie) for-his management and cop-

diietorship. Mr M'Nicoll, on behalf of the church congregation, then thanked tlw choir for the' good work they had done in Hie past, and hoped they would still pel-severe in'the good cause they had put their hands to. Tho meeting then dispersed.