SOCIAL GATHERING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14381, 26 November 1908, Page 9

SOCIAL GATHERING.

PRESENTATipNS TO MISS SIMPSOS, Oa Monday evening a most happy 60ci'»1 gathering was held at Russell Street Hull' to bid farewell to Miss Simpson, who 'hap/ atoty been, appointed deaconess to' Knox Church. A short programme was successfully gon« through, comprising items from the ohoi'r, a clever sto'ryetto full of local illusions by Miss Pansy Buckland, a, recitation by Mr Jeffreys, the trial eccno from "The Merchant of Venice'' by tho members of the recentlj.fonncd EeadingX Band, and o dialogue by tho members ot tho Haeremai Club. Mr E. Camoron,i who ably filled the chair m tho unavoidable absence of Dtl Alsbet, read apologies £rom Mr A W Morris, Mrs Nisbet, and Mr Wallace (cleric • of the Deacons' Court), and also the following telegram from Dr Nisbot: "Apologise absence to-nignt on my behalf; express appreciation Miss Simpson's work, practically honorary deaconess Russell street; value oheerfulncss and efficiency services 'rendered; hearty congratulations appoint, D 1^ t ir 0 * Ch,lrc!l ; best -wishes for future -Dr Nisbet, Geraldine." Mr f Cameron, on behalf of Miss Sinw i sons rnends in First ChuTch and the R U B. ■ sell street branch, presented her with * specially-mado escritoire, and in doing so ho made reference to Miss Simpson's W connection wifch First. Church, sho liavina gone through the Russell Street Sunday. School from the-infant class. Ho' also re- ' ferrod to J»r energy and usefulness, and congratulated Knox Church in securinff her services. b Mr W. 11. Adams, session clerk, followed : and emphasised the fact that Miss Si-mn-sons friends did not brfong only to Russoil street branch, but to the main church] also, and that First Church members were glad to show; their appreciation by sub. scribing (o the escroitiro and purse, which she would find in one of the drawoie of tho escntorre. As a membor of.-tta.com-' mitteo of the Presbyterian Women's Trainine- Institute, lie also referred to her marked ability as a student and' the influence she exorcised in the home life of the institute, in which respects she was second to no'other student who had passed throusK the institute. "■ • •*■• Miss Buckland and Mrs Dick, on bahilt of the Young Women's Biblo Class, then; ' presented Miss Simpson with a, number o£ ' well-chosen volumes, eulogising har.'eervices as a. member and as tho leader of file class. Miss Buckland said'tliat although Miss Simpson was one of thomsolvcs In age, fihe, had tli 0 full confidence and .'re- ■'• spect of the class. Mre Dick also mada feeling reference to tho friendship a n<f love between Miss Simpson and Jiereelf,' and to the interest with which she had watched her growth in spiritual things. ■.''"' Mr Scddon, on behalf of the \Russell Street and Central Endeavour Societies also presented Miss Simpson with' a. hum' ber of_ books, and made reference to her as a thorough Endoavourer. Miss Couston then priesenkd a, ooucjiandV cushions from the Haeremai Club as &>' token of love and esteenvfrom the membew. Sister Evelyn spoko of tho great vaW ot Jlies Simpson s services to herself dur- ' mg the past four or five years, and said ■ that she had invariably found' Miss Simp.; 'son fuly trustworthy and possessing'tho' essential qualities of a deaconess. S|i» could not speak too highly of Miss Simp., son, and she expressed her gladness that Sho waß still to bo associated with her in ' church work-, as Knox and Fhst '.Ohtiroh ' touched each other in 60 many ways. ; "'' • Mies Simpson very feelingly replied, am? ■referred to the great help she had. receiTef from Mrs Dick and Sister Evelyn. .. After supper had been partaken of a very happy .gathering was brought- to a close.