NORTH-EAST VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21828, 15 December 1932, Page 14

NORTH-EAST VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS

JUBILEE SOCIAL The North-East Valley Presbyterian Church jubilee social was held last evening, and was attended by a large and enthusiastic audience. The Rev. George Miller, minister of the church, was chairman, and extended a hearty welcome to those present, specially mentioning the visitors who had come from all parts of the Dominion. At suitable times he also read greetings which had been sent. A message conveying his greetings was received from the Rev. H, B. Gray, who was minister from 1900 to 1917, and is now retired and living at Ayr, Scotland. Others who sent messages included Miss Annie Borrie, Mrs W. Hewitson, Proiessor Gumming, the Rev. F. B. Barton, the Rev. E. J. Orange, and the Rev. S. C. Francis. Several of the churches sent their congratulations and good wishes. The speakers were the Rev. R. E. Evans, of Auckland, a former minister, and the Rev. D. M'lvor, of Marton, who was the first young man connected with the church to enter the ministry. Mr Evans, on being called upon, said that the Church of Jesus Christ to-day had untold possibilities at her feet, for the world of men was looking for help and rest, and in these days of depression and distress was seeking guidance from the Highest Power. “As a church, we believe in the sovereignty of God, said Mr Evans. “ God, Who made the world and the world of men, over-rules all for good, and the very worries often lead to better things. The Christian Church is composed of people who are the children of God, and who are thereby formed into a brotherhood under the control of God as Father.” It wag a great privilege to serve in these days, and Mr Evans appealed to the present generation and the younger people to build well, even better than their predecessors, and so enable the Church of Jesus Christ to progress and then finally to win the Divine Well done,” Mr M'lvor took his hearers back to 1891 j when the Rev. D. Borrie, the first minister of the church, visited his home and induced him to attend his Bible class. The impression he then received was “ Here is a man of God ” and as the days went on .this impression deepened as he saw more of his character and his marvellous influence. He said he owed more to David Borrie than he could ever express. Mr Borrie was a true prophet of God, There was wonderful spiritual power in all his utterances, and he always gave good measure in his sermons. Mr M'lvor also referred to the ministry of the Rev. H. B. Gray, who, he said, was a man after Mr Borrie’s own heart, and he carried on faithfully and earnestly the kind of work Mr Borrie had being doing in the parish. Mr Ivor also made reference to the ministry of the Revs. R. B. Evans and George Miller. In closing his remarks he said that the church here had a wonderful record regarding its ministers, all of whom had been evangelical, and the fruit of their labours was seen in the men and women who were so earnestly and faithfully carrying on the work of the church to-day. . • A short period was given for reminiscences, and Mr D. S. Beath and Mr Geoi’ge Manson told some interesting stories connected with the work of the past, and appealed to the young men and young women to put their best into the service of Christ and the church. Towards the close of the social the chairman mentioned that four ladies who attended the first communion in 1883 were still in the district, and two were present that night—namely, Mrs Hamilton and Mrs Judge. A third, Mrs Duncan, was unable to be present, and Mrs Anderson, the fourth lady, was represented. by her daughter. The honour of lighting the 50 candles on the three-tier jubilee xake was given to these old members, and the Revs. G. Miller and R. E. Evans shared the honour of blowing out the candles. Supper was served at the close _of the proceedings. To-night the choir will render the Christmas cantata “ The Morn of Glory.” .., , The following items were contributed. —Pianoforte duet, Miss Macdonald and Mr R. K. Macfie; pianoforte solo, Mias Emily ' Rigby; cornet solo, Mr George Christie; recitation,- Miss D. Solos were sung by Messrs W. H. Mackenzie and L. Stewart and Miss Shepherd, and two items were given by the Mothers’ Choir,