NORTH DUNEDIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1242, 18 September 1875, Page 10

NORTH DUNEDIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

A social meeting of the members of the North Dunedin Presbyterian Church took place on the 14th inst,, when there was a good attendance. P v ev. Dr Copland occupied the chair. The tables, besides being bountifully supplied with choice provisions, were tastefully decorated with vases of flowers.

The Chaiiwan said this was the first meetmy of the kind the congregation had yet had by themselves. The Committee considered it prudent not to hold the annual soiree in celebration of the opening of the Church this yea-. I hey preferred them so have an opportunity ot meeting together in the manner of a family and conversing in a free and homely style.' They should have regular periods of social intercourse for the purpose of getting well acquainted with each other The Committee had a special object to bring before them, for the purpose of ascertaining their mind thereupon, and which was there illustrated by a diagram of the proposed extcnbion of the church. During the course of some racy remarks, he introduced the following circular of the Committee ;— « The officebearers of this church, having had under consideration the great increase of population that has taken place m the surrounding district since the church waa erected, and the probability of still greater inorease before Ion" are deeply impressed with the necessity of makin^ some addition to their present buildin"- Al° ready they are unable to supply the demands that are made for sittings, and they feel Btrongly that an imperative duty rests on the congregation to make more adequate provision for the Spiritual necessities of the surrounding population. This i can easily be effected by a°dding a transept to the present building, which would accommodate other 300 sitters. They submit this proposal, therefore, to the consideration of the members and fnends of the congregation, to whom alone they can look for means to enable themtocarryitout, aud they respectfully request all who are in favour of it, and willing to lend their assistance, to fill up the annexed form of subscription. Jt has hem deemed advisable to

be extended over a twelvemonth, and taken in half-yearly or quarterly instalments if preferred. The office-bearers will, of' course be guided in determining whether they can take action in the matter by the response now 'made to this appeal." The matter had not only occupied the attention of this "congregation, but at a meeting of Presbyterian ministers this question had been discussed, and a general opinion was expressed that the Church accommodation of the City was by no means adequate for the vast increase of population. He then took the opportunity of mentioning that there was a probability of some addition being made to the North Dunedin Church, aud the statement caused great satisfaction. However, it. was held that there should be built' another Chxtrch— a new Church— in the City. The office-bearers had been unable to comply with, the applications for sittings in this Church. The proposed additions to the building might be_ accomplished without the congregation being required to absent themselves for a single Sabbath day. It was only to the friends and members of the congregation that the Committee could look for assistance to carry out this desirable extension. At the present time all the other congregations had then- hands full with their own buildings. Knox Chnrch had enough to do with that veiy handsome and expensive building they were erecting. Then the First Church were engaged in building a Sabbath School in another part of the district, where a large number of the congregation resided; and St. Andrew's Church had their hands full. He trusted that the congregation would decide to cany out the proposed extension of the building, and subscribe liberally. Addresses were also delivered by Messrs. Glendining, .Reid, Fraser, JNfiven, and Duncan. The following motion, proposed 'by Mr si M'Leod, and seconded by Mr C. Wilson, was earned unanimously : — " That the North Dunedin Presbyterian Church be extended according to the plans now before the congregation." During the evening the choir, ably led by Mr Graham, sang several beautiful selections,- including, "Ring the Bells of Heaven," and " The Sweet By-and-bve." Votes of thanks to the ladies who liberally furnished the tables, and to the choir, having been passed, a - very enjoyable evening was terminated with the Benediction.