ROXBURGH,

Otago Witness, Issue 1489, 29 May 1880, Page 13

ROXBURGH,

(from our own correspondent.) May 25th.

The new Presbyterian Church here was opened on Sabbath last, May 16th, by the Rev. Dr Stuart, of Kuox Church, Dunedin, preaching morning and evening. The portions of Scripture read in the morning were :— Exodus, chapter xxxv., verses 4 to 9, and 20 to 29 j chapter xxxvi., verses 4to 7 ; and Romans, chapter xvi., verses 1 to 16. The rev. gentleman commented strongly on the liberality, earnestness, and faithfulness of those characters in carrying out the Divine injunction to bring their offerings for the service of the tabernacle until they had to be restrained from bringing. After bringing the analogy home to his hearers in a most eloquent manner, he took for his text Deuteronomy, chapter i., verse 8—" Go in and possess the land "; Luke, chapter xxiv., verse 47th—" Among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." He opened up the subject, enumerating what had been done, and what Bhould be done, for the heathen and nations which had not the Gospel. But he insisted in a most forcible manner on the necessity of beginning "at ho oae." First Christianize everyone at home, and then let them extend from land to land and nation to nation, until the kingdoms of the earth became the kingdoms of Our Lord and His Christ. In the evening Dr Stuart read from Chronicles, and Ezra chapter i., chapter ii., verse 368 to 70. He then took his text from Ist John, chapter xix., verses 38 to 42, dwelling at considerable length on the char' acter and position of Joseph and Nicodemus as disciples of Christ and rulers oi the Jews, elucidating the cause of their secrecy as followers of Christ, and also pointing out that though unknown to themselves the precision at this particular time, they were fulfilling the prophecy of Scripture in the burial of Christ, &c, and pressing upon one and all the necessity of following Christ while here on earth, in order to be prepared for a more perfect fellowship with Him above in heaven, when all His true followers would hear His welcome, " Come ye blessed of the Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you." The rev. gentleman expressed the hope that this new house of God might stand for centuries, and be the spiritual birthplace of many. The collections amounted to abwufc L2O Dr Stuart is a noble and whole-hearted Christian minister, and I believe his visit to Roxburgh will long be remembered by the people of this district, and conduce greatly to the general good of religion and Christian decorum in this place. The church was filled at both services, and the addresses, which were both practical and appropriate to the occasion, were listened to with earnestness throughout. He commended their successful efforts in building such a house, and hoped ere long they would be able to finish the steeple. A soiree in connection with the above was held in the Athenaeum on Tuesday evening, the 18th instant, when about 300 sat down to tea, and did full justice to the luxurious spread, which tbe ladies had so nicely decorated with flowers, &c. The ladies who presided at the tables were MesdamoJ M'Lennan, Andrew, Butler, March, Meioer, and M'lntoah ; Misces Lawrence, M. and E. Elder, E. and O. Bennett, Drybutgh, and Butler. Metsrs M'Lennan, M'lntosh, Anderson, M'DonaM, M'Eltv»y, and Holman lent good assistance. Tjr being over, they all wenrled their way way to the new church, where a public meeting took place. The llev. Mr Teliord piesided, and tho speakera wore Revs. Cowie, of Law-

rence; Skinner, Waitahuna ; and IWills, Roxburgh^ The church was crowded to excess. As neither time nor space will allow me to give a full report of the various speeches delivered, I will merely give the rest in brief. — The Chairman opened the meeting by calling upon the ohoir to sing "Behold, how good and joyful a thing it if, which they rendered in good taste, as also were the several pieces sung during the intervals between the speeches. The Rev. Mr Cowie then engaged in prayer. — The Chairman then said it was his duty to say a few words in opening this meeting, and they were words of gratitude to God for His kindness. They had now a house erected for God'a praise, and had reason to be thankful that there had been no accident during its erection ; and also for the fine weather at the opening services, and the most numerous congregations ever assembled in this district, and perhaps the best sermons, and the largest collections. They had a house which would last when the present occupauts were dead and gone. Their be3t thanks were due to all those who had given and obtained contributions towards it, and especially members of other denomiuation« who had assisted them in various ways ; and also to the architect and contractors for the manner in which they had carried out the work. He also hoped that souls would be saved in it, and God's people built up in their most holy faith, and thus prove a blessing to the community, aud continue to be none other than the houpe of God.— The Treasurer (M.r M'lntosh) read the financial statement. Total receipts, L 78 7; debt, about L 136; L4O still remaining due on the subscription list ; and this when paid would reduce the debt to L 96. The proceeds of soiree amounted to about L4O. — The Rev. Mr Skinner then addressad tne meeting in congratulatory terms on the erection of so handsome a building, and made some good remarks on the progress of Christianity.— The Rev. Mr Wills gave a long treatise on music. — The Rev. Cowie then addressed the meeting in a few well- chosen words on " Praise," especially to the ladies for their abundant labours towards the erection of this house. Votes of thanks to the ladies, choir, and speakers were carried by acclamation.—The Rbv. Mr Skinner then pronounced the benediction, and brought a most enjoyable evening to a close. Little is being done in mining at present, the river being too high. Mr W. Rigney, Horseshoe Bend, is engaged cutting a water race from Canadian Creek, which is distant about 20 miles from here on the east side of the river, to the bank opposite M'Cunn'g beach, whence he will flume it across the river in iron pipes ; the span being ov«r 500 feet, with a fall of 100 feet, also an additional fall of some 70 feet from landing-place to the claim. The richness of the ground is well- known, having been prospected afc various times with good results. The fact of a party of four or five, some few years ago, going to the expense of some hundreds of points in their ineffectual attempt to bring water from the ranges on the west Bide, is demonstration enough that the ground is good. There is from 50ft to 100 ft of gravel at this baDk. I trust to be able to chronicle the successful completion of this work in a short time. Rabbit poisoniDg is now being vigorously carried on. Messrs Cargill and Anderson, and Messrs Mervyn. Elder, and Beresford are daily killing thousands. Mr Kitching, I believe, also tried ifc, but without effect, tnrough some mismanagement in mixing the poison. The holders of small sections are being treated with great liberality by Messrs Cargill and Anderson supplying them with the poison at cost price, and when I say that it is only about onethird of the price that the wholesale houses in Dunedin charge, you will understand whafca boon and great saving it is to thd settlers in their offorts to put down this nuisance. Yesterday being the Queen's Birthday, all the places of business were closed ; but as the Bttrick Races did not come off (owing, I believe, to there being only a few shillings balance from the last races), a drive, ride, or a shot afc " bunny" constituted all our enjoyment. In the evening a concert, in aid of the Cricket Club funds, was held in the Athenaeum, and proved a great success, over 100 persons being present. As this letter is much too long already, I will merely say everyone did his or her best, and were fully appreciated, as the applause and encores evinced. The following is a list of the ladies and gentlemen who took part in the programme : — Mrs Mitchell, Mr and Miss Howell, Messrs Holman, Hyndman, Heron, Elliot, Williams, Mackney, Lamont— the two latter being members of the Australian Variety Troupe, at present on a professional tour of the goldfields, who gave their services gratuitously. The inevitable dance wound up the proceedings, being carried on till the " sma' 'oors" of tho morning.