CLUTHA NOTES OPENING OF KAIHIKU PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1585, 8 April 1882, Page 13

CLUTHA NOTES OPENING OF KAIHIKU PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

(FEOU OUR OWN CORRKSPONDBNT.) March sth.

Although Kaihiku is neither a large nor populous district, it is, nevertheless, not an unimportant one and has lately made some very rapid strides in the direction of improvement and advancement The red-let-ter day in the annals of the district has been reached, and that too in a manner which not only astonishes those in sister districts, bat also is a source of wonder to the people themselves, who little dreamed a few short years ago that they would exchange their then place of worship for one specially bnilt and dedicated for that purpose, or one that would combine artistic beauty with ease and comfort— a House of God which they could call their own, from the pulpit of wliich they could listen to the preaching of the Word, and feel and know that they were in the atmosphere of sanctity to worship the Omnipotent in spirit and in truth. It speaks volumes for a district like Kaihlku to be able in such a short period to promote and carry out all the necessary arrangements in connection with their church, and opea the same free of debt. It is, in fact, a standing testimony to the truth of the maxim that " where there's a will there's a way " and a monument of earnestness, patience, poreeverance, and confidence in unity, and ultimate results of co-working. The Church Bui ding Committee, who carried out the views of the people at large, and by whom the work of erection was entrusted to them, ate men who have proved themselves to be endowed with common sense and enterprising minds, and they richly deserve the thanks and honour of their constituents for the faithful and masterly way they have achieved the object for which they were chosea. A glance at their names will be sufficient to attest this, {he Committee being 10 ' in number— viz : Messrs A. D. Johnstone (hon. secretary), J. Johustone, J. W-tt, M. Paterson, R. Sutherland, J. J. Hay, W. Moffatt, sen., J. Main, W. Nicol, and Joseph A. The new church, which is the neatest and prettiest of its kind, was designed by Mr ft. A. Lawson, Dunedin, is built of wood with slate roof, the slates being plain and scalloped alternately, the whole surmounted by a handsome spire, which, however, does not boast of a bell. The interior is artistically painted and decorated, being alternate red and white pine varnished, and the couplings and rooftrees being painted white picked out with pale blue, which is pleasant to the eye and clean-looking. The sittings are arranged on either side of the single aisle, and are well constructed and varnished. The platform isplacediin a recess at the rear of the building, and as is nsual ia churches of this description, the veatry ia nnder the the steeple at the entrance door, which to many is an innovation not to be approved of. The geographical position of the building U at the cross-roads near the Bchool on Main's property, and on low ground, which does not so much improve the aspect of the building as if it had been at an elevation. The ground is neatly fenced, and within the enclosure is ateo built a commodiousstablefor the convenience of horse-owners, also oil-room, &c. The opening services were conducted by the Rev. Lindsay Mackio, First Church, Dunedin, who at both morning and evening services preached to large and crowded audiences, amongst which were a number of visitors from the adjacent districts. As no service was held on Sabbath at Warepa, a considerable number were present from that quarter. The rev. gentleman took for the subject of his remarks in the forenoon that portion of John's gospel relating to the healing of the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, and in the evening his remarks were from the same gospel from the opening verses of the 10th chapter. The discourses and petitions were alike suitable to the occa'ion, and were delivered in the speakei's usual able and eloquent manner.' The choir, under the leadership of Mr Ayson, iang appropriate psalms with much distinctness, although on more than one occasion' they were rather loud, which tended to spoil their solemnity. The collection taken at both services amounted to £27.

TUB SOIREE

took place on the following Monday, which opened with such violent weather a* to create fears as to the prospect of there being a gathering or not. Happily the weather cleared up towards evening, and before the meeting opened tho church was full ; and as the visitors continued to pour in, accommodation was quickly provided for them. Soireos, as a rule, are seldom enlivened by variety and diversity, being generally a repetition of what has been said beforo. But a soiree like that held on Monday, 3rd inst., is one which stands out prominently from among its compeers, and must be classed among the few that oro thoroughly good and genuine. All interested in tho matter had worked hard to make it a success, and it must have been intensely gratifying to those concerned that their endeavours had culminated in the zenith of succesa. There is no doubt but that it has been the most successful soiree that hao boen held in the Clutha. or that is likely to be held lor some timo to come, and it will not in a hurry bo forgotten or equalled. la the matter of viands, tho ladies have no need to fear that over their superiority in this line will be enfringed, ns unless in isolated cased they stand unrivalled in this particular branch of domestic economy ; and they well deserve the laurels they won and held, and the encomiums that on every occasion had been lavished upon them, and those who contributed to th s most important pait of the entertainment cannot ba too bighly lauded Aowhere has there ken such an abundant supply of edibles provided arid every attempt on the part of tho vendors was

made to procure their demolition, but in vain. A children's picnic was nrranged for tho following day, and a host of juveniles assembled at the church to solve a problem that Samson's was nothing to, it being how they mifcht endeavour to stow away on the shortest possible, without ffiar of evil consequences following, the large minply of tempting eatables. Not succeeding in annihilating the citadel of good things, and (in enormous amount of the best of them remaining over, it was decided to send a case of them to tho Benevolent Institution, ditto to the school children at Warepa, and another asso'tment was conveyed to the home of a person who rerido* in tha district but who has been unable to do anything for himself for some time past owing to the effects of an accident, by which he lost the use of his limbs. The ladies who superintend the calinary operations at the scene of the soiree require special mention for the admirable manner in which they carried out their part of the programme, as they were put to no little trouble in attending to their arduous dutieß, and had to sacrifice comfort and the delights of the soiree in providing for the creature comforts of those assembled. A tent had been pitched on the lee-side of the church, where the cakes we r e cut up and the tea brewed ; and among the most active in attending to those arrangements were noticed Mesdames G. and A. D. Johnstone, Sutherland, Newson, and Moffatt; and under their matronly guidance were placed an efficient and energetic band of stewards who, with the exception of a specially-imported article from Warepa, were of local production, and certainly a credit to tbe locality. The choir, although not numerically strong, was efficient and well trained, the various parts of the several pieces being rendered with more than the the usual precision, although occasionally there was an aptitude towards quick time, and vice versa. The selections were from Sankey's collection, and some of them we-e rendered in a style sweeter far than the sublime chanting of Tasfo by the Venetian gondoliers or the voices of the shepherds on the Campagnia as they trolled forth their pastorales, Among the speakers on the pUtform were the chairman, Revs. E. B. Inglis, Lindsay Mackle, Hall (Waihola), Allen (Stirling), Spence (Clinton), and the Rev. Mr Brown, at present residing at Clinton. Several other members of Presbytery were expected to be present, but the threatening weather and other agencies prevented them putting in an appearance. At the appointed time the soiee began, and after prayer and praise the chairman gave vent to his feelings on tho occasion of the church, and exprewed hiß thankfulness to God that they were at present met within a building specially designed for His worship and praise. He was pleased to see so many friends from a distance come to join them in their rejoicing ; but as they would have the pleasure of hearing him often, he would waive his privilege to, speak and allow several whom they had not yet heard an opportunity of hearing to address the meeting. Mr Mackie spoke at some Jongth on the subject of congregations allowing their pastors every opportunity to study deeply and prepare their sermons, rather than finding: fault with him if he djd not visit the families of his congregation with a regularity which they would like. Mr Hall's speech was specially Intended for tho ladies— the young ladies,— and was an account of how woman is despised and degraded wherever the blessed light of the Gospel has not yet shed its benignant rays, and where civilisation has yet to, overcome the prejudices of idolatry. Mr Allan was as droll as usual, and managed to convey some sound advice on "character" to the audience. Mr Spence congratulated the people on the acquisition of a handsome church to their public property, spoke warmly on the relation and confidence which the pastor should have with his people, and urged the latter not to think that they had done all that was ' necessary because they had built a handsome church; but that their vigour should be threefold in tho work of assisting, furthering, and strengthening the good work which had begun in their midst. He concluded by calling down a blessing on the pastor, and expresßing the hope that he would some day have the privilege of preaching from his pulpit. ' Rev. Mr Brown gave a short address suitable to the occasion, ' ; Mr A. D. Johnson, clerk to the Church Building Committee, read the following report:— " Early in May last a congregational meeting resolved to attempt the erection of a church, and ap- j point collectors to canvas tho district for subset iptions. These proving such as to encourage the deacon's court lo proceed, plans were obtained from j R. A. Lawson, Esq., submitted to the Presbytery at thei- meeting in June, and approved.' "In September a Building Committee was ap* pointed, and tenders advertised for. On the 4th October the tender of Mr William Muir, builder, Clinton, was accepted, the amount being J5459 15s, ' and Mr Nicol was requested to act as Inspector of the 1 work. "As tho building proceeded, a few sma'l extras were dcemod necessary, and were Eanctioned by the Committee "The following is a statement of the church as completed :— ~ & H. d. £ 8. d. Mr Muir'B contract . . 459 15 0 Extras .. 13 15 0 • Architect's fee and expenßos, , say.. •• ■• 20 0 0 * 499 10' 0 Fittings and furniture . . 41 10 4 Fencing and sates .. 16 4 4 Survey, advertising, and ■ sundries .. .. 9 0 0 565 4 4 Stabies (14 stalls), and oilroom .. .. 52 12 11 / £617 17 3 To meet this the Committco havo received subscriptions amounting to . . 273 9 0 Subscriptions outstanding 7 16' 0 Collections at opening services .. .. 27 1 3 Proceeds of soiree . . 22 4 0 Grant by Synod from Manse Reserve Fund .. 800 0 0 630 10 8 Balance in hond.. ' .. £12 13 0 "As soon as this grant is paid, the Committee will have the pleasure of handing over to the deacon's court, free of debt, this little church, which they trui-t will not only he an ornament to the district and a comfort to t,h« congregation, but a house of God, where He will be worshipped in sincerity and in truth, and where He will meet with hia people aud bless His word. 1 " Tho C-nimittee wish to record their thankfulness that in the erection of the church no injury, even the slightest, baa been sustained by any of the workmen. ■' They also believe they speak the mind of the congregation when they thus publicly expr s; their thanks to the Kaihiku School Committee for the privilege of meeting in the school, a pn\ ilogo they have enjoyed sinoe its erection 15 years ago."

After the speeches wore over, fruit was handed round, and votes of thanks proposed. Mr A. D. Johnstons, in, a few well-chosen words, proposed the vote of tlianks to tha speakers. Mr Hay had the honour of doing likewise to the ladies for their provisions, and < eferred in eulogistic terms to the quantity and quality of them. Mr J. John&tonc moved a similar compliment to the choir, and stated that be thought he had all on his side when he said that the singing hud been something excellent, and specially called f oracclamation for Mr Ayson, the leader, and the strangers who had assisted him. The acclamation increased with the various votes, and finally culminated in a furore when the same programme waß gone through by Mr Gisborne, who proposed the thanks to the chairman, who afterwards pronounced the benediction, and the concourse of people sought tbeir homes, all agreeing that they had indeed spent a pleasant and profitable oveiing.