THE CONVERSAZIONE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1731, 24 January 1885, Page 4

THE CONVERSAZIONE.

In the evening the annual public meeting in connection with the session of Synod was held in the Garrison Hall. It had been decided that the meeting should this year take the form of a conversazione, and judging by the very large attendance last evening, the deviation from the ordinary rule is evidently a popular one. In the centre of the hall a number of tables were placed, and on these there were arranged a number of Fijian and other curiosities. Among the historical exhibits shown a number of letters from the poet Burns to Captain Richard Brown, and a pair of the poet's stockings marked "R. 8.," and darned by his own " Bonnie Jean," attracted the moßt attention. These curiosities were forwarded by the Gilkison family, who also lent a snuffbox and original poems in manuscript by Hogg, the " Ettrick Shepherd." Another interesting historical curiosity was a group portrait of the ministers identified with the Disruption, and a facsimile of the deed of demission and claim of rights, which they Bigned to the number of upwards of 400, These were forwarded by the Deacons' Court of the First Church. Curiosities were also forwarded by the following gentlemen : — South Sea island and Japanese curios, Mr Ewing ; Indian curios, Rev. Mr Hall ; Maori axes, ornaments, &c, Mr M. G. Thomson ; a fine collection of New Guinea curiosities, Mr R. Gillies, M.H.R. ; Bible and Testament over 300 years old, Rev. W. Bannerman ; Indian articles, Mr Clement White ; Chinese curios, Mr Alex. Don ; Rev. Ebenezer Erskine's copy of the Confession of Faifch, with autographs and private note.", Miss Whitely ; Bible over 200 years old, Mr G. Lestie; Maori curiosities, Mr J. L, Gillies ; etone implements, Mr "J. White ; coral, Mr Lawson. The conversazione was opened by singing the Old Hundredth Psalm, after which the Moderator engaged in prayer, and then briefly bade the audience welcome in the name of Ihe Synod. The conversazione, he said, had been inaugurated with tho view of giving an opportunity to ministers and their families to come into loving and friendly intercourse with the families of the Church and the families of the town at large.

At the conclusion of the Moderator's address Mrs Salmond played a piano solo, and a

strong and efficient choir, composed of members of the various Presbyterian church choirs in the city, sang a hymn from "Chuich Praise." The choir sang a number of hymns at intervals between the addres&es, Mr R,O3e acting as conductor, and Mr Barth aa organist. During the evening sacred solos were given by Mrs Israel, Miss Alice Grey, and Mr W. Fraser.

The Rev. Mr Gualter was the first speaker. He referred to the_ hearty welcome that had been extended to him on his arrival from ti.e Old Country, and went on to speak at some length on tha necessity of individual action in the work of Jeaus Christ,

The Rev. J. Paterson said ho should not trouble tho audience with a speech, as those preseut were better employed in making each other's acquaintance tha.p in listening to him. He could not help saying, however, that he was pleased to see so large a gathering of the Presbyterian population of Duuedin. Presbyterianism, he was pleased to see, was strong^ and had much visibility. The Rev. Mr Gualter, in his admirable address, had laid stress on individual action, which must lie at the root of all Christian activity and life ; and following him, he (the Rev. Mr Paterson) would urge collective action, the operation and influenca of Church life in all philanthropic schemes. He would Bay to Presbyterians : " Stand fast to your principles and to your Church. Your Church has a souad faith, ia simple anil spiritual in har worship, purs iv her discipline, and she has a history of great age,_ of noble struggles and great sacrifices for principle, and you ought to be proud ot and loyal to Presbyterianism." Mr E. B. Cargili, spoke upon the question of misfions, and of the success which had attended missionary labours in this Colony, in Fiji, and elsowhere, and expressed the hope that tho New Hebrides would not be annexed by the French, as that would ruin the missioA there, and be to a large extent the undoing of much that had been already done. He also expressed the opinion that the protection of British authority should be thrown over those islands as soon as they were taken possession of by missionaries.

The Rev. J. M. Sutherland was next called upon to relate his experiences during his recent visit to the Home Country. He said that the lateness of the hour precluded him from describing his visit, but he could not help expressing his gratitude for the honour conferred upon him by the Synod in appointing him their representative at the great Presbyterian Council held last year in Belfast, at which were present representatives of the Presbyterian Church in all parts of the world. He might mention that the Council was first suggested by a gentleman who was now a minister of the Presbyterian 'Church of Obago and Southland — the Rev. Dr Macgregor, of Oamaru /

The Rev. Dr SALMONDsaid he wasnot prepared to make a speech at so late an hour, and he thought they were scarcely prepared to listen to one. But ho could not help expressing his pleasure at the marked success attending this gathering — a success which must have far exceeded the hopes of those who planned it. Mr W. D, Stewart, M.H.R., in proposing a vote of thanks to those who had contributed towards the succbbs of the entertainment, said ho hoped that a similar conversazione would be held annually under the auspices of the Synod.

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