FAREWELL SOCIAL AT ALEXANDRA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 9

FAREWELL SOCIAL AT ALEXANDRA.

PRESENTATIOiST TO MPv AND MRS LOTHIAN. On Wednesday, 12th July, a public social (was given in the Town Hall, Alexandra, under the auspices of the ladies of the town and district to the Rev. Mr Lothian and his family on the eve of their departure from the Dunstan district. The hall was crowded, and at <times it took all the room available to hold the large number present. ■ The meeting was also very pleasant and social, and on every liand the kindliest and warmest greetings and good wishes were extended to the honoured guests of the evening. The stage of the hall •was nicely decorated and fitted up as a reception room, and a varied, bright, and enjoyable programme was arranged and carried out tinder the superintendence of the committee. The musical arrangements were conducted by members of the Alexandra Orchestral Society, ■urider the leadership of Mr Briasco, with Miss Heany as accompanist. The following ladies and gentlemen also took part in the musica.l programme : — Mesdames Gunion, Lothian, and Clarke, and Messrs Smith, Wilkinson, and Lindsay. Mr Smith also made an efficient and' courteous M.C. A large and excellent choir opened the proceedings with a song and chorus, which was well received. Miss May Lothian then sang the beautiful song " Silver •wings" with great taste and expression. Mr James Austin sang in splendid style " Let me 3ike-a soldier fall." The choir also sang several ' other items, including the chorus "Far away," which were well received, and the musical part of the programme coiicluded with the singing of " Auld lang syne," in which so many joined that the hall was scarcely large enough for the circle. Although the attendance was much larger than the Ladies' Committee expected, they were able to meet all their requirements in the shape of refreshments, abundance of which were handed round to all. During an interval in the entertainment Mr W. Theyers ascended the platform and said that he had been requested by the committee and ladies of the district to make a presentation of a purse of sovereigns to Mrs Lothian, •which he had very great pleasure in doing. It was a long time since Mr and Mrs L~othian had come amongst them, and their family were known to all. Mr Lothian had taken an aciive part in all that was for the good of the district, and had done a great deal of good, and they all respected him. Mrs Lothian had ever been ready and willing to help in all social meetings, and under her care the choir of the" Presbyterian Church had flourished, and •was one of the best in the country. He was pleased to see such a large gathering, and it showed the esteem in which Mr Lothian and ihis family were held by all in the district. He had much pleasure in presenting Mrs Lothian with a small token of their high appreciation of the many services she had rendered to -the town and district. He would also like to 'mention that a testimonial of a purse of sovereigns was to be presented to Mr Lothian on behalf of the district of' Alexandra," Clyde, Bald Hill Flat, and Matakanui by the Deacons' Court later on when the lists from ■EEc places came in. Mr Theyers concluded hiy remarks by saying that he was auro all present had the most kindly feelipgs and good ■wishes for Mr and Mrs Lothian and their two daughters, and that all would wish them health, prosperity, and success in their future Lome. Mr Theyers's remarks were received ■with the heartiest applause, and the whole audience joined in singing " For they are jolly good fellows." Mr Grirnstone, of Ihe Bank of New Zealand, eaid that it gave him the highest pleasure to bear testimony to the many good qualities of Mr and Mrs Lothian. He had noticed since lie came to the district that in almost every public movement for the good of the district Mr Lothian had always taken a leading part, "and that Mrs Lothian's excellent talents as a musician were ever freely given to assist every good work. He joined -with one and all in the good wishes already so ably expressed by Mr Theyers. The Rev. Mr Lothian, who, on rising, was received with hearty cheers and applause, said : j Mr Theyers, Mr Grimstone, old friends, new friends, and people of Alexandra, — This large \ and pleasant social gathering is to me cvi- j •dence of two things — first, of the wonderful progress of thia town and district in the past few years, and of the many new residents it lias brought amongst us. When I came to the district some 21 years ago Alexandra was a small place indeed, and in appearance not a very desirable place. During my time amongst you I did what little I could to further the interests of the place, and though now parting from you I will always have, and have now, a great interest in the place, and wish you one and all still greater prosperity in the future, and,, above all, that while you may, be prosperous in* things material, you may not be without that vital godliness which renders all these things a blessing. The second fact which this hearty meeting speaks of is the kindness of the people of this district to me and those who are near and dear to me; and I believe this meeting represents the feelings of the whole district. ' Lately wherever I have gone I have ■heard the words, "We wish you well; we are sorry you are going " ; and it moves one's heart to know and to feel that he has the goodwill and kind wishes of those amongst whom he lias lived so long. There is one other fact about this meeting which delights me, and suggests to me a few thoughts, which I crave your indulgence to express to-night, as it may be the last occasion for some time on which I may address you. That fact is that there are here present friends and neighbours from all the churches and denominations, and I feel proud of that fact, because it tells that there are great principles of good and right common to all creeds and sects and churches; and I even go furtherj and say that there are mighty moral principles which are above and far wider than all human ecclesiastical institutions. My religious views have ever been, and I hope -ever will be, broad and tolerant. I hope to strive after the breadth of the mercy and the charity of God. All the churches and creeds in the past have done some good, but they Slave also done great evil. It is astonishing ihow the power and desire of ecclesiastical authority grows and gains upon men, and also ihe readiness with which they condemn and ■would consign to perdition those who differ irom them. What right, for instance, has any sect or class of men to speak of their felloweinners as " saved and unsaved," as if they had the right to sort and classify all God's creatures? The wisest of men spoke truly of those who assume the position of self-righteous judges, and his words are well paraphrased by ;tbe immortal bard: "My son, these maxims make a rule, And lump them aye thegither ; The Rigid Righteous is a fool, The Rigid Wise anither. JThe cleanest corn that ne'er was dight, May ha'e some pyles o' cafi in. — Solomon, Eccles., vii, 16. D ye wka are> sac quid yoursel, Sac pious and sac holy, SVvc nought to do but mark and tell Your neebours' faults and folly I » « « m m ~" •

Then gently scan your brother man, j Still gentler sister woman; Though they may gang a kennin wrang, To step aside is human: One point must stilL be greatly dark, I The moving why they do it! And just as lamely can ye mark How far, perhaps, they rue it. Who made the heart, 'tis He alona Decidedly can try us, He knows each chord — its varioits tone! Each spring — its various bias: Then at the balance let's be mute, j We never can adjust it; What's done we partly may compute, But know not what's resisted. These great principles of Christian charity I have tried to teach and to live up to while I have been amongst you, and 1 believe in my heart they are in accordance with the mercy of that God who is kind to all — the just and the unjust, the thankful and the unthankful. I now bid you farewell, and thank you once again for all your kindness and good wishes, and I specially desire to thank the ladies for the hearty and spontaneous goodwill which has resulted in this magnificent meeting. If spared and able, I hope perhaps to see some of ypti again at the opening of the Otago Central Railway a couple of years hence. Mv Lothian's address was received with aplaxtse. Mr 1 Robert Gilkison said that he was exceedingly glad to be able to be present and to join with all in hearty good wishes to his old friend, Mr Lothian, and to Mrs Lothian and their daughters, and he could assure those present that although the severity of the night kept a number at Clyde from being presept, yet the people there had the same warm feelings to Mr and Mrs Lothian. It was with deep regret he learned of Mr Lothian's departure, for his removal would be a loss to the whole district. He then called for three hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Lothian and the Misses Lothian, which were responded to with right goodwill and enthusiasm. The total amount presented to Mr and Mrs Lothian is, we learn, expected to reach about £80.