EAST TAIERI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3105, 17 September 1913, Page 30

EAST TAIERI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

DIAMOND JUBILEE SOCIAL,

The Presbyterians worshipping in the East Taieri Church held their diamond jubilee thanksgiving services on the 6th, and on the 12th the notable event was still further commemorated by a social gathering in the new church hall. There was a large gathering, presided over by the Rev. A. W. Kinmont, who, after prayer and praise, read apologies from the Revs. A. Cameron, Chisholm, Balfour, Limburn, and others, who sent hearty congratulations and good wishes. The Chairman, in a very pleasant reminiscent manner, stated that celebrating the sixtieth year in their church history gave them cause for thankfulness, but also for humiliation because more had not been done during that time. The beginning of the church was a very humble one, and in the early days numbers had to travel to Dunedin and worship in the original First Church. Subsequently local services were held in the old schoolhouse, which was so small that all the congregation could not get inside, and in summer time found it more pleasant outside in the warm air. Afterward the Rev. W. Will came from Scotland, and took charge on September 3, 1853. There were still three members of that first congregation living amongst them—Mr W. Jaffray. of Saddle Hill, Mrs James Allan, and Airs Oliver. The rev. gentleman then quoted from the birth and marriage records of the_ early church. As they knew, his own ministry began in 1903, when they celebrated their jubilee. He gave statistics increases in membership and in the liberality of the congregation, in connection with which he was pleased to say that during the present year they had contributed over £2OO for missionary purposes. The only debt still remaining on the church was £350, due in connection with their school hall. For these reasons they might thank God, and take courage for the future. The Rev. R. Fairmaid said that the occasion they were met to celebrate might be considered a unique one in the history of any congregation. They had good cause to be glad of the way in which the East Taieri congregation had played its part. He referred in appreciative terras to the valuable labours of the late Rev. Mr Will and those other ministers who left behind them memories that would be fragrant as long as Otago existed. He mentioned that he was baptised by the Rev. Mr Will, and now he stood before them as a Moderator, endeavouring to carry forward the work of the Master to the best of his ability. They could thank God for the splendid services rendered by those who had passed over to the other side, and for the splendid heritage they had left - behind them. He hoped the congregation would increase and prosper more and more as the years rolled by. _ The Rev. W. Gray Dixon said he was glad, as Acting Moderator, to congratulate the East Taieri congregation on reaching its diamond jubilee. He was always pleased to visit East Taieri, because ho had old associations with the church, for his father was a fellow-student with their first minister —the Rev. Mr Will. He was also glad to visit them because they represented the best material that any nation could possess —namely, the yeomanry. He was glad to learn, by their special liberality in missions, that they were willing to labour for Christ.

The Rev. Mr Kilpatrick (Green Island) said he was glad to join in expressing goodwill to the pastor, office-bearers, ana congregation of East Taieri Church, but he urged them to remember that whatever had been done in the past was but an indication of what God was leading them to in the future. In this direction he admonished them, as an old congregation, not to be too conservative, but to heartily welcome new-comers amongst them. The Rev. Mr Aitken congratulated the congregation on behalf of the Mosgiel church.

Mr Kirkland (deacon) spoke of the early days of the church and its difficulties. Mr W. Allan (session clerk), in an interesting manner, recalled the fact that when the late Rev. Mr Will officiated there were only a dozen families on the Taieri plain. He read Mr Will’s minute, made on May 19, 1854, of the first East Taieri church session, and that was before the presbytery was constituted in Otago. During the evening solos were contributed in a most acceptable manner by Miss Barth and Miss Gawn. The latter was introduced as the great granddaughter of one of the first members of the congregation. The choir, under the direction of Mr J. Allan, rendered anthems, and at the close of the meeting refreshments were handed round and cordial votes of thanks were accorded to those who had assisted at the gathering.