ST. PAUL'S, OAMARU.

Otago Witness, Issue 3113, 12 November 1913, Page 5

ST. PAUL'S, OAMARU.

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. (From Our Special Reporter.) OAMARU, November 3. *• The series of festivities which have been organised in connection with the celebration of the filty years’ jubilee of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Oamaru was continued last evening, when a monster congregational meet-, ing was held in the church. The gathering was a most pleasant one, in every way, and served fitly to celebrate the august occasion it was designed to mark. Nothing pertaining to the jubilee has been done by half measures. The various officials connected with the church have devoted their best energies towards ensuring the complete success of every function. Last night’s meeting was one of the most notable in the history of Presbyterianism in Oamaru, and should live long and pleasantly in the memory of all who attended it. A feeling of joyiulness, emanating from a sense of duty accomplished, seemed to pervade the gathering, and those present appeared to bo gaining fresh strength and inspiration to face the struggle in the coming years. The Rev. R. J. Porter (minister of the church) occupied the chair, and there were also present the Revs. A. Cameron (Moderator <4 the General Assembly), J. Chisholm, J. Steven (Papakaio), A. Bruce Todd, W. J. Williams (Oamaru Methodist), and W. Wright (Oamaru- Colombo Church). The Mayor of Oamaru (Mr W. H. Frith) and Mr W. H. Rose (session clerk) also occupied a seat on the platform. The building itself was filled to its utmost capacity, and everyone was in excellent spirits. ■

After tea had been served the meeting was opened with the singing of the “Old Hundredth.” The Rev. Bruce Todd then offered up a' lew simple words of prayer, and following upon this Mr Porter proceeded to read a large number of congratulary messages that had been received during the few preceding days, including communications from the Revs. D. Campbell, W. Niehol, J. J. Kirby, and Mr J. Allan. Continuing, Mr Porter proceeded to make some most appreciative references to many of the early founders of the congregation, and to the debt of gratitude that the present church owned to those men and women. He- would specially mention the Revs. Charles Connor and Bruce Todd, former pastors of the church, both of whom were very spiritually minded men, who had laboured' very .acceptably in that portion of the Lord's vineyard. He was very pleased to be able to welcome several members of Mr Todd’s family, who were with them that evening—(applause),—and also the eaily members of the church who wore still with them. In conclusion, he expressed the hope that the. church would continue to prosper and be a power for good in the town of Oamaru. —(Applause.) The Rev. Mr Cameron, who was received with applause, congratulated the congregation upon its bravery in facing a programme that contained the names of no fewer that nine speakers. Continuing, he proceeded to convey to the church the felicitations of the Assembly of New Zealand, which, he stated, was delighted with the past history of St. Paul’s Church. If the congregation continued on the same lines in the future as it had done in the past it would have a splendid record at its centenary. Referring to Mr Porter, he said he was sure that those present had had frequent experience of his many good qualities —(applause),—and also of those of Mrs Porter. —(Renewed applause.) Touching upon the very early history of the church, he paid a high tribute to the work of tho Rev. Mr Johnston, who, he stated, had laid the foundations of that church in Oamaru, and who, with the early pioneers, had done much to establish Presbyterianism in that part of the province. Mr Chisholm said that a jubilee was a time at which opportunity was given of contrasting the past with the present and of drawing new stimulus for the future from God’s goodness in that past. After mentioning a very vivid picture which an old mill made in his early recollections of “ youthful Oamaru,” the speaker recited a couple of very pleasant original stanzas of poetry which he had composed on tho subject of that old mill. Many of the old names connected with the church wore then passed in review, and the difficulties they had to contend with in the matter of transit and accommodation were described in interesting fashion. Mr Chisholm referred to the splendid qualities and the personal piety of many of the old members of the church, and said that that fact was most readily recognised by those -who were most closely in touch with their history. From these men the lesson was learned that deeds were much more powerful than words. It was still well to apply the words of Emerson ; “What you are speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.”—(Applause.) Tho Rev J. Steven, in taking the place of tho Rev. W. Nicfiol, who was unable to be present, made a short and felicitous speech appropriate to tho occasion. He referred in very warm terms to the excellent qualities of Mr and Mrs Porter, and after congratulating the congregation on the beauty of its present church building, he went on to suggest that an assistant should bo provided for both tho pastor and his wife in connection with their narieh work. Mr Frith offered his congratulations on

behalf of the town to the minister and congregation of the church upon the attainment of its jubilee, and, in common with the other speakers, he dwelt tenderly upon many pleasant reminiscences of the years gone by. In the course of its lengthy career it had doubtless passed through many vicissitudes, but its labours had invariably tended upwards and its influence had always been for good. He wished the church every success and continued prosperity in the future. —(Applause.) The Rev. Bruce Todd (son of a former pastor of the church) said he would deal with the midde period of the church’s history. His father had been the second minister of the church, and had occupied the pulpit for 26 years, or more than half the period that was being celebrated that evening. In the early days of his father’s ministry the church had had a style of architecture all its own —(laughter),—but it said a great deal for the peojrle of 37 years ago that they had had the foresight to erect the splendid and commodious building occupied that night. Continuing, he stated that though there had been many “ giants ” in the church in the past, there was even greater need for effort now in the cause of Christ than ever before. The church was, he believed, exercising a greater influence over the life of the community than it had ever done before, and his hope and prayer was that St. Paul’s would continue to exert that influence

Mr W. H. Rose, in a somewhat lengthy speech on behalf of the office-bearers and elders, expressed h's pleasure at the honour done him by being allowed to deliver an address 'on that occasion. The past few months’ of preparation for the jubilee had been very arduous, especially for the Jubilee Committee, of which he had been convener, and the renovation of the Wear Street Hall stood as a permanent memento to its activity. The committee had received promises of subscriptions amounting in all to £303 3e 6d, and the whole of those had been redeemed except the small sum of £419s 6d, which would come to hand in a few days. Mr Rose went on to refer to the growth of the church and the gradual extension of its influence. Tt had progressed in the matter of membership and finance, its contributions, to missions, and, indeed, in every way. The value of all its property now was some £lo,ooo.—Applause.) The Rev. J. Williams made a neat and humorous speech that hold the close attention of all present. On behalf of the Methodist Church and Ministers’ Association, and the No-license Committee, he extended very hearty congratulations to the St. Paul’s Church on reaching its jubilee, and' wished it every success in the future. ■ 1

The Rev. W. Wright, the last speaker, read a letter of greeting and congratulation from the Colombo Church. This document, v/hich was worded in an extremely happy manner, was received with hearty applause. During the evening a number of anthems were rendered very acceptably by the choir. “ I am Alpha and Omega ” (solo’st, Miss . Edwards),, and “ Awake Up My Glory and Send Out Thy Light,” were very acceptable items. Miss Will sang a solo, and also a duet in company with Miss Edwards. The organ solo, ‘‘Evening Song,” was played by the organist (Mr E. Randal). Votes of thanks to the various speakers and to all those who had contributed to the success of the function were carried by acclamation, and the meeting ended with the singing of the Doxology. In connection with the jubilee, Mr W. H. Rose, acting-session clerk, has compiled a souvenir relating the history of the church from its earliest days, and illustrated by a number of nicely produced photographs. The names of many of those who directed the fortunes of the church in its early clays appear in this souvenir, while all happenings of moment find a sympathetic and lucid recital. Mr Rose is to be complimented on his attractive and readable work.

Tho jubilee celebrations will bo brought to a conclusion this evening with a children’s meeting in the church hall, at which Mrs W. R. Rose will present the prizes won at the recent Assembly’s Sunday School examination, and also to the regular attenders among the League of Young Worshippers. Mr W. H. Rose will occupy the chair, and addresses will be delivered by the Rev. Mr Porter and Mr J. Kelly, of Weston.