MOSGIEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 33

MOSGIEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. The jubilee celebrations of the Mosgiel Piesbyteriun Church were continued throughout the past week, and were concluded on Sunday with a thanksgiving service. The attendances at all functions were large, that at the Bible classes reunion being particularly gratifying. Complaints are sometimes heard that young folks to-day are not taking much part in church affairs, but the attendance at tho reunion on Saturday night would indicate a very healthy and active state of religion in Mosgiel Presbyterian Church. The Sunday School soiree was entero?! into heartily on Thursday night. Perhaps what loomed largest in the eyes of the juveniles was the opening tea, after which games and sports were held until dusk, Mr A. 11. Lennox and his band of teachers leading the scholars in a very entertaining hour. The hall was then re-entered, and the Rev. C. Kennedy took the chair. Songs, duets, music, and games monopolised the evening, those contributing beincr the Logan family orchestra, Colin Patterson, Lottie Cameron, Mrs R. Adair (Dunedin). Miss Al’Leod, and Mr Bain. The organist (Aliss M'Auslin) was the accompanist. Air Badcock (North Taieri) addressed tlio assemblage. No doubt many have the joy of the celebrations fixed firmly on their memories, but none more so than tho juveniles, the bulk of whom will live to see the centenary celebrations. It is worthy of note that the Sunday School dates back further than the church. In the early seventies Alessrs James Ross and A Uy.VoP started a Sunday school in tha drillshed. Mr Henry Wilson was superintendent for some time, Air J. C. Hodges acted in 1886. and Mr A. P. Kennedy followed till 1915. Air A. E. Hunter filled the position while Mr Kennedy was at tho ' var - Air Kennedy resumed on returning , but t ' le town again in 19„3. Mr E. AlTheat carried on for one /vi ar ’ '“"-A r en the P roser >t superintendent • A' r Lennox ) assumed office. Assisting Air Lennox at present, who, with his e con l*' o ‘ s f be main school, are: Miss bcott and staff (infants) and Miss C Kennedy and staff (intermediate) f XT At T th n c ;ongregational social, the Mayor (.vn J. J Malls) voiced the Borough Council s congratulations, while greetings were conveved from the ioca] churches bv tha Rev. D M-Cosh (East Taieri), the Rev. R. Campbell ( A est Taieri), Mr Badcock (North Taieri), the Rev. R. Robertson (Baptist) U-ai , Dun . can (Methodist), and Captain \v ilks (Salvation Army). A programme of songs and anthems interspersed the addresses, those contributing being the choir Mrs Munro. Airs Afoore. Misses Owens and Shaw. Air Bain conducted the choir and Mrs Robertson, Aliss APAuslin, and Aliss L.ogan were the accompanists. .The Bibie class re-union on Saturday night was a very happy gathering. Air Liston Brown was in the chair. The ladies provided supper. The Rev. C. Kennedy was present, and led the young folks in devotional exercises at the opening and close of the social. Alessrs Al. Johnson (Dunedin). John Logan (Mosgiel), John Fraser I- raser (Berwick), and R. T. Dodds gave addresses. Air Johnson stressed the need fcr co-operation, Air Fraser advised a review of the past, that the things worth while might be singled out and cultivated in the future; and Air Logan and Air Dodds commented on the large share the young people took in their church’s affairs. There was no need to fear for the future if this were maintained. Mr Logan conveyed thanks on behalf of the Session for the help the young people had given at all times. The music and songs were rendered by members of the Bible classes, and made up a very excellent programme. The pronouncing of the benediction closed a memorable re-union, one that must strengthen considerably the bonds of friendship, and instil even greater life and activity into the classes. The roll cal! formed no small part of t.ln» evening’s function. Earliest records show that Air J. C. Hodges carried on for a time; then Mr D. MacLeod acted as leader for several years until he left the district; thereafter the following took up the work in succession:—Alessrs Magnus Johnson, John Rowan, C. H. Fastier, W. Al. Bain, John Fraser, the Rev. J. Aitken, J. Logan, R. T. Doods, the Rev. D. Calder, T. W. Dallas, L. K. Brown, Drew Lennox, John Brown, and E. AlTheat, pin. In the early years the men’s and women’s classes were carried on jointly by the Rev. J. APKerrow. In 1905 the women’s leadership was taken up by Aliss Scott. Other ladies who followed in succession were Aliss J. E. Wilson, Airs John Dryden, Aliss N. Brown, Aliss Jean Fraser, Aliss B. Fraser, Aliss Ewart, Aliss Murdoch. Aliss Calder. Aliss L. Browne. Aliss R. Blaikie. Aliss J. Dodds, Airs AlTheat, and Aliss Crawford.

The service of praise is, and always has been, a very important factor in church worship in Mosgiel. This has been loyally supported by members and adherents gifted with the voice of song and willing to give their time to this work. During the first six years of the church’s life the psalmody was led by the precentor. In 1893 an organ was introduced. Those acting as organist and choirmaster, or in each of these capacities separately, throughout the half century were Air Joseph Allan, Air D. S. Beveridge, Air J. R. Prentice and his son and daughter. Air Bain, Aliss Sim, Aliss L. E. C. Browne-, and. at present, Air Bain and Miss APAuslin. The thanksgiving services closed the celebrations on Sunday. In the forenoor the preached was the Rev. C. Kennedy and in the evening the Rev. E. J. Tiplei* (Alornington). The singing, sermons, and services all had a brightness that betokened a spirit of thankfulness to God for the blessings of the past half century, and for the period of rejoicing that had been the happy lot of the congregation during the past eight days. <