CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 17799, 1 June 1918, Page 7

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

A famous Anthem and its Composer.— Every choir of any stantling has Sir John Goss’s anthem, “O Saviour of the world” in its library. The following account of the origin of this impressive composition told by Sir Joseph Barnby, will be of interest: “I was very much struck with the beauty of those words in the Order for the Visitation of the Sick, "O Saviour of the world.” One day I was sitting with Goss in the organ-loft of the Chapel Koyai, of which he was the official composer. I handed him the Prayer Cook, and, pointing to the passage, I said, ‘I wish you would set these words to music.’ Goss read them, and replied, ‘You try your hand.’ ‘No,’ I said, “words like these should be set by an older man than I, one who Las had a deeper experience of life.’ ” Goss ultimately acceded to his friend’s request, and composed the anthem, which he dedicated to Bamby. The Oteramika branch of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union held a sale of work in the Kapuka Hall on Thursday, 23rd May, in aid of Home Missions. Rev. W. R. Hume, in opening the proceedings, explained the object of the sale. Oteramika’s contribution to the fund for providing a war bonus to Home Missionaries, he stared, was assessed at £lO. The local branch of the P.W.M.U. was also desirous of helping Maori Missions. Rev. Hume mentioned that although practically the same women constituted a real live branch of the Red Cross Society, it was pleasing to note that they still worked earnestly for the church. The patrons were delighted with the many cheap, useful and ornamental articles tastefully displayed for sale and the various competitions were the means of drawing the nimble sixpence from the pockets of the young folk. The following are the names of stall holders;— Plain stall: Mrs Shirley and Misses Birch and Crawford. Fancy stall; Mrs Bell and Miss Bowden. Produce: Miss Dalziel. Mesdames Bowden and Gordon and Miss A. Miller were in charge of the tea rooms, in which a very tempting supper was procurable. Praise is also due to Miss Miller, who so ably carried out the duties of secretary. The ladies must have been well pleased with the results, some £25 being raised. Rev. J. Gumming, 8.D., formerly in charge of the Presbyterian parish at Waikiwi, is expected to visit Invercargill in July when he will conduct services in the Waikiwi church. Once every month a special Sunday afternoon service in connection with the Girls’ Department is held in the Young Women’s Christian Association rooms. To-morrow Mrs Stanley Brown is to give the address, and all young women and girls, especially strangers to the town, will be welcome. The efforts of members of the Don street Y'oung Men’s Bible Class were rewarded on Wednesday last by a large attendance at the concert held in the Sunday School hall. In his opening remarks the chairman (Rev. W. Slade, M.A.) said the objects the young men had in view in promoting the concert were worthy of all support and he was pleased to see, as shown by their presence, that so many were interested in the Y.M. B.C. and its work. The programme presented to an appreciative audience was as follows:—Solos: Misses Ollerenshaw, Howden, and H. Pope, Messrs C. Arthur, W. H. Farley, Bewley, and J. Howden; instrumental solos: Messrs P. N. VV'est (cornet i, W. Slade (violin), and G.dloway (mandolin); pianoforte duet; Misses Marryatt and Field; recitations: Messrs Low, J. Sutton and G. Reid (humorous). Mr Galloway contributed a musical monologue and Miss Doris Alcock danced the Irish Jig. Misses Howden and Ollerenshaw and Messrs Arthur. Farley, Galloway, Slade, Sutton, and Reid had to respond to encores. At the close of the programme Mr Brandford (leader of the Bible Class) in a few well chosen words thanked those who had assisted with the programme. He referred particularly to those who, though not connected with Don street Church, had so generously contributed items and especially mentioned Mrs H. Walker, who ably acted as accompanist. The half-yearly meeting of the Otago and Southland auxiliary of the New Zealand Baptist Union is being held on Monday, June 3rd, in the Caversham Baptist Church. Local Baptists are being represented by three delegates, Mrs Sherburd, and Pastor J. H. Stephens, of the North Baptist Mission Church, and Mr M. Wright, of the Esk street Church.

Some time ago the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church Session sent a letter to Chaplain VV. Maclean, formerly connected with the church, congratulating him on having received the Military Cross. In replying from Torquay, under date nth April, Chaplain Maclean says: —"Kindly convey to the members of St. Paul’s my very keen appreciation of their congratulatory message and assure than that the knowledge of their kindly remembrance o: my association with St. Paul's congregation gives me the liveliest satisfaction. Believe me. I have not forgotten my short stay among you. You will be rejoicing in the safe icturn of your minister from many and real dangers, and I pr'ay for you a time of renewed prosperity under his ministry, winch must be greatly enriched by his experiences at the front,” The membership of First Church Senior Y.M.B.C. totals d-, with an average attendance of IS. Recently one of their members who has been on active service, Peter McCailuni, was welcomed back to their midst. The Junior B.C. has a membership of 30. Both classes would be glad to welcome any young men who would care to join them. The annual meeting of the Feet street Methodist choir was Iwei in Jubilee Hall on Tuesday last, the pre.-idmi, Mr B. Undrill, in the chair. TSe secretary’* an’d treasurer’s report, given by V- P, Lindsay, was of a most satisfacM ry character, and in spite of losses sustained through the claims of the war the choir had maintained fs numerical strength. Urea; regret was expressed at the expected immediate departure of the organist, Mr McLean, who. tiring a lieu’enant in the Territorial-, goes imo camp as an officer of that standing. The following officebearers were elected for the ensuing year:— Choirmaster, Mr W. Mewart: president. Mr B. L’ndnll: secret ary am! treasurer. Miss H. Lindsay; vice-presidents, Lev. A. Peters, Messrs .1. Stem!. P,. Wcsney, J. J. Wcsney, "SV. Ferguson. Co U. George, ,-V. Noble. A. F. Hawke, and Mrs Lindsay. At the close of the business a most- enjoyable social was held in honour of Mr McLean, and appreciative addresses of Mr McLean and his efficient services as an organist were given by Rev. A. Peters and oMi'Ts.

The Rev. cl. IR-rcn-. \v!;o was chaplain at the recent termer!;-! camp in the Show ground, preached at hirst Church last Sunday morning.

A wribr in the •■Choir" magazine says of music in the church; “It is our bounden duty to organise all the forces available for the uplifting of the people; and music is by no means the least of these, it is rather one of the m< si powerful. In fact, there are probably to-d;;y many people as deeply influenced by good music as by sermons.’’

Some time ago the children of Knox Sunday school sent parcels to all the Knox boys at the front. 1.a.-t Sunday afternoon the superintendent read se\cral very interesting letters from some of ;he soldiers who greatly appreciated the gdts of the young peopile. One small boy had tucked his name and address int-o his contribution to the parcel fund, and was made glad by a special letter from the front. The annua! meeting of the Don street C.E. Society was held last Tuesday, Rev. Slade presiding. 'j.he report showed that the year had been' a most successful one. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: —President, Rev. Slade; vice-presi-dents. Miss Varcoe and Mr Stephens; secretary- Miss Ethel Bain; treasurer, Miss B. Ayling; pi anist, Miss C. Ashley. The committees formed were: —Sunshine, Mission, Social, anti Musical. The many friends of the Rev. W. 11. Burridge will be glad to know til at he is to resume the pastorate of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. He will preach both morning and evening on Sunday next. A welcome home social has been arranged to take place in Victoria Hall on Monday evening. All returned soldiers, parents and friends who are desirous of meeting Mr Burridge will be heartily welcome. The Rev. E. W. Walker, who lately left Bluff for Leeatpn, Canterbury, paid a short

visit to Invercargill on Friday last on his way to Tasmania to visit his home. At Knox Church on Sunday afternoon next at 2.30, and at First Church at 3.15. Mrs Harrison Lee Cowie, lecturer for the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, will address gatherings of children from the various Sunday schools on the all-important subject of temperance. No one is better qualified than Mrs Cowie to speak on this matter. She has made it her study. Adults who wish to hear Mrs Cowie will have an opportunity as she will speak in the Victoria Hall in the evening after church services. There was a good attendance at the meeting of the Mission to Lepers on Wednesday last in the Y.M.C.A. rooms. Donations for tfie month amounting to £26 Is 6d were reported and arrangements were made for collecting during the winter. As usual some time was spent in prayer for the work among the lepers. The next general meeting of the Presbyterian Sabbath Schools Association will be held in Knox schoolroom, Conon street, on 17 th June. Writing on 3rd April to a member of St. Paul’s Church, Private John Hamilton mentions that he had been at Sling Camp and a few days before leaving for France met Bill Young (another St. Paul's boy). Private Hamilton had received a post card from Will Shardlow, who was in hospital. Ho had also met Horace Newman, Peter Scully, E. Edginton, and Simon Fraser. A very successful anniversary concert and social took place in the Methodist Church, Bluff, on Wednesday. Proceedings opened with a hymn and Rev. Skuse introduced the chairman for the evening. Rev. A. Peters, of Leet street, Invercargill. Rev. Skuse has occupied this charge for the last three months only, but already he is a general favourite in the Bluff. A musical programme was submitted, some items being very well rendered and many encores insisted upon. Mr Johnson read the balance sheet" and report, which proved the church finance to be in a satisfactory condition. Supper was then handed round by the ladies. The singing of the National Anthem and the pronouncing of the Benediction brought a very enjoyable evening to a close. Melrose College will open next week. Preparations for the coming term are well in hand. Owing to the tax upon the dining room accommodation, provision has had to be made for another sitting room. An increase of boarders and pupils is anticipated. The committee are advertising for another teacher in order that the Principal may devote herself more especially to the secondary work. First Church P.W.M.U. have so far secured over £SO for their own missionary. It is their intention to raise sufficient money apart from the ordinary missionary contributions to pay for “our own” missionary of First Church on the Foreign Field. A distinct loss will he sustained by the community in the departure of Mr McLean, the organist of St. Paul’s Methodist Church, who goes into camp on Monday next. Mr McLean is not only an efficient organist who is greatly esteemed by a large circle of friends,, but a very popular officer in the Territorials. It is the purpose of the Leet street choir and congregation to give him a social and fitting send-off when he returns to Invercargill on final leave. At the service to-morrow evening words of farewell and appreciation will be spoken by the. minister. A correspondent suggests a choir competition in aid of Red Cross funds. He states “a choir contest is always a sure draw, and even if choirs have been hard hit by the loss of men going to the front there are in all churches old choir members who would willingly come forward to assist for such a cause. It would instil new life into the choirs and result in the handing of a large sum to an agency requiring all the help that can be given.”