CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 18810, 1 May 1920, Page 2

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

FROM PULPIT AND PEW.

If you wish for success in life, make perserverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counsellor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.— Addison. The Auckland Presbytery assembled at Prior’s Restaurant to entertain Rev. J. Asher, Moderator of the General Assembly. Two long tables had been tastefully laid, and a goodly muster of the brethren having arrived, the Moderator seated himself at the head of the table with the Right Rev. the Moderator on his right hand, and having asked a blessing upon the proceedings, the feast of wit. wisdom, good fellowship, and fat things was begun. At its close Rev. D. J. Albert, in a few words, welcomed Mr Asher to Auckland, and to the fellowship of the Presbytery. Proceeding, he regretted the fact that he was almost a stranger to Mr Asher, and called upon Mr Jolly, as one of the Moderator’s oldest friends, to say the things which he was not in a position to say. Mr Jolly responded, rising to the occasion, and filling one at least of his brethren with dismay at the poverty of his own abilities. Mr Asher’s speech in response was characterised by dignity, gentleness, great kindness, and brevity. It should be added that the dinner was excellent, and that the Presbytery is greatly indebted to Mr Prior and his staff for the satisfactory arrangements made for the occasion. The St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union has been trying to do its share to sustain the work of the foreign missions. A novel entertainment was held last Wednesday night called a rainbow evening. The church was beautifully decorated with rainbows, large and small, and the ladies in attendance wore dainty little paper caps with a rainbow round the edge. A large supply of ice cream was sold by two of the ladies in spite of the chilly weather, and the refreshment room did a big trade also. Games and competitions were played and a few songs by Miss Allison and Messrs Henderson and Garson were greeted with hearty applause. The evening was brought to a close by the Benediction. The proceeds amounted to about £6. A very pleasant social gathering of the Sabbath School teachers and Bible Class leaders of the Roslyn Church, Dunedin, was held on Saturday evening, 10th inst., to welcome Lieutenant-Colonel Colquhoun, D.5.0., who has undertaken the duties of Sabbath School superintendent. The Rev. expressed the profound gratification of all present at having secured the services of one whose distinguished record promised so much for the success of the school. „ At the M i ixiii Presbyterian Church, Dunedin, on fcunday morning, ISth inst., the preacher (Rev. H. Barton, M.A./ intimated that the Deacons’ Court had accepted the tender of Mr W. McLeOand for the erection of a new brick church at the top of Driver’s road. The contract price is £8998. This was rendered possible by the generous donation of £3500 from one of the office-bearers of the church, who has from time to time shown a kindly and practical interest in its all airs. The new church will have a handsome appearance, and the site is one of the best in Maori Hill. The architect, for the work is Mr D. G. Mowat, A.N.Z.IA. The members of Knox Church Ladies’ Guild have been working quietly, but very diligently during the past months in connection with the forthcoming bazaar. Although they have not been able to top the list for some months, they are quite confident of occupying that position at the finish. The Deacons’ Court is another organisation that, is working very quietly, and it might surprise' a few to sec this band of willing helpers come away and leave the others behind. The Rev. D. Calder, 8.A., of Mosgiel is to conduct the Harvest Thanksgiving services in the Myross and Waikiwi Presbyterian churches to-morrow. All the gifts of produce etc. received are to be forwarded to the Presbyterian Orphanage at Gladstone.

The monthly meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery was held on April 14, when the Rev. J. C. Paterson presided over a meeting of 17 ministers and 8 ciders. An elders’ commission from Lyttelton in favour of Mr A. H. of St. Paul’s, was sustained. Plev. W. McAra was associated with the Presbytery. The Home Mission Committee wrote intimating its consent to the ordination of Mr W. Lewis, Oxford West, as a home missionary, and Revs. G. G. Howes (convener,!, R. M. Ryburn, W. H. Howes, and Messrs W. ’ H. Rose and J. Smith were appointed a commission to carry out the ordination and also the triennial visitation. The report of the visitation of Waiau was given in by Rev. W. H. Howes and a finding expressing appreciation of the good work of the minister, Rev. J. H. Thomson, and his officebearers in this extensive parish was adopted. Rev. Hr Lrwin was appointed to represent the Presbytery in the forthcoming functions in connection with the Prince of Wales’s visit. It was understood that it was the wish of the Ashburton Presbytery that Dr Erwin should represent them also. Progress reports in connection with the Foreign Mission crisis and Home Mission campaign were made. The remit under the Barrier Act re junior communicants’ roll was disapproved. Rev Mr Kirkland reported that Mr Heard was appointed to succeed Mr Paton at Cheviot. In connection with the Augmentation Regulations, it was decided to recommend Papanui, stipend £2OO, Riccarton, £2OO, and Kaiapoi for a grant as per Regulations. The Presbytery’s “small stipends” committee had been successful in inducing a number of charges to raise the stipend, Kaiapoi, Halkett, St. Peter’s, Malvern, Southbridge, and Rangiora having done so since last statistics, and Akaroa and Papanui gave a bonus. An application from New Brighton for a loan of £7OO from the New Century Fund to redeem existing mortgage on the manse was endorsed. Rev. W. H. Howes was appointed to collect and compile the Presbytery statistics. A request from Mr F. Charman, late of Spreydon, was granted. A very encouraging report was received from Mr Norton, the “returned” student at Hanmer. Rev. R. M. Ryburn intimated receipt of a donation of £250 for religious instruction and of the intention to establish a school for young children with voluntary fees. As this involved a question of church policy, a committee consisting of Revs. J. Paterson (convener), Dr Erwin, Ryburn, J. C. Paterson, Rodger, Rule, and Messrs Rose and McPherson were appointed to consider and report to next Presbytery. Rev. D. D. Rodger asked what parishes desired the services of Mr Biseett, evangelist, and in the meantime Akaroa, Riccarton, Lincoln, and New Brighton applied. The meeting adjourned to May 12. On Wednesday night last the members and adherents of Esk street Baptist Church gathered for a social evening of farewell to Rev. Mr and Mrs Hughes. After a musical programme, Mr C. S. Longuet presented Mr Hughes with a leather wallet containing £25 in bank notes as an appreciation of his splendid work and a mark of the esteem in which he was held by all connec- | ted with the church. The speaker jocu- ’

larly remarked that Mr Hughes might keep the wallet as a keepsake if he so wished, but the money was to be equally divided with Mrs Hughes. Mr J. S. Baiter spoke on behalf of the Temperance Reform Council. The Rev. Harold Sharp voiced the appreciation of the Ministers’ Association and regretted the loss of so willing a worker as Mr Hughes. Rev. Hughes made a feeling reply. After supper had been dispensed the meeting closed with the Benediction. In the course of his sermon last Sunday evening, Rev. Harold Sharp said: “When I read the old world story of David longing for water from the well of Bethlehem, and of his men breaking through the lines of the enemy, bringing back the water and handing it to the King, and the King taking that water, pouring it upon the ground saying T cannot drink that water, it is too sacred for me,’ it seemed to me that it provided a parallel to the deeds of our men and to the spirit that we might show today in relation to their wondrous gallantry. The story of Anzac had to grow older before the heroism and glory connected with it can be fully appreciated. We are standing too near the mountain to see its grandeur. It is only when we recede and looked back that we understand how sublime and how glorious it is. The story of Anzac is destined to grow upon the hearts and imaginations of men the world over until it is seen in all its peerless lustre and shining renown.” Mrs T. W. Walker was entertained last Tuesday afternoon at a “farewell" At Home given in Lewis’s Tea Rooms, by Mesdamea G. Chewings and J. T. F. Mitchell. Mrs J. A. Hanan, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Y.W.CA. presented Mrs Walker with a travelling rug in appreciation of the faithful service rendered by her during the seven years she has been a member of the Board of Directors. A second presentation was made on behalf of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Y.M.C.A. Mrs Walker leaves Invercargill with the good wishes of her many friends.