CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 18834, 29 May 1920, Page 2

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

FROM PULPIT AND PEW. There should be a large attendance tomorrow at the special services to be held in the Don street and Leet street churches in connection with the Great Assembly Day. Interest in these sendees has been growing and a great amount of organising and preparatory work has been done to make them successful. Special music will be rendered by the choir at both services. In the evening Mr J. M. Murray will sing a solo. After the ordinary evening service the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be administered and members’ tickets issued. The Rev. Harold Sharp will occupy the pulpit at both services and will speak in the evening on “The World’s Rest Giver.” The Right Rev. J. A. Asher, moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly, will preach at Wallacetown to-morrow morning, at Rynl Bush in the afternoon and at First Church in the evening.

The St. Andrew's Ladies’ Guild held a gift evening in the church last Wednesday. The stormy weather did not interfere with the attendance and there was a large gath ering of young people present. Games and competitions filled the programme and a few items added to the enjoyment of the evening, which was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem and the pronouncing of the Benediction.

The Rev. Hector Maclean has been delivering a series of lectures in Dunedin this week in connection with the youth of the church work of the Presbyterian Church. To-morrow 'Mr Maclean will preach in Knox Church, Dunedin. The Rev. Geo. S. Campbell, of Dunedin, will occupy the pulpit of Knox Church, Invercargill, at both services to-morrow.

On Tuesday evening next in Stobo Hall the congregation of First Church will entertain the moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Rev. J. A. Asher. Arrangements are already well in hand and an enjoyable function is assured. A short musical programme will be rendered and time will be given for social intercourse. Refreshments will also be served. It is hoped that many of Mr Asher’s old friends in Invercargill will take this opportunity of renewing their friendship with him, and the congregation of First Church will be glad to welcome any such. It seems pretty certain that on such an occasion there will be not a few very interesting reminiscences which should give keen delight to many old residents of the town.

One of those quiet and strenuous workers, who never appear in the limelight, but serve their church e.nd people nobly, is leaving (he Southland Presbytery. This is the Rev. W. F. Finlay, who has signified his intention of resigning his charge at Fortrose. A congregational meeting, presided over by the Rev. A. C. Wedderspoon, Woodlands, was held in the church on Wednesday night, when, after many addresses expressing appreciation and regret, the following motion was unanimously agreed to: — 1 This congregation has learned with deep regret of the Rev. W. F. Finlay’s desire to demit the charge. For fifteen and a half years Mr Finlay has exorcised his ministry among us, and has ever been the unostentatious Christian gentleman. His pulpit work has been most acceptable, his pastoral duties have been most faithfully performed and his services in public and private have been apprecia’ed by old and young alike. We rejoice to know that, in spite of his lifelong ministry spent in arduous country parishes, Mr Finlay retires from the active work with a fair measure of health and strength, and we pray that he may be spared for many years to enjoy the comparative leisure of his retirement, and that in less strenuous activities he may be able to serve the church which he has loved so well. While parting with our beloved minister with the deepest regret, we cannot, in view of his expressed desire, place any obstacle in the way of his resignation being accepted by the Presbytery. We should like to cordially recognise the services of Mrs Finlay, who has been for over forty years a Sunday school teacher, and has in every way proved herself a true helpmeet to her husband and worker in the church.” Mr Finlay’s resignation will be considered by the Southland Presbytery on Tu«-,o<lay ( June 1. A very successful sale of work was held in the Makarr-wa Hall by the Ladies’ Guild of the Presbyterian Church. The bazaar, which was in aid of the Sunday school building fund, was opened by the pastor, the Rev. W. J. Robertson. In his opening remarks Mr Robertson stated that there were upwards of 70 children attending the Sunday school and the accommodation in the church was inadequate to cope effectively with this number. Moreover, in view of the growing settlement in the district it was increasingly desirable that better accommodation be provided, hence the present effort. Although the day was an exceedingly inclement one the attendance was considerable and the interest keen, as was abundantly witnessed to by the fact that the sum of £73 in cash was taken. The ladies of (he Guild are desirous of thanking all those who so liberally donated goods, produce and money, and they themselves are to be congratulated for their enterprise and energy. An exchange of pulpits has been arranged and the Rev. J. H. Robertson, of Queenstown. will officiate in his brother’s pulpits at Myross, Makarewa and Waikiwi on Sunday.

First Church is 1o have the honour of the presence of the Right Rev. J. A, Asher, moderator of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church, who will preach at the evening service to-morrow. Owing to Mr Ashers past connection with First Church congregation, his visit is being looked forward to with keen anticipation. The Men’s League in connexion with St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church held its inaugural meeting for the year on Thursday evening at the Federal tea rooms. Mr G. Cruickshank presided, and over thirty men sat down to table. After dinner had been served and the toasts of the King and the Prince of Wales had been honoured, Mr Cruickshank. on behalf of the League, extended a hearty welcome to their new minister, the Rev. H. G, Gilbert, who, in replying, expressed his great pleasure at being their guest that evening and his earnest desire that the League might continue to play an important part in the church life of Pt. Paul’s. Mr McDonald, on behalf of the First Church League, congratulated Pt.

Paul’s branch on its strength and enthusiasm and outlined the sphere of usefulness such a body might reasonably be expectedto fill. A lengthy toast list was honoured and songs, music and many highly humorous speeches added greatly to th.e evening’s enjoyment. Mr Mclnnes presided at the piano. It was decided to bold the next meeting on Monday, June 14. The hearty nature of the proceedings augurs well for the success of the League’s winter session. The committee of the P.S.S.A. and the staff of Gladstone Home wish to thank all the voluntary iielpers who rendered suth. excellent service in staffing the Home during the recent outbreak of influenza there, special mention being made of help given by Mesdames J. Collie, N. Todd, Moir, T. Hide, James Macalister, W. G. Tait and Misses Muir and Hardie. Also to Nurse Kerse for her assictance and Nurse Wilson, of Waikiwi, who was in charge for two weeks.. Thanks are also offered to the many friends who sent donations of beeftea, soups, pudding, fruit, etc., these gifts being much appreciated by the children and staff.

Mr A. J. Ker is visiting the Forest Hill parish on Sunday in the interest of the local Presbyterian Social Sendee Association. The secretary of the Presbyterian Social Service Association visited the LumsdenMossburn parish recently, addressing the congregations at Mossburn, Castle Rock, and Lumsden on the work of the association and appealing to them for funds towards the support of Cameron and Gladstone Homes. The visit was a very successful one, Mr Ker meeting with a liberal response to his appeal, receiving donations amounting to £SO 7s and promises of ten dressed sheep, these to be sent to the homes when required. Considerable interest was shown in the association’s work and the matrons of the homes can look forward to some pleasant surprise* from the ladies of this parish. Mr Ker is loud in his praise of the hospitality extended to him.