CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 19230, 21 May 1921, Page 2

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

FROM PULPIT AND PEW. A very successful social was held in Stobo Hall on Thursday evening last, when the congregation of First Chun|i gathered in large numbers for social intercourse and to receive certain recommendations from the Kirk Session and the Deacons’ Court. A proposal to revert to the system of life tenure of deacons was adopted. A very interesting discussion took place on the proposal from the Deacons' Court recommending the congregation to adopt the duplex envelope system of church finance, and after the matter had been well ventilated the proposal was unanimously approved. A very excellent programme was gone through to which Mesdames Anderson and Carter, Misses Ashley and Dickson and Mr Carter contributed, Miss Hay providing the accompaniments. Supper was provided by the Deacons’ Court and a very’ enjoyable gathering was brought to-a close shortly after 10 o’clock with the singing of the Doxology. The Rev. Francis Worley, of the China Inland Mission, conducted the service at the Central Methodist Church last Sunday evening, when there was a very large congregation. The Rev. H. Sharp took part in the service and welcomed Mr Worley on behalf of the officers and members. The address given by the eminent missionary was most interesting and helpful, and would no doubt deepen the interest of all who heard it in the work of the C.I.M.

Social services in connection with the Lumsden Presbyterian Sunday School were held in the Church on Sunday last. There were splendid attendances at both morning and evening service and at the school in the afternoon. The Rev. D. K. Fisher presided at the services both morning and evening, and special hymns were rendered. At the morning service Mrs McFetridge, representing the older S.S. staff, spoke a few words about the beginnings of the work among the boys and girls, more than thirty years ago. Although Mr and Mrs McFetridge are now retired from the more active work they are still interested in all that is going on and trust that God’s blessing will.rest upon the present S.S. staff, both scholars and teachers. Mr A. Allan, present superintendent, also addressed the meeting, and hoped that the parents and the older people would still rally round the S.S. workers and encourage them in their arduous service. He said it was intended soon to introduce a Maori Birthday League among the girte and boys and urged the parents to give this scheme their support. During the service the junior choir rendered suitable hymns. There was a large attendance at the evening sendee when the Rev. D. K. Fisher preached from the words of St. Paul to Timothy “From a child thou hist known the Holy Scriputures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation.” Stress was laid upon the necessity for religious knowledge still, of all Christian instruction in the saving of the life and the uplifting of the people. It rested primarily, as in the case of Timothy, with the parents and with the Christian Church to see that the holy writings were made known to the young. There was responsibility in the fitting dis- ' charge of this duty and there was obligation I on the nart of the young and uninstructed to listen to and receive such necessary and sanctifying education. The choir, under the leadership of Mr R. N. Wilson, contributed appropriate hymns and solos. The first meeting of the winter session of the Methodist Literary, Social and Devotional Society will be held in the Young Men's Institute on Friday night, when the Rev. H. Sharp will speak on the “Life and Letters of James Smetham.” A very excellent syllabus has been prepared and the society should have a very successful season. Two evenings will be devoted to socials in which there will be a short drama staged by members. The Hon J. A. Hanan will speak on “The Advantages and Disadvantages of J Party Government.” The Rev J. Collie is down for a paper oi the “Ethics of Supply and Demand,” while Mr John Stead is fixed i for an address on “Great Men I Have Met. 1 ’ Invercargill Presbyterian Bible Class mem- f bers, about fifty st*ong, journeyed to Winton on Wednesday evening last for the purpose of stimulating interest in Bible Claes work among the country classes. The Winton Sunday Schoo' Hall, in which the rally was held, was filled with Bible Class members and friends from all round the district, delegates from Wilton, Centre Bush, Heddon Bush, Browns, Oreti Plains, Drummond and other classes beiig present. The Rev. Mr McNeur, of Winton, occupied the chair, and with him on tin platform were the Revs. Morgan (Centreßush), Ross (Browns), and J. Lawson Robixson, of First Church, Invercargill. Mr Mclean, the first speaker, took for his subject "The Aims and Objects of Bible Class Woic,” with which he dealt in a very able manier. Mr Gordon Reed then gave a very interesting addra-s on the work of the district lommittees, which was thoroughly discussed. The third speaker of the evening was the Rev. J. Lawson Robinson, who clearly arri concisely explained the relation of the Youth Committee of the Presbytery to the District Committees. Mrs Collie, the president of the ladies’ executive, gave a very interesting and instructive address on the w>rk of the Ladies’ Committee. The subject “?our-Square, and what it is” was chosen by Mr Tom Brown, of First Church, and le explained very clearly the good work d>ne b ythe magazine of the Young Men’s Union. A roll call of the classes was tiken and showed that all the Invercargill casses were represented. After a hearty vote of thanks was accorded re visiting speahrs and others, on the motion

'of Mr Adam Hamilton, M.P., Ripper was J served by the country classes and a very enjoyable and profitable rally was brought to a close. The Invercargill delegates reached town shortly after midnight. The Central Methodist Y.W.B.C. have organised a social which will be held in the Jubilee Hall on Wednesday night. Judging from reports of the preparatory work the girls have put into this it promises to be one of the very best. Gentlemen will he charged one shilling and ladies will be admitted by the gift of a basket containing the usual delicacies for supper. The minister who works faithfully in the backblocks for years, only to see his flock tending citywards is apt to become disheartened. The following, clipped from the Baptist, should encourage the country clergymen. A pastor living in Maine went to Boston to see what had become of the people who had passed through his church during several years. Finding that they were running the Boston churches he returned with new inspiration, concluding that his best work was that of baptising more young people to keep the city churches going. It is proposed to raise £45,000 to further and develop the varied interests of the Methodist Church in New Zealand. It is proposed to erect a memorial church at Kaeo. The Rev. Thomas Skuse, of the Bluff Methodist Church, will preach in Don street and Leet street Methodist Churches on Sunday. On Sunday evening in Knox Church the Rev. John Chisholm will commence a series of monthly addresses to young people on, Great books as life teachers. The subject for Sunday evening will be Ruskin’s “Seven Lamps of Artchitecture.** One of the last official acts of Josephus Daniels as Secretary of the United States Navy, was an order enjoining a proper observance of Sunday, so that the men should be provided with the rest and recreation essential to efficiency. In 1864 President Lincoln enjoined the orderly observance of the Sabbath by the officers and men in the Army and Navy. The President’s order ended: “The discipline and character of the national forces should not suffer, nor the cause they defend be imperilled by the profanation of the day or the name of the Most High.”