CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 19508, 6 May 1922, Page 2

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

FROM PULPIT AND PEW, A social gathering was held in St. Peter’s Methodist Church on Monday evening as a welcome to the Rev. J. H. Haslam and family. There was a large attendance, Mr C. I. Paton, circuit steward, occupying the chair. Addresses were given by Revs. Collie, bharp, and Carlyle, Messrs A. Mitchell (First), G. Brown (Sunday School) and J. Hensley (choir). A member of the Junior Endeavour Society, Miss Gladys Hall, presented Mrs Haslam with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Proceedings throughout were enthusiastic. Rev. Haslam, in acknowledging the splendid welcome from the various speakers, asked for the co-operation and assistance of all members and friends to continue the good work that is being carried on at St. Peter’s ; he anticipated and looked forward to progressive work. During the evening the choir rendered two anthems and a glee in their usual finished manner. Misses Skipworth and Leete rendered a vocal duet in a pleasing manner. Mire Williamson delighted her hearers with one of her dainty songs. Refreshments were handed round and the benediction at 10.30 p.m. closed a most enjoyable evening. The Youth of Church Committee have received particulars of the proposed itinerary of Mr W. C. Pearce, Associate General Secretary of the World’s Sunday School Association, who has now started on his world Sunday School tour in the interest of Sunday School organisation. Mr Pearce will visit Spain, Italy, Constantinople, Egypt, India, Burma, Malay, Australia, New Zealand and the Orient. The time allotted to our Dominion is two weeks—eight days for travel and six days for meetings. Mr Pearce expects to arrive in Sydney on May 26, and after conducting his mission in Australia will come on to New Zealand, where he may be looked for about the beginning of July. The General Secretary of the World’s Sunday School Association writes : “This trip should be extremely fruitful in preparing the way for a distinct Sunday School advance in all of these countries. We ask you to join in remembrance of this mission in your prayers. Daily at 11.45 a.m. prayer is made for the world-wide Sunday School work in the offices of the World’s Sunday School Association in the Metropolitan Tower, New York.” “ Break of Day Christmas Present.”—ln the list of subscriptions to the “Child Welfare Centre at Jagadhri” it will be noted that amongst the very highest subscriptions throughout New Zealand is Anderson’s Bay Sunday School, of which half the attendance is made un of boys and girls from the P.S.S.A. Homes. (It will be remembered that each Sunday School scholar was expected to earn 3d and give it to the “Break of Day” Fund). The teachers of Anderson’s Bay S.S. collected money from their friends, secured the co-operation of the matrons of our Homes, and by giving opportunity to the young folk to do some work beyond their regular home duties, enabled them to earn their 3d-bit for the “Break of Day” Christmas present. So our young charges have been able to do something to assist in carrying the Gospel of Love, Healing and Salvation to far distant India. This happens year after year at Christmas time. The Church is under a debt of gratitude to the faithful workers in the Anderson’s Bay Church, who, for fifteen years, have done so much for the little ones in Grant’s Braes and Glendining Homes. At a meeting of the Ministers’ Association it was decided to accede to a request by country people for a sermon in the daily paper once a week. This will appear every Wednesday, and the sermons will be contributed by the local ministers. Archbishop Redwood is reported to have jßfldd that with the exemption of catholic churches all the churches are becoming empty, and people do not know their way to church. The Rev. Harold Sharp disagrees with the illustrious Bishop, and will have something to say on the matter in the Leet Street Methodist Church on Sunday night. St. Andrew’s P.W.M.U. held its quarterly open meeting on Tuesday last, when there was a fair attendance. It was a hearty meeting, and the Rev. J. Collie’s address on “ Reasons why Christians should be interested in Missions,” was most inspiring. Afternoon tea was afterwards handed round, and the meeting was brought to a close by the pronouncing of the Benediction. Harvest Thanksgiving services were held throughout the Winton parish last Sunday and on Monday evening a veiy successful concert was given by the choir and friends. The proceeds, in aid of Home Missions, amounted to £2O. The Rev. Geo. Budd, of Auckland, convenor of Presbyterian Home Missions, is at present in Southland, and during the coming week expects to visit the parishes from Winton onwards, calling on all the Home Mission charges in Southland before leaving again for the North Island. The monthly meeting of the *Y’ branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Monday. Sister Janet was present and was welcomed by the Union. In replying, Sister Janet voiced her sympathy with outwork. After the business Miss Stewart gave a very interesting report of the Dominion convention recently held in Hamilton. It is hoped that the Rev. J. L. Robinson will address the meeting in June. The April, meeting took the form of a social given by the boy-members. The evening quickly passed with games and competitions. A song by Miss Blackmore and a recitation by Mr Manson were very much appreciated. The singing was brought to a close by the singing of Auld Lang Syne and God Save the King. • The Presbyterian churches at Orepuki, Wallacetown, Wianiwa and Waimatuku have each sent in assortments of dairy produce, fruit, and vegetables, to Gladstone Home which is one of the two homes of the Presbyterian Social Service Association and is under the capable management of Mias Miller. Cameron Home has also received consignments from the Woodlands and Wyndham congregations. The homes share with each other when either happens to be short of a line or is unequally stocked. Ryal Bush Church sent in 18/- and Winton congregation £l3 14s 6d making a total from them within the last month and more of £4l. The treasurer, Mr Cumming, had rather a pleasing experience during the week when a lady called upon him and banded over £l5 being from £5 from each of her friends and £5 from herself.