CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 18927, 28 April 1923, Page 7

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

FROM PULPIT AND PEW. On Tuesday April 18 the Pine Bush Bible Class held the first of a series of small socials to be continued during the winter months. The design being to have every young man and woman in the district interested in the work of the Bible Class movement. The gathering comprised some sixty young people. Mr Andrews rendered several fine recitations. Song items were provided by Miss Wilson, Miss Kilpatrick and Mr McFadzien and violin selections by Miss Alice Somerville. A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close with a substantial supper provided by the lady members. The subject to be "dealt with by Rev. Harold Sharp on Sunday night in connec tion with “The Mission to the Modern Mind,” is “Prayer and the Reign of Law.” Mr J. M. Murray will be the soloist. The secretary of the Foreign Mission Committee (Rev. A. Don) reported at the monthly meeting that the Rev A. Davies, M.A. (Canton Village Mission) had held thirty-three meetings in Otago, Southland and Canterbury, with a total attendance of 1014; the collections totalling £4l 2s 3d, included £2 5s contributed by the Chinese in Invercargill to the Union Theological College in Canton, and £8 by the Chinese in Timaru to the Canton Sites and Building Fund. At the Y.M.B.C. Easter Camp at Whare Flat £l7O was subscribed and promised for Bible Class mission funds. The Otatara Methodist Church was filled to its utmost capacity on Tuesday night .vhen a concert was given by members of the town church. Songs were sung by Viesdames Sharp, Gilmour, Macdonald, Leete, Dr Brown and Mr J. E. Taylor ,also by Rev J. H. Haslam. Mrs Macdonald acted as accompanist. Miss Aitken de lighted the audience by her artistic elocution. Supper was provided by the Otatara friends. The sale of produce followed the ‘oncert and Mr A. S. Froggatt made a first :lass salesman. The statement of receipts "nd expenditure was read by Rev H. Sharp. \fter all liabilities had been met in connection with the building of the new vestry there was a credit balance of £lO 3s lOd. The annual meeting of the South In vercargill Anglican Church parishioners will 'e held in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evenng. After the meeting a welcome social vill be tendered to the Rev Mr Thompson '.nd Mrs Thompson.

The Otara Bible Class held a social evenng in the school on Thursday 20th inst. Fhe night was a very fine one and a large ;athering of young people assembled. A nost enjoyable evening was spent in games, ‘.ompetitions with musical items interspersed. The class promises to be a very hearty one and well attended. Rev D. leggie and Mr D. McFadzien are joint eaders. In a letter written from New York on February 6 Miss Salmond reported that iho is now comfortably settled in a warm ittle room at 617 West 115th street; he registered yesterday as a student of Columbia University—a great event. Her course promises to be very interesting. She has been able to secure lodgings at a ■easonable rate.

“A Sinner’s Prayer,” and “The First Christian Martyr” are the subjects chosen by the Rev. H. G. Gilbert for the services at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Dee street, to-morrow.

A very pleasing function took place at Riverton on Monday evening, April 23, under the auspices of the Women’s Christan Temperance Union, when a branch of the Young People’s Christian Temperance Union was formed by Mrs Young, Dominion “Y” superintendent, and Mrs Lillicrap, district President of Southland who gave an inspiring address on temperance work, urging one and all to study their Bibles and □ray more diligently, which would assuredly help them to win the great victory. Mrs Young urged temperance workers to join up and form a “Y” Branch, emphasising that “unity meant strength,” and as their cause was for God and Home and Humanity it was right and could not fail. Reference to back records showed that since the Temperance Union was first formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1874, nothing but success and good had followed this movement. The same successes were looked for from the “Y” Branches. After showing that the Union stood for a great deal more than the abolution of the liquor traffic, there being in the constitution 28 different planks so that every member could find some work that they were specially fitted for. Mrs Young called for members, and a long row of bright, enthusiastic young people came forward, who were initiated and the Riverton Young People’s Christian Temperance Union was formed. Musical items and supper brought an enjoyable and memorable evening to a close. The Rev. J. L. Robinson, of First Church, left by this morning’s express for Christchurch, where he is to conduct anniversary services at Knox Church. His place at First Church to-morrow will be filled bj the Rev. F. M. Beattie, of Dunedin. The Waimatuku Bible Class held its picnic on Saturday April 14 in the Waimatuku Hall, owing to the inclemency of the weather, where a pleasant afternoon was spent with the children. It was with regret that it was learned of Miss Winder’s intended departure, as she voluntarily taught the Bible Class. On Monday last the working members of the Southland Bible Class District Committee again journeyed forth this time to Makarewa. There was no class there but it had been the desire of several to start one. The weather was very unpleasant and not many young people attended the meeting but the desired goal was attained and a class formed under the leadership of Mrs Hazlett. Mrs Horwell presided. Sister Janet, Rev. Chisholm and Mr T. Brown spoke and a duet was rendered by Sister Janet and Miss E. Gardiner.

Harvest Thanksgiving services were held in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church last Sunday. On the Monday night following the vegetables etc were sold. Items were given by Mrs Jones, Mrs Miller, Miss Aitken, Miss Jack and Mr Jones. The Rev. J. L. Robinson was present and helped to make the sale a success. Mr A. Paterson acted as salesman.

A very impressive memorial service was conducted by the Rey. J. L. Robinson at Frist Church on Anzac Day. An address was given dealing on the hope of immortality. Special anthems were rendered by the choir.

The secretary of the Presbyterian Orphanages desire to acknowledge through the courtesy of the Southland Times the receipt of thanksgiving donations consisting of fruit, jam, honey, eggs, cake, potatoes, and vegetables from Centre Bush, and Limehills, Wyndham and First Church congregations, also one dressed sheep from Limehills church; a regular weekly supply of meat from Mr Stewart, Tay Street, and one dressed sheep weekly for the past three months from the Southland Frozen Meat Company. The meetings all day Sunday at the S.A. Hall, Tay street, will be conducted by Commissioner Hoggard, Officer in Charge of “The Army’s” operations in the Dominion, who has had a wide experience of this organisation’s work in many lands. A special invitation is given to the public to be present. On Monday night the Commissioner will recite his experiences in Korea, and as he pioneered the work in that country, a rare opportunity is afforded to those interested of gaining first-hand information regarding the customs, etc., of these people. The proceeds will go to the fund for the new hall. The Hon. J. A. Hanan will preside.