CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 18951, 26 May 1923, Page 7

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

FROM PULPIT AND PEW. Rev D. J. Campbell will take the morning and evening service at the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Sunday. The Rev J. Lawson Robinson will take for his subject of Sunday evening “The Essentials of the Christian Character, twelve The Perfect Man.” Last Saturday evening a social was held in Stobo Hall by the Junior Young Women’s Bible Class of the First Church. Supper was handed round and the singing of Auld Lang Syne, brought a most enjoyable evening to a close. The Rev Raymond Richards of Otautau will be the preacher on Sunday morning in the Central Methodist Church. Mr Richards has been a contributor of many very able and clever articles to a number of journals and is a forceful and interesting preacher. The Rev Harold Sharp has been conducting a series of special mission services in the Otautau Methodist Church and will be the preacher there on Sunday next. At the Esk street Baptist Church on Sunday evening, Rev J. Carlisle will again preach from the subject, “In the Beginning God Created.” These addresses are creating considerable interest. It is very important in these days to know what we believe, and why we believe. Doubters are especially invited. The new Presbyterian Church erected at Hedgehope was opened on Sunday, May 20. It was built, as a memorial, to the men of the district, who fell in the Great War. Rev H. G. Gilbert, of St. Paul’s, Invercargill, who served with the forces, conducted the opening service. The church was filled to its utmost capacity, and proved too small to accommodate the congregation. The situation is one of the best in the district, having an elevated position on the highway, it can be seen from all points of this large scattered district, and provides a central place of meeting for regular public worship, and special church gatherings. The builder, Mr R. Kauia, an old resident of this district, has been careful to make the work of the finest description, and the re suit is, a beautiful church finished in the latest style, and forms a most fitting mem orial to the men who made the supreme sacrifice. The ladies of the congregation asked the committee of the church to accept the gift of a bell, and for the first time, in the centre, between Brown’s and Mat aura churches, covering a distance of 23 miles, this bell rang out its invitation to assemble for worship. Rev H. G. Gilbert, dedicated the church, to the “Honour and Glory of God,” and in memory of our fallen soldiers. Mrs Alexander of Invercar -'ill presented the congregation with a beau* tiful pulpit Bible in memory of Rev Ml Alexander of Woodlands Parish, who conducted the first service in Hedgehope, and from this Bible the Rev H. G. Gilbert tool his text, Deuteronomy eight chapter, second verse, “And thou shalt remember all ,th< way which the Lord thy God thee.* and spoke in eloquent language on thu theme, impressing upon the congregation, this truth that in the coming days, “W« must not forget.” The Rev Robert Hill conducted the evening service, and the choil under the leadership of Mr A. Brown led he praise. In conjunction with the dedication services, a social meeting was belt in Hedgehope Hall on Monday night, th* building being filled to overflowing. Th< speakers were the Revs Ross, Brown’s, Mo Nuer, Winton, Cox, Woodlands, who con veyed' to the congregation hearty con ’ratulations, on the completion of the nei church, and addressed works of encourage ment. Mrs Hill voiced a few words a thanksgiving on behalf of the children The choir of Woodlands’ Presbyteriai Church, under the leadership of Mr Alex ander, sang sweetly, anthems, solos am part songs, which were greatly appreciated by the audience. Mr Murray of Invercar gill, sang two songs, which were greatly enjoyed by all. The Rev R. B. Hill it a few concluding remarks proposed votes o’ thanks to singers, and Speakers. Mrs J. H. Pay, one of the oldest member/ of the Esk Street Baptist Church, who i.i leaving shortly for Te . Ahroa, was faro welled on Tuesday evening by the members and her many friends. Rev Carlisle in pre senting Mrs Pay with a handsome attach* case, mentioned her many fine qualities and fidelity to the church and wished hei health and happiness in her new home. Mj R. B. McKay suitably responded on behaL' of Mrs Pay. Musical and elocutional] items were given by the following, Mis: Stevenson, Mesdames Dewe, Schroeder anc Lewis, Messrs Wise, Dewe, Schroeder Wright and Ashley. On Thursday evening, the Youn/ Women’s Bible Class of the Central Metho dist Church held a most enjoyable and sue eessful concert in the Jubilee Hall, Earnslav street. The hall was absolutely packed and many could not obtain admittance Most of the success was due to the girls' leader, Mrs Stanley Brown, who arrange* everything in connection with the concert The evening took the form of a surprif? party and most of the girls either sang, re fited, or told humorous stories. The Limcr icks composed by Dr Brown were excep ricnally well put. The performers for th main part of the concert were:—Mis Madge Pyper, Miss Thelma Williams, Mis Doris Ayling, Miss Ethel Burtenshaw, Mia Elsie Wesney, Miss Gladys Padget, Mia Bessie Taylor, Miss Thelma Wesney, Dorothy Blackmore, and the Misseb T. am V. Green. A most successful concert ter minated with the singing of the Nations Anthem.

The Ladies’ Guild of St. Paul’s Presby ierian Church, an exceedingly live and suo cessful organisation, has every reason to bi gratified with its record of work. Accord mg to the last issue of the Church Recorc •he Guild, within the last five years, hai handed over £BBO to the Church Treasyroj towards the Debt Extinction Fund and cur rent expenses. Arrangements for thei; musical evening to be held in the churci next week are noifr well in hand, and the most successful time is anticipated. PRESBYTERIAN ORPHANAGES , APPEAL. (By the Rev. G. F. Cox, Woodlands). I have been asked to write an article setting forth the need and the claims of cur Invercargill Orphanages and I do so with pleasure, in the hope that thereby practical good may result. Picture to yourself a number of youngsters, happy, healthy vigorous afid contented, because about their there is a matron and assistants whose major aim it is to weave around the chil dren the mystic sweet influence of a rea. home, and replace in measure the mothers they have lost. I think what this means to our Dominion in the future! Here as a gathering of growing manhood and womanhood being trained in the highest ideals of Christian character. I therefore submit that the work of these orphanages and their output of Christian manhood and womanhood constitute a strong appeal to the sympathy and assistance of the people, especially the Presbyterian people, as for the most part these bairns are of Presbyterian origin. I grant to no cause whatever a prior claim; I admit the rights of other causes to our charity and goodness, to send hundreds of pounds elsewhere is all right, but if we do these things and neglect the children at our own doors, it is much like a man letting his own children starve to feed and clothe a Hottentot. We, of Southland, are responsible for the orphanages of Southland; it is to our credit if they stand, it will be to our shame if they fail. Presbyterians have this onus particularly upon them. These are their Homes; if they do not keep them who will? The prophet of old said, “I am doing a great work, I cannot come down.” Mr Campbell, superintendent of the Homes, might appropriately say the same, and every assistance should be given him when he visits the parishes in Southland. The Rev. R. de Lambert, vicar of Wakatipu, left Queenstown on Friday morning en route to Christchurch whither he has gone to attend the Church Congress which is being held in the Cathedral City this week. Mrs de Lambert accompanied her , husband,

Miss McLennan was the recipient of tokens of goodwill and esteem on Tuesday ivening, when the members of Wyndham /resbyterian Choir met to do the young ady honour at the residence of Mrs A. Strang. There was a large attendance, and l most enjoyable time was spent at games md music. The winner of the progressive japes tournament was Miss Dolly McLennan, with Miss Taylor and Rev. J. E, Lopiell taking consolation honours. Before landing round a dainty supper, Mr Douglas Sf. A. Macpherson, choirmaster, presented Miss McLennan w’ith an elegant Doulton fruit dish, as a remembrance from her :ellow choir members; and, in doing so, he referred to the useful work the guest had lone as a member, and wished her and her future husband a full measure of prosperty in their new home. Supporting remarks vere made by Rev. Lopdell, and Messrs Charles Bain and Robert Hunter. Mr William Gregory and Mr Kenneth McLennan replied on behalf of Miss McLennan. Those who contributed to the musical part were Misses M. Irvine and A. Hopkins, and Mr D. Macpherson. Mrs A. Strang was at the piano. Verses of “Auld Lang Syne” and “God be With You,” and the pronouncing of the Benediction, closed a very pleasant evening.