CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 18963, 9 June 1923, Page 8

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

FROM PULPIT AND PEW. The Rev. J. Carlisle of the Esk Street Baptist Church will take for his evening subject to-morrow “What Think Ye of Christ.” The second address in the series “The Road that Climbs,” will be delivered tomorrow evening at First Church by the Rev. J. L. Robinson. The second study is entitled “Getting Ready.” The speakers at St. Andrew’s to-morrow are Messrs B. C. Galloway and G. D. Macindoe. A large number of friends gathered in the St. Paul’s Methodist Church last Sunday evening in connection with the Memorial Service fcr the late Mr J. J. Wesney. The Rev. Harold Sharp preached an appropriate sermon based on the words: “The Law of Truth was in His mouth and iniquity was found in His lips: He walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity” (Malachi II.6). The preacher referred to the great losses which death had caused in the Church during the last twelve months. Mr Wesney was held in deep affection by the members of the congregation. His cultured and spiritual mind, his winsome personality and the high ideals which he cherished were the fruits of his devotion to the Saviour whom he loved and served. Mr Wesney had exercised a rich and fruitful ministry in the land. He had been a powerful advocate of Temperance Reform in the days when the battle was young and the enemy violent. Large numbers of people who loved him mourn the loss of a wise counsellor, a true and loyal friend—an all round man whose life exerted a fine influence upon the temper and spirit of his contemporaries. Not many churchgoers of to-day can remember the time when an organ was not a necessity to a church service. The introduction of the organ met with many objections from the old folk who believed in droning their Psalms and hymns as solemnly, slowly and with as little variation of air as possible. However, to-day, an organ is a necessity and St. Andrew’s choir has had to put its shoulder to the wheel and do its share to meet the price cf an organ to replace the old one which has been done away with. The result of a good deal of planning was a concert given in the church last Wednesday . night. A large number of friends from other churches gave of their assistance and a very excellent entertainment was given. The Rev. J. L. Robinson acted as chairman. Orchestral items were given by Mr McNeil’s orchestra; solos by Mrs Alsweiler, Messrs Farley, Richards an 4 Aitchison; a Shakespearean recitation by Miss Aitken; violin solos by Rev. H. G. Gilbert; mandolin solo by Mr B. 0. Galloway ; musical monologues by Miss Aitken and Mr Alsweiler; trio by Mesdames Alsweiler, Richards and Gilbert; duets by Mrs Alsweiler afid Mr Richards and Mrs Alsweiler and Mr Farley. Mrs Alsweiler also sang a solo with violin and mandolin obligato. Anthems were rendered by the choir. Miss Brown and Mesdames Gilbert and Richards acted as accompanists. There was a large gathering of friends and a gcod result is assured. A very successful entertainment was held in Knox Sunday School, Georgetown, last Wednesday evening. Judging by the appreciation of the pieces rendered, the love for Scottish music has not died out. This entertainment is to be repeated at Knox Sunday School, Concn street, in about a fortnight. By these entertainments it is hoped to augment the funds for Sunday School work.

A great feature of the Sunday evening services at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Leet street, hhs been the addresses given by the Rev. Harold Sharp to young men and women. There will be one of these addresses cn Sunday night when Mr Sharp will speak about the “Man Who Missed the ’Bus, and the Woman who helped him to do it.” The musical portion of the service will be of considerable interest as the choir will render Shelley’s magnificent anthem : “Hark 1 Hark 1 My Soul,” a work that contains beautiful contralto and soprano solos, besides parts for the full choir that are very stifring and melodious. Beside this work “Comes At Tynes a Stillness,” will be rendered, moving from slow and soft passages to the triumphal note upon which the anthem closes.

A ladies’ guild has been formed in connection with the Edendale Presbyterian Church, and on Wednesday afternoon, May 30, thirteen ladies met in the vestry to make arrangements for beginning work. The meeting took the form of a social and gift afternoon and resulted in a generous response in the way of gifts of material, wool and money. It was decided that a sale be held early in October, that part of the proceeds to be given to the local Church Committee and the remainder to the Invercargill Orphanages, which are urgently in need of financial assistance. Mrs Finlayson, Bank of N.S.W., was appointed to take charge of all finished work and gifts. At the Edendale Anglican Church on Sunday. evening the vicar, Rev. F. V. Fisher, made the recent Church Conference at Christchurch the subject of his address. He spoke of the value of the addresses given by Christian scholarly men as being most helpful to the cause cf Christianity, and he told of a notable address by a Labour man who had been an atheist but who had come to accept the Christian view as being the solution of differences between seemingly opposed interests. He dealt with the remarks of tlie Bishop of Willcchra on the moral aspect and the subsequent criticism, showing that the Bishop’s strictures were based on an erroneous official report, yet after the correct position was stated the condition was highly unsatisfactory. He made interesting reference to the forthcoming visit of Mr Hickson, the faith healer, stating that the Bishcp of Gilburn was able to make first-hand statements of the wonderful cures at Mr Hickson’s mission —from the Bishop’s own observation. The object of the mission was not merely to effect cures, but to emphasise the means by which they were attained—by prayer and faith, the prayers of the friends being helpful. It was hoped that the Churches might again become a great means of relieving the afflicted. The Central Branch of the W.C.T.U. held its monthly meeting in the Baptist Church, Esk street, Mr Lillicrap presiding over the meeting. Mr Young, Dominion Superintendent, reported on the work being done in the Bible Classes, and it was decided that a copy of the letter the aims and objects of the Young Peoples’ Society, should Be sent to every bible class in the Dominion and also to Foursquare. Mesdames Mackenzie and Matheson were appointed to represent the Union at the Prohibition Conference. A report of the first meeting at Gladstone was received and it was decided that bi-monthly meetings should be held there. The Jumble sale, in aid of the Dominion Organising Fund, was fixed for June 28 in the Sylvan Bank Hall. Miss Birss spoke on the League of Nations Union, and the following motion was unanimously carried: “That the Central Branch of the W.C.T.U. heartily supports the proposed Dominion affiliation with the League of Nations Union.” Series “The Voyage of Life” and “The Building of the Ship,” is the subject for the evening service at St. Paul’s to-morrow. The annual social and gift evening under the auspices of the Waikaka Valley P.W.M.U., was held in the church on the evening of June 1, and proved a successful function. Rev. W. J. Couling presided, and the meeting opened with devotional exercises, after which the chairman made a brief introductory address. The speaker for the evening, Mr Lopdell, of Wyndham, delivered an interesting and striking address, on the work of the P.W.M.U., its aims and objects, and the appeal it makes to the women of the Presbyterian Church. A highly appreciated programme of musical

and elecutionary items was submitted during the evening, and included solos by Miss Cunningham (Benio), recitation by Mr A. M. Johnston, and violin solos by Rev. W. J. Couling, the instrumental accompaniments being supplied by Miss Couling. The choir, under the leadership of Mr G. P. Johnston, gave very creditable renderings of several anthems. Miss Morrison presiding at the organ. The evening offerings to the cause of missions resulted in' the sum of £3O being collected. A social cup of tea and cakes, provided by the ladies, were handed round, and the moving cf votes of thanks to all those who had assisted toward the success of the gathering, the singing of the National Anthem and the pronouncing of the Benediction brought the meeting to a close. During the past few weeks the Rev. J. Laughton of the Maori Mission has been in Southland. Mr Laughton is on a tour canvassing for the “where withal.” to build a school. There is a great need for a secondary school to give the Maori boys a course of training in the trades to which their people are not educated and also to keep the lads under a good Christian influence at a time when their characters are being moulded The primary school course stops at a critical time for these boys, who if allow’ed to go back to their old life in the “pahs” as they must do at present, naturally follow the dependent aimless life of their people. The Maoris are apt and learn very quickly if given the opportunity. It is the desire of Mr Laughtcn and his fellow workers to provide a Technical school where suitable instruction can be given them. The Maori people, many of whom are by no means well off, have presented a large piece of land as a site for the echocl. The amount asked for it is a very modest one, £2OO. It will be thought hardly possible to erect a school for such a sum, but as Mr Laughton is a carpenter by trade, he has made known his intention of taking off his coat and setting to work himself. It is hoped that the tour of the Dominion will be successful and the new school will soon be in the course of construction. Mr Laughton left Invercargill during the week. “Riverton is a very familiar and popular name at the Cameron and Gladstone Orphanage Homes, Invercargill, because of what the people have done for the girls and boys,” says the superintendent. “This week the hearts of the children and matrons were filled with delight, when on opening two large boxes, lovely warm clothing was revealed to view. A gift from the ladies belonging to the Riverton Presbyterian Church. To see a little girl trying on a new frock, or a boy trotting off to school with a new jersey, the gift of interested friends, is a.sight that cheers the heart of a matron, makes happy the heart of the children, and adds comfort to their everyday life. This shall be told everywhere what the Riverton people have done for our Presbyterian Orphanage Homes.” On Tuesday evening, June 5, Mrs Young and Misses R. Finlayson and Seed visited the North Invercargill Baptist Bible class. After a warm welcome had been extended by Pastor Day, Misses Finlayson and Seed each spoke briefly, telling what the “Y” Branch is, its aims and the reasons for joining and then a strong appeal was made by Mrs Young for members, which resulted in all present, who were not already “Y” members joining up. An invitation service for the seven new ones thus gained was held.

A very pleasant evening was spent in Rimu Schoolhouse on May 30, when the Woodlands Church Choir under the conductorship of Mr Thcs. Alexander, gave a concert in aid of the Sunday School Funds. There was a good attendance of residents, and the Reverend Mr Cox, of Woodlands, presided and kept the folk in much merriment with the humorous stories he related. The choir rendered several Anthems, while quartettes and duets by seme of the members formed features of the evening. Solos were sung and greatly appreciated by the audience. The soloists being Misses McKerchar, Schmidt, Ramsay, Phillips and Mr Jno. McKendry. Mr Reginald Annan contributed a recitation and short addresses were given by Messrs Dugald McKenzie and C. J. Bigwood, treasurer of the Woodlands congregation, and superintendent of Rimu Sunday School respectively. A most enjoyable social gathering terminated with a vote of thanks by Mr Dawson to Mr Alexander and his choir, to the ladies of Rimu who provided the supper, and with the singing of a verse of the National Anthem.