A RIVERTON FUNCTION

Southland Times, Issue 20445, 24 March 1928, Page 3

A RIVERTON FUNCTION

OPENING OF PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL. A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. (From Our Correspondent.) A fine night and the importance of the gathering was no doubt responsible for the large crowd which assembled at the rear of the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday evening, when the official opening of the Sunday School Hall took place. Representatives of the religious body were present from most parts of the district, and great interest was taken in the proceedings. The building, a handsome brick one, the foundation stone of which was laid in August 24, 1927, by Mr E. C. Hewat 8.A., has been erected at a cost of £1545, and contains a large hall capable of seating 250 people, library room, ladies’ guild room, kitchenette, stage and portico, and should meet all requirements for some time to come. It is supplied with all modern appliances, and those who went through the building on a visit of inspection were unanimous in their opinion that the architect and the builder had faithfully carried out their share of the contract, while the Building Committee was to be commended for its efforts in having erected such a comfortable and commodious building for church socials and Sunday School requirements. Mr G. 0. Cassels, Chairman of the Building Committee, opened proceedings by stating that it gave him pleasure to hand over to Rev. J. Fordyce the key of the door of the new building they were about to open. He took that opportunity of expressing to the members of committee his sincere thanks for their loyal support and co-oper-ation during deliberations on matters in connection with the erection of the hall. He also desired to thank the architect (Mr Wilson, Invercargill) on behalf of the committee for the ready and courteous manner in which he had received and adopted suggestions, and for the excellence of his plans. To the contractor (Mr Fred Kerse) thanks were also due for the workmanlike manner in which he had carried, out his work. In handing over the key he concluded by stating: “I sincerely hope and trust that this sacred edifice will long contribute to serve the high purpose for which it has been erected.” Mrs Fordyce then placed the key in the door and the hall was declared open. The pastor (Rev. J. Fordyce) presided, and was supported by Rev. C. P. Webb (Anglican), Rev. F. 0. Prosser (Wesleyan), Revs. J. Robertson (Kennington), J. Lawson Robinson (Invercargill), W. F. Evans (Limestone Plains) and Captain Bateman (Salvation Army). After apologies had been read from the Mayor and others, the 100th Psalm was sung, and a prayer offered by the Rev. J. H. Robertson.

The chairman expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present from the town and country. He welcomed members from the Presbytery and ministers of the sister churches. That evening, he said, was the fulfilment of a desire that had long been in the hearts and minds of the congregation. It was realized in that building. It had been made possible by the faithful prayers and liberality of the members of the congregation, both individually and collectively. He hoped that not only would the social life of the congregation be enriched, but that many souls would be born into the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were justly proud of their achievement. The Rev. J. Lawson Robinson said he was pleased to be present because the occasion marked an advance in congregational and church life. A hall was absolutely indispensable to the work of the church. He thought it was a pity that churches should be used for social functions. Churches should be set apart for worship. In these days there was greater emphasis being laid on the importance of the child, and those who were conversant with such matters realized that the child was the hope of the church in the future. Pascal had said that when he saw a child he had two feelings—respect for what he was, and reverence for what he might become. The point that concerned them was what the child might become, and they had opened that building so that the child might have the opportunity of learning and knowing that over all there is a God who rules and who desires the worship of His people. Children in the State schools did not hear the name of God in any sense of'worship. The name might appear in their lessons, but they were not taught to worship Him in spirit and in truth. The Sunday School stood to correct what was lacking in the educational system. The day school did something to cultivate their intellectual and develop their physical powers, but they recognized that the most important part of the nature was neither the intellectual nor the physical, but that part which helped them to hold communion with the Most High God. The Rev. C. P. Webb, on behalf of the Anglicans, said he wished to heartily congratulate them on the erection of such a splendid building. He thought he could congratulate the Presbyterian Ladies’ Guild for initiating the work, and he was pleased to be present and rejoice with them in the fruition of their labours. His experience was that once they got a body of ladies to agree to do anything it was not long before they accomplished it. They could not spend too much on the upbringing of a child. That was never more needed than at present. Children could not rule themselves without the guidance of God’s word, and the new school was going to be of great value. The Rev. F. 0. Proseor, on behalf of the Methodist Church, offered his congratulations. They were proud of the Presbyterians’ success, but were not envious, only they wished they had one like it. He supposed that in Riverton there were not 50 per cent, of the children who attended Sunday School. He hoped the new hall would attract many who would be encouraged to go to the Sabbath School. Captain Bateman (Salvation Army), Rev. J. B. Biokerstaff (Otautau) also addressed the gathering and congratulated the congregation on being the possessors of such an up-to-date building, and trusted God’s blessing would crown their efforts. The Rev. W. Evans, in the course of a short address in which he referred to the early days in connection with the church and Sunday School, then handed to Mrs Fordyce a gold key to commemorate the event, the Rev. J. Fordyce suitably acknowledging the gift. Mr R. N. Wilson moved a comprehensive vote of thanks to the speakers; to the ladies who had provided an excellent supper; to Mr Birch who had kindly given the use of his piano; and to Mrs E. H. Gray who had generously donated an organ for the use of the school. This announcement was received with loud applause. During the evening a musical programme was gone through, all the items being well received, the performers being Mesdames Smart and Toole (Waianiwa), Messrs H. E. Philp and R. N. Wilson and Miss Nancy Wilson. The accompaniments were played by Miss Robertson (South Riverton), Mrs John Cassels and Mrs R. Taylor. At an interval a collection was taken up, the returns being £25 16/-.