HAPPY REUNION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 591, 18 February 1929, Page 14

HAPPY REUNION

OLD PEOPLE ENTERTAINED An old folks’ reunion at Birkenhead on Saturday afternon was very much appreciated by many aged residents of the district. The reunion opened with a short service in the Methodist Church, which was tilled to overflowing, extra seating having to be provided. The service was conducted by the Rev. E. T. Olds, from the Mount Eden Methodist Church, who delivered an address on “The Great United Quest,” basing his remarks from Zachariah viii., verses 4 and 5. “We of the younger generation,” said Mr. Olds, “feel honoured at the privilege given to us to-day to do honour to you of the older generation. You have blazed the trail and we are following in the same great quest, and what good we are enabled to accomplish is made easier by the* lives you have lived. To-day, in the eventide of life, do not think that your work and influence are of no account; God is not keeping you on this earth merely marking time. Your influence is greater to-day than ever before.” The choir under Mr. J. Wright led the musical portion of the service and sang the anthem, “The Lord is My Shepherd.” An adjournment was then made to the hall, where afternon tea had been provided. The tables were beautifully decorated and each guest was presented with a dainty buttonhole. A very pleasant hour was spent in the renewing of old friendships. Musical items were given by Miss Edna Peace, the Rev. E. T. Olds and the Rev. P. Cooke (a former minister of the church), the gathering heartily joining in community singing of “Old Folks at Home.” The Rev. J. H. Allen, who presided, made reference to Mrs. Kinnear, Mrs. Scott, Mr. W. Thompson and Mr. J. C. Benjerman, whose deaths had occurred during the year. The honour of being the oldest woman present fell to Mrs. Blomfield, aged 89, while Mr. Tout, who will be 90 in April, was the oldest man. Both were presented with bouquets by Mrs. Cooke. Thanks to the splendid response of car owners the committee was able to transport the 170 guests to and from their homes by car in all comfort. MISSIONS IN NIGERIA PIONEER WORKER’S ADDRESS At the Grange Road Baptist Church yesterday morning the pastor introduced to the congregation Mr. David Osborne, New Zealand pioneer missionary to Nigeria. Mr. Osborne, who is on deputation work after five years in Nigeria, for the Sudan Interior Mission, gave an impressive address on the native, beliefs and characteristics of the people and the triumph of the Gospel in both of those large tracts. Illustrating from a large map, he showed that one district alone, that of Nigeria, was 12 times as large as New Zealand geographically and 19 times as large in population. The newer district of Abyssinia was adjacent to the Kenya Colony on one side and the Gulf of Aden on the other. To this large field a number of young New Zealanders were designated, some of whom would be soon sailing. The service concluded by the singing of “Jesus Shall Reign "Where’er the Sun” to the tune of “Rimington.” Miss Twentyman was at the organ. SERVICE FOR MEN BISHOP CHERRINGTON’S MESSAGE (Special to THE SUN) HAMILTON, Sunday. A bright service for men, organised by the Church of England Men’s Soicety, was held this afternoon in St. Peter’s Cathedral. There was a large congregation. Bishop Cherrington’s address was on Lent and self-discipline.