PRESBYTERIAN BAZAAR, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1727, 21 April 1888, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN BAZAAR, GERALDINE.

The bazaar in aid of the funds of the Presbyterian Ohurch, Geraldine, was opened in the Yolunteer Hall by the Hon. W. Rolleston on Thursday last.

The Her. Geo. Barclay introduced Mr Rolleston, who had consented to open the bazaar, as follows : Ladies and Gentlemen, —Allow me to introduce to you one who, to a Geraldine audience, needs no introduction. I refer to the Hon. W. Rolleston. I believe it is usual on an occasion of this kind for some person of position and importance to open the proceedings, and the Committee, I think, have made a wise selection when they requested the presence of Mr Rolleston. Mr Rolleston, I take it, is one of those intelligent, broadminded, and historically-educated gentlemen who see in Christendom a congress of religious denominations differing somewhat in certain matters, but all putting forth a claim to be on the side of, and to do some work in, the world for God. The Presbyterian Church, though one of the largest sections of Christendom, is not very strong in South Canterbury. Recently the Committee here have found it necessary to incur some financial obligations in connection with churchbuilding. This bazaar has been got up to aid in reducing this debt, and Mr Rolleston has come to say a good word for us. He will speak, I have no doubt, con amore, and I hope you will be interested in and influenced by whatever remarks he may choose to make. Mr Rolleston said—The last time I spoke in this hall was on the occasion of the opening of a bazaar which had for its object to promote the military organisation of the district. That bazaar was, in spite of hard times of which we hear so much now-a-days, a great success, I take my share of the credit which attaches to its opening by way of compensation for the loss which I sustained at the hands of fair plunderers. To-day I am asked to open a bazaar for an ecclesiastical purpose, which I hope may be as successful financially, though for my own part I intend to claim a special exemption against the attacks which were then so irresistible. The former meeting was associated with the defence of our rights and liberties against foreign invasion or internal rebellion whenever either of these contingencies may arise. To-day wo meet to advocate the interests of the great Church Militant—never at peace, never resting, ever warring with evil. No regiment of this great Church Universal has fought more bravely, none has 1 stood more staunchly by the great principles of civil and religious liberty, than that in whose interests we are to-day assembled. At times the 1 tyranny of crowned heads has vainly [ endeavored to force upon it Articles of Faith which it has firmly refused to adopt. At times the fire of persecution has raged around it, and it i was not consumed. Those who have ; fought under its banner have fought with the open Bible in their hands, challenging the outside world to inspect its fortresses and master well : their bulwarks. They have fought with the feryid zeal which knows no yielding, and they hare ever been true—as in things temporal so in things spiritual-»to their national instincts of “ holding fast that which is good.” The day of persecution with its testing and refining fires has passed away, and the conflict still rages with foes of a subtler character. There are those who think, or affect to think, that with the spread of knowledge and scientific research faith will lose ground, and the churches, as exponents of different phases of religious belief, cease to exercise the same influence as heretofore in the world. Closer and more accurate observation shows that there is a spiritual as well as an intellectual and physical side of human nature, which will ever assert itself—that we have, as has been said, a “conscience as well as a stomach,” on the due conservation of which human happiness largely depends. It is to the churches as religious organisations that we have to look for the teaching which the State cannot adequately give in our national schools. It is to the churches that we must look for the relief of much of the suffering and want which exists, and ever will exist, of a kind which can never be overtaken by the dry, hard system of State help, euphemistically called “ charitable aid.” According as the churches realise their functions and perform their duties, they will grow in strength and in their hold upon the affections of the people. We are apt to look back on Xavier and Loyola, on Luther and Melancthon, on Baxter, Newton, Whitfield, and Wilberforee, as men who stirred the religious impulses of the age in which they lived to a greater extent than any individual of more modern times. I doubt whether we are right. Their work differed in kind, and religious enthusiasts and j reformers were comparatively fewer j

in number in those days and more notorious, but I question whether the present generation is not more widely and more usefully, if less sensationally, influenced by the preaching and writings of the leaders of its religious thought. Take the example of the late F. W. Robertson, of Brighton, Charles Kingsley, Norman Macleod, Spurgeon and others whose influence is felt through their writings in the uttermost parts of the earth. Our own statistics, I am happy to say, j show that the work of the religious bodies is spreading with settlement to every corner of the colony, and funds are not wanting where the work is actively pursued. They will not be wanting here, hard though the times may be. Mr Barclay and his Church officers have waved their magic wand. Their Church has suddenly sprung up on a fitting site in the midst of the population, who will no longer have to wander among the highways and hedges to look for their pastor. The same magic influence will, I trust, I ensure the success of this bazaar. On ! the last occasion I went home and listened to the breakers on the beach with an empty pocket and a mind full of admiration of the winsome ways of the ladies of Geraldine. I shall retain the same admiration of their captivating powers. I need no further proof of them. I commend all my friends to their tender mercies, and trust that success will attend this bazaar on behalf of the Presbyterian Church building fund. The Eev. W. J. Dean, of Geraldine, proposed a vote ot thanks to Mr Kolleston for opening the bazaar. This was seconded by the Eev. Mr Dickson, of Temuka, and carried amidst applause. Mr Eolleston, in replying, said that the last time he went to the seaside at Eangitata from the bazaar it was with a wiser head and lighter pocket. This time he had left the privilege of spending with his better half. Buying and selling were then commenced in good earnest. Preparations for the bazaar had been actively proceeding for a long time past, and the result was to be seen in the splendid display of useful, ornamental, and fancy goods which were arranged on the stalls around the hall. The bujy hands of those taking a keen interest in. the welfare of the Church must have been hard at work to have put together such a varied collection of goods of every description. Upon entering the hall one was agreeably surprised to see the transformation that had been made. Perns and evergreens had been used in abundance, and were arranged in every spot where they would show to advantage. A large number of Chinese lanterns had been hung from the rafters, and these had a very pretty appearance at night. Down the centre of the hall were arranged several tiers of pot plants, while between these, and in the exact centre of the room, was arranged the maypole, round which some dozen little girls, in white, with wreaths on their heads, and colored bows on their shoes, performed the maypole dance at intervals during the evening. Entering by the main door, and going round with the sun, one came first to a stall where the visitors found the following ladies were only too willing to assist them in getting rid of whatever they might have about them: —Mrs Barclay, and Misses Stewart, Helem, McLean, G. Kelman, Menaies, and McKenzie. At the next stall the visitors found it almost impossible to turn a deaf ear to the solicitation of Mesdames Beattie, Cochrane, Skinner, Kelland, and Miss Meredith to buy. Escaping to the other side of the hall, the persecuted victim was met by Mesdames Dunlop, A. Irvine, Steven, Aitken, and Miss Dunlop. At the other end of the room was the refreshment stall. The table fairly groaned under the load of substantial viands and tempting delicacies. Here Mesdames Cunningham, McLean, and E. Irvine, with Misses Keiman and Bell, and assisted by Mr McDonald, appeared to take extreme pleasure in providing a thoroughly-good meal for all who paid them a visit. The moment the visitor turned from the tables he found a detachment from the flower stall, consisting of Misses McKay, "Wills, Pearson, and Dunlop, ready to “ button-hole ” him, and wring money from his pocket. The cutter “ Jubilee ” had also been brought into the hall and rigged, and, although not used as a stall, was gaily decked out with a large display of bunting, and lit up with Chines® lanterns in the evening. In the right-hand corner stood the Postoffice, under the charge of Miss Dean, from whence were issued letters for which the postage had to be paid. The hall presented a most lively appearanoe, raffles, lucky-bags, selling, etc., being the order of both the day and night. The greater portion of the youth and beauty of Geraldine seemed to have gone in heart and soul to wring money from the visitors, quite a number of young ladies besides those menticned assisting. On the raised platform at the end of the hall the Geraldine Brass Band, under their leader, Mr T. Sherratt, discoursed their excellent music at intervals. Here, too, a concert-room had been curtained off, where concerts were held, the small sum of 6d only being changed for admission. Tho following programme was gone through on Thursday evening. Pianofort duet Misses Pish, duet in character, by Miss Dunlop and Mr Aitken, “ The Crookit Bawbee ” j song

Miss E. Dean, “ Laddie ” ; song Mr Logan, song Miss Miller, “ Where has Scotland found her Fame ”; song Miss Andrews, “ Ruby ”; song Miss Dunlop, song Mr Godfrey Williams, '• Che Yeoman’s Wedding Song” The sailor’s hornpipe was danced by Mr Ryan in a capital manner and was 1 udly encored, and responded to with n clog dance. A dialogue in character ‘ The Maggleton’s on the Derby,” in v. hich Mr Aitken took the gentleman’s and Mr J. J. Hiskens the lady’s part, Mias E. Alpress acting as the houior.nid, caused a deal of amusement. The concert was repeated the following evening with a change of programme. A large number of persons visited the room on both evenings, the takings being very satisfactory. Yesterday afternoon, Mr J. Mundell submitted to auction a quantity of li i’e stock, poultry, wheat, etc., which bad been given to the Committee, very fair prices being realised.