HARVEST THANKSGIVING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16681, 2 March 1920, Page 7

HARVEST THANKSGIVING.

The Baptists Lave every reason to he satisfied with tie harvest festival services, held last Sunday. The day was gloriously line, which no doubt was partly responsible for so many people being present.' The preacher for the day was the Rev. A. H. Collins, from Australia (on a health-seeking visit). He is a remarkable personality and a powerful speaker. His discourses on ■Sunday were real intellectual and spiritual treats, and although he preached for over 45 minutes, it seemed but as IS minutes in so masterful a way did he deal with his subjects and bring out his points. The church was beautifully decorated and displayed the fruits of the field and the goodness of Nature to pertcc- ,. ,tion. 'The choir acgjjitted itself well giving the “To Dcuni" and a special anthem in the morning and a special anthem in the evening. Miss Cocker rendered tho ever popular “Angels . Ever Bright and Fauy’ in her usual perfect way. The choir was augmented by a few friends, and Mr. L. Blanchett assisted in tho orchestra. Great credit and praise is due to Mrs. Uonnor and her staff of helpers (Miss Hounor; Mesdames Northern, A. H. AraBury, K. Ambury, and Mr. F. Northern) for arranging fruit and vegetables and decorations, and to Mr. Northern, the choir-master, for training the choir so admirably. Mrs. Diprosc presided at the organ. On Monday night the sale of the produce and harvest social was held in the schoolroom. A happy companygathered together, and under the chairmanship of Mr. Diprose. Tho following programme -was rendered: .Piano . sold, Miss Coleman; song, Mrs. Northern; troc.il duet, Mrs. Diprose and Mrs. R. Am bury: recitation, Francis Northern; song, Mr. Roy Dcarc; song', Miss Honnor; flute solo, Mr. j Northern; song, Mr. E. G. Johnson; recitation, Charley Ambary; .song, Mrs. Northern. A brisk sale of the produce then took place and realised satisfactory prices. The chairman thanked all who had helped to make the festival so great a success, especially the Rev. A. H. Collins for taking the Sunday services. The Rev. A. H. Collins in reply expressed great pleasure at being amongst them again, and said he was glad they were keeping up tho ancient Jewish custom of giving thanks to God for the blessings of the harvest. He said it was the right and proper • thing to be joyful at God’s goodness. Thus ended a very successful anj! profitable harvest thanksgiving.