GERALDINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2497, 11 September 1897, Page 3

GERALDINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

! — ♦ — The annual parish gathering in con- , nection with the Geraldine Presbyterian ' Church came off in the Volunteer Hall v on Thursday night, with every success r. attending it. After a large number of people from all parts of the district had. risen from an excellent repast provided by the ladies of the church, a public meeting was held which was very largely attended and was presided over by the Rev. A. B. Todd. The rev. chairman welcomed his congregation and all present from other congregations, and referred feelingly to the fact that one district, ixamely, Woodbury, was not well '" represented at the gathering owing r to sickness and death having visited several families there of late. 1 The Rev. Mr Mackie (St. Andrew) * spoke on the need of union between the r two qualities " stability and variability." ■ This was greatly needed in every department of life, and especially amongst " church workers. i The Rev. H. Williams (Primitive Methodist) spoke earnestly of the neces--1 sity for activity amongst Christians in - obedience to the command to "Go and : preach the Gospel," also in opposing 1 and suppressing evil. The Rev. Dr Irwin, Moderator of the - New Zealand Presbyterian Church Ast sembly, gave a stirring address upon " some aspects of church life and work, * two moat essential things being (1) sense of responsibility and (2) enthusiasm. The lack of sincerity among church-going people was one of the greatest hindrances 7 to the progress of the church. The trouble was that there was too much, I prudence.mixed up with the religion of » to-day. Christians were afraid of being „ regarded as fanatics, and there was not i enough of the madness of St. Paul I amongst them who was said to be " beside himself." . .. \ The Rev. Jas. Preston (Anglican) ? spoke against the methods adopted tol day to bring about reforms which could ■ only be brought about by the grace of ■ t God, and by beginning at the right end * and training the young in our public . schools with religious instruction. \ Interspersed with the addresses were ) several selections by the orchestra, an-- , thems by the choir, and solos, duets, etc. The usual votes of thanks to the \ speakers, the performers, and the ladies L - who provided the good things, conj eluded a most interesting meeting,