THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1840, 25 November 1874, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ANNIVERSARY SOIREE.

The anniversary soiree of the Presbyterian Church was held last evening in St. George's Hall. The Hall had previously been decorated with festoons of green ferns, and the tables were further ornamented with flowers. The attendance was very large, not being confined to the members of the church in commemoration whereof the soiree was held, but those of all other denominations. The gathering of children was also very numerous. The Hall was filled with tables laden with delicacies and substantials, the following ladies presiding :—

Mesdames Hill, Sinclair, Macnab, H. Murdook, Kennedy, Perston, Ferguson, Skeen, McLeary, Browne, Fotheringham, Brodie, Muir,. Wilson, Wm. Murdock, Dunlop, Mennie, Pitkethley; Misses Carey, Clark, Hill, Kay, J. Kay,: Moore, Hamilton, M. Hamilton, W. Clark.

After the luxuries had been disposed of, the tables were, removed, the Hall being cleared for that purpose* The second portion of the programme was then entered upon, being the delivery of addresses, interspersed with sacred and' secular music arid recitations. Mr Hill presided. There were also present upon the platform the following gentlemen:— His Honor the Superintendent, John Sheehan Esq., M.H.R. and Provincial Secretary, Captain Fraser, .U.M., Dr Lee, and the Bey. Mr Davies. The Choir were also stationed upon the platform, and under the able leadership of Mr. H.iG. Weeks, performed throughout the evening in a manner highly creditable. In introducing the business, the Key. James Hill said he could not commence the proceedings of the evening without taking the opportunity of expressing his satisfaction at the sight of the attendance there. He thought it right that those who belonged to the same church, and met together for divine worship on the Sabbath, from day to day, should occasionally meet in'social gatherings such as the present. Such meetings had many advantages, particularly, enabling the members of the church of becoming better acquainted than they could at the ordinary services of the Sabbath; and things could be talked of at such meetings which would be scarcely suitable for the pulpit; and altogether there was a deeper interest awakened: and sustained by them. As many were aware that night was the anniversary of his induction ss Minister to the Presbyterian congregation on the Thames. He remembered that when he started for the district some friends in Auckland told him that he would not be six months on the Thames—things were so gloomy and unsettled at the time, that his removal was considered certain. But instead of six months he had now been six years pastor of the congregation, and had watched its advancement in strength with pride. Soirees might be got up lor many objects, to commemorate the opening of a church, or Sunday School, but none was more important than the commemoration of the relationship between the pastor and his people—a relationship the most solemn that could, well be imagined. Recently a Sabbath had been devoted tor the subject, and it was right to have a meeting also with the same object. This being the anniversary of his induction to the people of his church, he was naturally led to look back over the past, and, in looking back, he as naturally saw great changes—some familiar faces had departed for other parts of the country, and reminiscences were marked by death. On looking back, he saw that there were many shortcomings to answer for. This was true of the minister and true of the people. They had not' done their work and performed their duties as they ought to have done. Yet, when he looked back, he saw reason for earnest congratulation. First, there was the attendance at the church, which was better 1 than it had been the previous years. This, considering the great depression which had prevailed in the district, was something to say. Also their financial | position was better; and he believed that

"^?T":.'ll.'-'.L',l.;|il',i,'.'7.'""".'."l^K"'^t".^.?*""" '""*'"im,^ l' I on the next annual meeting they would be able to present'a balance-sheet much more than those of past years. He trusted in correspondence with the financial position and attendance that progress in spiritual excellence had been made. It was natural not only to look backward upon the past, but to Took forward to- the future, and he trusted that the divine ordinances in which they were permitted to indulge would work their good effects. It was true there were many who did not attend divine ordinances—who got into non-church-going habits. This was particularly the case with Presbyterians ; but he hoped that those who had avoided coming to God's house would not neglect doing so in the future. It was his intention to resume visiting the members of his congregation at the commencement of the year, and hoped to be able to induce former nonattendants to visit the churoli regularly. He trusted that the financial prosperity which they enjoyed would continue, for they not only required to keep up the position they had attained, but a debt rested on the congregation. The debt was not upon the church, since that had been long since wiped off, but there was a debt still upon the manse. At a former gathering several speakers had alluded to the fact that there was no manse in connection with the congregation, and hoped that the want would be supplied. They now had that want well supplied, but had incurred the debt in supplying it, He had hoped that tbe liability would have been wiped off before Qhinemuri opened, as many would be going up there, although as many would probable return from thence as had returned from other parts of the colony after leaving the Thames. It was purposed to clear off the debt "by visiting the members of the congregation, in which task the ladies would be engaged, and aa it was known that the ladies could, not be resisted, it was calculated to be an easy one. In Auckland this plan.had been practised with great success, and he felt confident that it would be no less so here, and that the debt would yet be paid before the opening of Ohinemuri. The reverend gentleman concluded his remarks by saying that the first year had been, on the whole, one of prosperity— not only financial but spiritual prosperity. He hoped God would bless them and make them a blessing. With these observations, he said, he would proceed with carrying out the programme. Anthem: " Rejoice in the Lord," which was excellently performed by the Choir, The Chairman said he had remarked a minute ago that some who went from the Thames found their way back again. Some who went from New Zealand also found their way back. He had great pleasure in introducing the Rev. Mr Laishley, formerly Minister of the Congegational denomination in Onehunga, who went to Melbourne, and had now returned to perform the duties of pastor to the Congregationalists on the Thames.

Mr iLaishley said it gave him great pleasure to be there. Mr Hill had called upon him to ask him to be present, and he felt proud that Mr Hill should have recognised the unity which should exist between Ministers of the Church of Christ. He then spoke of his departure from the Colony* and said he had never seen a place so beautiful as that which he had left. He had been repeatedly asked to come back and perform the duties of congregational minister. He had been struck with the fact of these urgent entreaties, thinking tha|, it might be a dispensation of God that there were duties for him here. He eventually consented to make a visit, and having come he found it totally impossible to get away. He had listened to the report given by their esteemed pastor with great satisfaction, the which report must have afforded the congregation as much pleasure as it should Mr Hill.

Anthem by the Choir—"The Lord descended from above."

The Chairman called upon His Honor to favor the meeting with a few remarks, making allusion to the honor which was done them by those who had lent their presence ; and he rejoiced in it the more because these gentlemen were not Presbyterians.

His Honor said the invitation he had received was unexpected—a quarter of an hour previous he had not heard of the intention to hold the soiree. He had come down to the Thames on official business, yet he felt he could not refuse to be present to do honor to Mr. Hill, limited as their acquaintance had be'eni Mr Williamson then alluded to the early days of Auckland, to how the different denominations were but poorly represented by pastors, and when there were few to attend to the Christian work of teaching and inciting the young. He also referred to the difficulties with which the early Presbyterians had to contend, when they had no pastors, when couples had to be united together by a Wesleyan Minister. Looking at the past, and recalling themselves to the present he said the appearance of things at that meeting mist be gratifying to the Chairman and his people. He paid a high compliment to the apparent result of Mr Hill's labors, and hoped that the work would be sustained. In the church to which he belonged it was customary to remove their pastors from place to place when it was thought uecessary, but it was not so with the Presbyterian Ministers, who sometimes remained in the place to which they had became attached to the end of their days. He believed as time rolled on that the young ( • would rise up to strengthen Mr Hill's hands under his guidance, when the older ones had past away, and he (His Honor) should be glad years after this to find Mr. Hill still on the Thames. In conclusion, His Honor said he might be thought desirous of being all things to all men, but he was attached to the faith which

belonged to his fathers, and had no other desire in being present than to pay respect to the rev. Chairman and hts congregation.

Anthem by the Choir : " With Angels and Archangels." This, which was rendered in most admirable style, was followed hy a recitation by Mr Hunter, and for which that gentleman received no inconsiderable amount of commendation from his audience.

The second part of the evening's entertainment then commenced, opening with a capital solo from Mr Miller, entitled, " Hearts and Homes." An encore was unmistakeably demanded, and he gave another of equal merit. The Chairman then called upon the Eev Mr McKee, who said he had very much pleasure in being permitted to address so large an audience as he saw before him. He thought meetings such as these were beneficial as affording an opportunity to members and adherents of one church to make acquaintance, which it was only right should exist. * He concluded by paying a high compliment to the intellect and virtues of the Chairman. Choir: " May Carol." Mr. Hill called upon Mr. Sheehan, and took occasion to express pleasure at the evidence of his liberal spirit, which took him on any platform upon which he could do good, and help on the cause of humanity. He (the Chairman) admired that liberality of sentiment which suggested to Mr. Sheehan to come there, though his religions opinions differed from theirs.

Mr. Sheehan, though, as he said, quite unprepared, delivered an eloquent address on the vital necessity for the unity of all creeds in one common object- -the good of humanity. He alluded to the friendship which had existed between Mr. Hill and Father Nivard (a minister of the speakers' church). Though he might not think exactly with Presbyterians, he could sympathise with such occasions as the present. Out of the churches all theological differences . should be cast aside—they gave room for the insidious inroad of infidelity and materialism. Therefore they should be united, to withstand the common enemy. And from all countries and all creeds they would be finally gathered up to the home of one common Father.

A song, " Happy be thy Dreams " was then given by Mr. Ferguson, and for an encore he rendered " Good-bye, Sweetheart" very admirably. This was followed by an excellent cantation of " Happy Moments" by Mr. Brown, basso. Mr Davis briefly addressed the meeting? and remarked upon the beneficial results of the introduction of the G-ospel among the people. The Choir then performed a choice selection, " The Maiden," after which Dr Perston delivered a recitation upon " Love,' which was tolerably well received. The Doxology was sung, after which a prayer was said by the Chairman, and the meeting dispersed.