PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WAITAHUNA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 4255, 6 July 1895, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WAITAHUNA.

INDUCTION OF HEY. J. S. REID.

The induction service of the Rev. J. S. Eeid to the charge of the Waifcahuna Presbyterian Church was largely attended on Thursday afternoon, despite the inclemency of the weather. The Eev. J. A. Will, who presided, introduced the Bey. Mr Eeid to the pastoral charge of the congregation, after which the Eev. Mr Chisholm addressed the minister, and the Rev: Mr Allan the congregation.

SOIREE AND PUBLIC MEETING.

The public meeting held in the evening was largely attended. The Rev. Mr Will opened the meeting in the usual manner, and afterwards introduced the new minister, who then took the chair. In doing so, Mr Eeid expressed his thankfulness for the kindly reception he had received, and trusted that both himself and the congregation would work heartily together for the glory of God. He also took occasion to testify to the excellent work done by his predecessor the Eev. Mr Skinner.

SESSION REPORT.

Mr M'Caw, in submitting the Session report, said that the church services under the ministrations of the Eev. Mr Skinner, the former pastor, were well maintained, and his call to another church was much regretted. But they were pleased that the charge was an easier one for him in his declining years. When Mr Will took office as moderator, the Session resolved to associate with him the members of the church committee and a few others of the congregation.includihg delegates from Manuka. The Session believed that in the choice of a minister they had been guided by the Lord, and that the pastor in charge over them had been given in answer to their prayers. The Sabbath Day services,since Mr Skinner left, had been carried on regularly, and the attendance was encouraging. Messrs M'Caw and Patrick had conducted a Bibleclass every alternate Suuday for young men and women, at which the attendance had been excellent. The new system introduced lapfc year for the instruction of the infants continued a great success. Since the last annual meeting five members of the congregation had been removed by death. In conclusion, the Session thanked all who had in any way helped in the cause of Christ in their midst. They thanked the committee, Sabbath-school teachers, the choir, and also those who in the absence of a minister had assisted in ministering to the sick ard dying. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE'S REPORT."

Mr E. M f Ara, secretary, in presenting the Management Committee's report, stated that four quarterly meetings of the committee had been held during the year and were well attended. Three meetings of delegates and members of the committee appointed to arrange about pulpit supply and to take steps to fill the vacancy caused through the Rev. Mr Skinner's departure, as well as two congregational meetings, had also been held. The Eev. Mr Will had presided over all meetings in connection with the vacancy, and the best thanks of the congregation were due to him for the very able and prompt way in which the business had been carried through. The Eev. J. S. Eeid had received a practically unanimous call to be their minister, and the committee trusted that the fullest sympathy and support of the congregation would be extended to him.

treasurer's report.

Mr A. Garden, treasurer, submitted a statement showing the position of the various f und 3 for the past year. The sustentation fund receipts showed a falling-off of £11 8s as compared with the previous year ; the church-door collections were £4 less, while the seat rents had increased to the extent of £6 ; the contributions to the Dayspring fund were about the same as last year, while the ladies' mission fund showed a slight decrease. The total receipts for the year, including £17 10s 4d brought forward, amounted to £299 Is 9d, the disbursements totalling £295 2s 3d, leaving a surplus of £3 19s 6d. At this stage, an abundance of choice refreshments were served out, after which the speakers on the platform delivered

ADDEESSES.

The Eev. Mr Allan spoke on the subject of " Self." The question for all was, What are you doing with self? It was a possession belonging to all. For directions for the using of it, they should look to the teaching of Jesus. He pointed out the way to real"happiness, which was by putting " self " into His hands. To neglect His teaching was to certainly encounter loss, even the most terrible loss that could befall anyone— the loss of his own soul. The Rev. Mr Chisholm, in a few pertinent remarks, bore testimony to the excellent work done by Mr Skinner during his long pastorate in Waitahuna. He expressed his pleasure at hearing the reports which bad been read, and pointed out the indebtedness of people in the present-day to the noble men who had lived before them. They had taken a 'stand upon the side- of truth and had endured even to the death in its cause, special reference being made to the martyrs of Scotland. The people of to-day had entered into the labors of those men who had gone before, and he hoped they would prove worthy heirs of the noble inheritance handed down to them by such men, faking their stand as they did on Christ's side and working for him. The Eev. Mr Fairmaid referred to 'his previous knowledge of Mr Reid, and also to his knowledge of the congregation. Each had a reputation to sustain. That reputation was to be sustained not by professions but by work. Work for Christ and through Christ. As round the cross, so to-day, too, they found those gpups characterise^ by antipathy, apathy, ' and sympathy. Jn an earnest, forcible address all were urged to see to it that they belonged not to the class of those

opposed to Jesus, nor to the class of those who were in a dead apathy. Let each but think of the Sufferer upon the cross, and surely he would take his place in the last group— those who with deep sympathy for that Sufferer lived and worked for Him. With minister and people belonging to that class, a grand and noble work would assuredly be done. Let their motto be, " Work and pray."

Mr Eeid, senr., father of the newly-inducted minister, expressed his pleasure with the admirable reports submitted, and also at the presence of so many young men at the meeting. It augured well for the future. He referred to the Waikato Maoris and their stand against the Pakehas, and the reply of Eewi : " We will fight for ever and for ever and for ever." Let the young men take that as their watch-word for Christ and His cause.

The customary votes of thanks to the speakers, choir, and chairman were proposed and carried by acclamation. The hearty thanks of the congregation were also accorded to Mr Will for his services as moderator during the vacancy. A slight token of appreciation, it was stated, would shortly be forwarded to him in recognition of his services. Mr Will having suitably replied, the meeting closed with the benediction.

DuriDg the evening several musical selections were very pleasingly rendered by an excellent choir under the leadership of Mr Black, Miss M. Nicoll ably filling the position of organ itt.