ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, WAITAHUNA,

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4895, 28 September 1901, Page 3

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, WAITAHUNA,

[Own Cobbespondent.]

The third anniversary of St. Matthew's Church was celebrated by a social in the Good Templars' Hall on Wednesday evening, the 25th instant, and proved a great success. Not only did the Anglicans themselves turn out in fall force, bat a number of the Presbyterians and Roman Catholics were also present;, which showed the good feeling existing amongst the people of the different denominations. The young people went to a good deal of trouble in adorning the building. The walls in the body of the hall were vary nicely deoorated with ferns and daffodils and the stage befng tastefully draped and adorned with toitois, fern, and narcissi.

The Rev. Canon Richards presided] and in his opening remarks said he was delighted to meet again with so many of his flock at a social gathering of this kind. It wae both pleasant and profitable to them all to have a social gathering of this kind at least once a year. He had hoped that Archdeacon Beaumont would have been able to be present with them, but he had received a. letter from the rev. gentleman stating tbat it was not possible for him to attend, buC though absent in person be would be present in spirit, concluding by wishing them all a pleasant evening. Ihe Chairman then went on to say that it snould be the aim of the congregation to encourage a feeling of unity and fellowship one with another, and although social meetings of this kind did not actually produce those feelings, still they were the means of fostering them, as they gave an opportunity of meeting and conversing together in a kind and sociable manner, thereby strengthening the bonds of brotherly love. He was delighted to see so many belonging to other denominations present. There was nothing of the stand-

off style about the Wsitahuna people, and they ought all thank God that there was such a kind feeling existing amongst I all classes in the district. The rev. gentleman then informed his people fcbac he had succeeded ia getting a curate, in the person of Mr Kay, whom he expected to arrive at an early date. He felt certain they would give their curate a warm welcome and that they would all work as heartily with him as they had done, and were still doing, with their pastor. He had every confidence in Mr Say and felfc certain tbafc he would do true and genuine work for his Master. A word of counsel was then given, showing that there must be co-operation in church work. Tbe minister could not do all by himself. He would like them to realise that the Church was theirs and that they ought to take a deep interest in it and do all in their power to farther its interests. When there wove only a few interested there could not be such good work done. He was glad to say they were all working unitedly together, and however diffioult Church work may seem, however strong the devices of Satan, still if they commit all their ways to God He will watch over them and a rich blessing was sure to follow.

A splendid musical programme was placed before the meeting, the following ladies and gentlemen contributing : — Piano solo, Miss Wilkins ; Bong, "Avourneen," Miss Jean M'Kenzie, very sweetly rendered; song, " Dream of Paradise," Mr H. Brnee most accurately given and with good effect; pong, " Valley of the sea," Mr Hutton, given in a masterly manner, and for an encore he gave "The skipper "; song, "The mission of the rose," Miss Tilly Livingston, nicely sung and with considerable taste ; song, " Asleep on the deep," Mr Hunter, capitally done and received an encore j song, " City by the ses," Miss Gotit>on,Bung with good taste and made a favorable impression and had to respond to an encore ; song, Ship oh hoy," Mr Uren, very well rendered, and for an encore he gave " Hearts of oak " ; song, " The better land," Mr Hutton, exceedingly well rendered with great taste and feeling and much appreciated and he had to submit to another encore and gave " The river of jears."

An abundance of first class refreshments provided by the ladies of St. Matthew's Church were banded round and after full justice had been done them the Chairman congratulated the Committee on the snccesß of tbe meeting, the ladies and others on the way in which the ball was decorated and announced that a social would be held ia the Gully on Friday eveniog.

Mr Barnett, on behalf of the congregation, thanked the ladies for the abundance of good things provided, and the audience tor their attendance.

Miss Wilkins played the accompaniments during the evening.