NEW PRESBYTERY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11220, 11 December 1911, Page 5

NEW PRESBYTERY.

AN IMPORTANT EVENT,

To-morrow will mark an important epoch in the history of Presbyterian ism in Wairarapa, the occasion being the inaugural meeting of the Wairarapa Presbytery, which will be held in Kno> Church. The visiting and local ministers and their wives will be entertained by the session of Knox Cnurcli at, luncheon in the Arcadia Tearooms at 1 o'clock. Short addresses ot welcome will be delivered by tlie local ministers, and at 2 o'clock the initial meeting of Presbytery will be held, when the roll will be mado up and the Presbytery constituted. At 4 o'clock a garden party will be tendered by the Ladies' Social Guild to the visitors, Knox Church congregation and friends in. the grounds of Mr aud Mrs H. T. Wood, which have been kindly lent for the occasion. During the afternoon a photograph of the first minister in Wairarapa (Rev. J. Ross) aud surviving members of the original Masterton Presbyterian congregation will be taken. Amongst tho visitors will bo the Rev. J. Ross, of Wanganui, who resided in Masterton 44 years ago, and the Rev. P. B. Fraser, M.A., formerly of Lovell's Flat, Otago, and home missionary superintendent of the Presbvteriau Church in New Zealand. " In the evening a big public meeting will be held in Knox Church, commencing at 7.30 o'clock, when addresses will be given by the Rev. P. B. Fraser, M.A., on the history and doctrine of the Presbyterian Churcn ; the Rev. J. Ross, on the early days in Wairarapa; the Rev. G. R. Stowell on the Presbyterian Church and missions; and the Rev. .L.Thompson, M. A., on " What we owe to tho Presbyterian Church." Tho choir and organist of Knox Church will be present, and will render a number of special musical items. At the meeting of the 'Presbytery in the afternoon, those present will be tho Mill (Pahiatua), L. Thompson (Carterton), Stowe (Grey- 7rowii and Featherston), and Tennett (Martinborough), and an older from each of the ordained charges in the Wairarapa. Messrs Rattray (Pongaroa) and Ralph (Eketahuna), home missionaries, will also be among the visitors. Only the ministers and elders will have power to vote at the meeting. It is hoped to arrange for an illustrated supplement to be published in the Outlook dealing with the church in Wairarapa, and containing articles, etc., on the aims of the Presbytery in regard to extending home missions, and other work connected with the Church. As the occasion will be a historic step in connection with the Church in Wairarapa, it is to be celebrated, in a maimer befitting its importance. All the arrangements are completed, and the various functions give every promise of being a decided success.