PRESBYTERIAN TEA MEETING.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2785, 16 January 1869, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN TEA MEETING.

A TEA MEKTING in connection with the Presbyterian Church, Wilhs street, took place on Thursday evening last in the schoolroom behind the Church. There was a very fair attendance of members of the congregation, and after having taken v good repaat, -which was provided by Mr Dixon, baker, the company went to the Church The Rev. Mr Paterson, the pastor of the Church, presided, and during the evening the choir sung some new hvmne in a very pleasing manner. The proceedings commenced with praise and prayer. The Rev. Mr Paterson said that whilst he was glad to see that many were present to assist him on the platform, some were absent through un avoidable causes ; he had sent an invitation to Mr Moir, but he had replied that he was unable to attend ; Mr Fell and Mr M'Gowan ware absent, as well as Dr Bennett and others. He was glad to see Mr Woodward and Mr Muir present. The object of this mpeting was, in one respect, a social one, to enable the various members of the congregation to become better acquainted, bufc they would also have a report read, showing the progress of the Church. It had been said that at these soiree 9 at some times there was a good deal of light talk, which might afterwards be regretted, but he hoped, while a great deal might fairly be eaid on this occasion, which would not be appropriate from the pulpit on the Lord's Day, nothing would be said, which a Christian gontloman should not speak nor a Christian congregation hear. Some time ago he had felt, on first coming here, grieved at severing old lies, but he now felt entirely at home. He had met with so much kindness, and he hoped long to continue his ministrations. Before sitting down he would say he had 'been amazed at the liberality of the congregation ; this was aright thing to do in obedience to the apostolic injunction, and he commended tho congregation for it. Mr Grey, the Secretary of the Committee of Management., then read the congregational report. Mr Grey then referred to the collections for the ypar on the Sabbath Day, amounting to £361 10s 9d ; being an average of £7 a Sabbath. This was most encouraging, and he hoped the contribution would be continued to the same extent; and that all would contribute generally alike, so that the burden might not fall unfairly. Mr Grey then spoke in commendable terms of the manner in which the sabbath school had been conducted and alluded to the improved psalmody of the congregation. The Rev. Mr Paterson expressed his indebtedness to Mr Grey for much of tho efficiency of the choir, and was sure he was only expressing tho thoughts of all present. Mr W. Taylor then read a balance sheet showing the financial position of the Church. The statement, all would agree with him, was a satisfactory one; and if other financial treasurers could produce as satisfactory a statement th«y would bo nblo to indulge, as he could not, in tho flowers of rhetoric. He hoped the statement would be printed and circulated, and that as satisfactory a one would be produced next ' year. The Rev. Mr Patergon expressed his gratification ht the reports, and said he was amazed at the unostentatious liberality of the congregation. Mr Quin rose to express his satisfaction at the statements which had been made, and bore testimony to the exertions of the committee. He moved that the rpport be adopted, printed, and circulated. Carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was then given to the Committee. It was dpcidfid that the Committee should still consist of eight members, and be elected annually. Tho gentlemen who had been serving for the pasb year were then re-elected ; and one having resigned. Mr Smith was added to the number. j Mr MoKenzie, the Secretary to the Sabbath School, then read his report, which showed 192 names were on the books, and that the average attendance was 120. Tho fum of £19 10s s<i had been subscribed by the children, and £12 5s lOd had been expended in the purchase of periodicals and other things required by the school. The sum of upwards of £24< had also been collected by the children for the Presbyterian mission ship Dayspring, which vessel is expected! here next month, with our old friend, Mr Inglish, when the Rev. Mr Watt and Mrs Watt will proceed in her to the New Hebrides, the scene of their future missionary labors. He siud thnt he had little to remark after what had fallen from Mr Qrry and the Rev. Mr Paterson. The importance of Sabbath Schools was well known ; and he could testify to the manner in which the work was done in the school attached to this church, where teachers and taught alike took an interest in tho work. He hoped the benefits of the school would be more largely tnken arl vantage of; parents should see their' responsibilities in this matter, and send their children to school ; he also hoped that more teachers would come forword and assist in the work. The Rev. Mr Patoi-son, after referring to the practical address of Mr McKenzic, called for some one to move the adoption of the report. The report was then adopted. The Rev. Mr Piiterson then bore testimony to the merits of Mr Fraser. ' Mr Woodward made a short address on Sabbath Schools ; he need scarcely sny that there wns work for tho congregation to do a3 well as the minister ; and he believed the congregation would do it. Wi'h regard to Sunday Schools, he had been connected with them for sotno considerable time, and had seen great improvements take place in the management ; among other respects, in the teaching of the scriptures. He could remember the time when ministers were jenlous of the touchers instructing in tho scriptures, but they soon saw their mistake. Ho could hardly call Sunday-school' teaching a labor. Speaking from a long experience, ho could say that it wns rather a pleasure. He looked on churches and Sabbath schools as mutually dependent institutions; and hoped to hear, on a future occasion, that sorno of the cluldron, being grown up, luirl entered the church. The Rev. Mr Paterson, after referring to tho excellent address just delivered, referred to tho existence of a young men's bible class, and said that it was his intention to form a young women's class. Ho thought also it would be better to have week-day prayer on Wednesday than, on Thursday. . Tho Key. Mr Muir, after expressing his high appreciation of Mr Patorson's talents and character, said ho was glad to see tho Sabbath school in po prosperous si condition. The Rev. Mr Kirk oxpressod. (ho cordial feeling he entertained towards the Presbyterian Church, with which, through various circumstances, he hud been led to fraternise more than former Wesleyan ministers of his congregation, und had frequently changed pulpits with tho preachers of that chiirch, and, lie might say, belonged almost a 9 much to llnit church as to tho Wesleyan. Mr Patpr3on was a triod man, and the congregation were fortunate in having obtained such a. man ; for his intlef'at inability was already beginning to make itself folt. After a few words from Mr Paterson, votes of thank a were given to the chairman and tho choir, the benediction was pronounced, and the meeting separated.