PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BAZAAR.

Western Star, Issue 405, 29 December 1880, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BAZAAR.

This event, for which preparations Lave been in active progress during the past five months, was opened under most favorable auspices at one o’clock on Monday. His Worship the Mayer (Mr T. Daniel), by request, opened the bazaar, and in doing so he expressed the sense of pleasure he feit in being asked as an old resident to perform such a pleasing duty. He was greatly astonished at tne qawtity and quality of tho articles dis.plaved; which he (nought was suggestive of the burning of a large amount of “ midnight oil,” by the ladies who had worked so hard in so good a cause. Mr Daniel contrasted the admirable self-supporting siafem of the Presbyterian and other dissenting churches, with the apathy displayed by the adherents and members of his own church. If, he soid, man gave one shilling to the Almighty, it would be sure to be repaid twenty, aye a hundredfold—not perhaps 'immediately, but at one ti.no or other. People should give to the Almighty freely, not grudgingly. Mr Daniel concluded his remarks by expressing a hope that the bazaar would be a success. The bazaar was then declared opened, and the fair attendants upon the stalls prepared with alacrity to do business. The o ject of tho bazaar is doubtless by this time well known. The antiquated struct me that at present does duty as a church neither provides suitable r.cr comfortable accommodation foe the large number of Presbyterians in town. This reproach has been keenly felt for some years past, but it was riot until a twelvemonth ago that any decisive steps were taken to erect a new church This decision was arrived at in preference to a previous proposal to expend £lw(J or £l5O in repairs to tho present building. The resolution to erect a new church was entered into* with energy, and from iho amount of support guaranteed the Deacon’s Court felt encouraged to proceed. The ladies of the congregation warmly entered into the project, and six months ago a bazaar was arranged to be held at the Christmas holidays. That tho ladies have performed their part of tlie contract well and faithfully is evidenced by the extraordinary display of goods now being exhibited for sale ut the Oddfellows’ Hall. Indeed, so literally covered with goods were the walls, stage, and floor that it was difficult to recognise the dingy old hall in its gay attire. The whole of the clothing, fancy wool work, knitting, <to., was made by the ladies of the congregation. Where nearly all afforded more or less assistance, it may be objected to that a few names should be singled out and credited with the success of tho bazaar; but it would be unfair to Mesilames Cameron (the wife of the respected pa lor), G, O. Cussrls, and T. Wniiou not to specially mention their efforts, as upon tucir sltriulders it can truly be sail, without in the least- ignoring the services rendered by other ladies, was laid the “heat and buruen of the day,” On entering the hall ibe visr'or# will observer that it lias been tastefully decorated with evergreens, Ac. There are four stalls for the sale of goods ; also refreshimmt, flower, and dairy produce stalls. No. 1 stall is nrovided over by Mrs Winton, Mrs Fullarton, and Miss hullurton; No. 2 stall: Mrs Cameron, Mrs Chapman, and Miss Rocke; No. 3: Mrs Pankhurst, Miss Winton, and Miss E. Cosscls; No. 4 : Mrs Galliot, Mrs Jno. Reid, and Miss A. Ireland ; flower stall, Mrs Galloway ; and last, though probably the most important, the refreshment stall: Mrs G. O. Caesels. To attempt to describe the whole of the goods would bo a task that with reluctance we confess our inability to perform ; there are so many nick-nacks, beys’ and girls’ clothing of every description, and articles the use of which it is. diflicuh to all but th« initiated to define, that lie would fain we excused from entering into very minute particulars; to obtain those might involve the putting some of the lady at tendants under a lire of questions and crossquestions, and the most sluggish imagination will readily understand that some of the answers would fee to say the least embarrassing. Suffice it to say that the collection is a mostvaried one, and the taste must be hard to please that does not find some suitable article in which to invest. No raffling or other objectionable means of disposing of the articles is allowed : everything i»ticketed at molerate prices, and purchasers got good value for their money. This is a new feature in connection wilh church bazaars, and one which is a credit to the body initiating it. Anarfc from other and higher considerations, the self-respect of a congregation is thereby preserved, and the humiliation felt by an upright mind at a church being built by such means is saved. Music was supplied at intervals by Mr and Mrs Hunter and Miss Rocke. To-day will be the last on which the bazaar will be open ; the charge for admission has been reduced to 6d, therefore those who hare not }et visited it will do well to do so. To-morrow evening a soiree will be held in the hull, when addresses will be delivered by the Revs. Messrs Cameron, Ross, Evven and Paterson. We learn that the takings on Monday amounted to £81; yesterday, £44. The result so far, has quite reached the expectation of the promoters.