ANNUAL PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE AT SPRINGBURN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2115, 22 April 1889, Page 3

ANNUAL PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE AT SPRINGBURN.

(CommurJoated.)

Tbe annual soiree of the Springburn and Alford Forest Presbyterian Church was held In tbe Sprlngburn school or Tuesday- evening, tea belug provided on the tables at 6 p.m. Tbe tables wore furnished by McscUmea MoFarlaeo, Motiae, and Morrison and Miss Muirhead. There was also a table furnished by the birhelors of the dlitriot which was extensively patronised. The tables wero tastefully decorated and sumptuously loaded, reflecting great credit on the goaeroui provide™. About ICO people sat down to tea, af'er whloh the seats wire re-arranged and a sacred concert followed. The speakers of the evening wore the ohairman (Rev. W. Flnlayson). and Revs Beaitle, Blake and Riddle. The Chairman In his opening address spoke of a considerable Increase m the number of ohuroh members during the twelve months of hla tehpreof the oharge. Be also adverted to the fact of the ohuroh services being Increased at least four-fold, and the communion ooremonies being held m different districts of the oharge, and not j m one distriot enly as baa previously been tbe case. There wbb no excuse for people being doll and apathetic In the cause of religion, now tbat opportunities were so numerous, and he was glad to find that Increased opportunities b*d not only Increased the number of churoh attendants, but had likewise produced an tuorease of rial as evidenced by tbe young people of ooth sexes, who, not only m this part of tbe oharge, but to the other dlstriots also, vis,, Methven, Mount Vomers and Rangltata were actively engaged m the conduct of Sunday schools. Bis oharge was no sinecure, extending as it did from the Rangltata to tbe Rakata and from tbe hills and Mount Somers Gorge to the borders of the Tlnwald and Ashbnrton church charges. In hla subsequent remarks the Ohairman spoke highly of Mr Wallace's good, willing, and able work whloh had been instrumental to a large extent In promoting that recognised religious feeling especially noticeable In the young men and young ladles of this district. Mr Wallace bad been a devoted elder, a praotioal and effiolent Committeeman, ar well as an earnest exponnder of the Wot pel. I a addition to that hta humane and kindly disposition had made blm friends even among those whose hearts were not sufficiently alive to the reception of those golden troths without which all is vain. It was intended to have presented Mr Wallace with a pureo of sovereigns on this occasion, but that gentleman having had to leave this distriot at the end of march, his friends had met a day or two before bis departure and had made the presentation while he was etill m their midst. The Ohairman also wished to mention the kind help of Mrs Wallace, and also to thank Mr and Mrs Tomlinson who were shortly to leave the distiiot, for' their share m helping on the Presbyterian cause, Mr Beattie spoke on ''Sodality" telling the people that to be happy m thia world we must get beyond Belf and think .of others' happiness, and that the moat miserable beings were those who were oburlish and disobliging Be advocated good books so tbat people might learn not only what was good for themselves, but have something worth eoirimunicating to their friends and companions. No two persons were alike and an interchange of opinions and ideas was Wholesome to a large extent. He believed m sti?i*l gatherings, m songs and music of the rigu* description, but he could not countenance Dall » ftQd &**<&* and •uch like unprofitable pastimes. Mr Blake gave an inteT?^* discourse on Mission life m I D dia am* other eastern lands, and Mr Biddle followea With an exhortation fo young men and women to con 1 mn c earnest m good works and not to be weary m well doing or be allured and turned iside by the pleasures and temptations of tbe world. After suitable expressions of thanks which were ourried unanimously to the ladies furnishing the tea tables, tbe performers at the concert with special mention of Miss Shury, Miss Kidd, and Mrs Wallace who had all travelled from Ashburton, and of Mr Oranges who bad journeyed from Methven, to ihe speakers, and to the Chairman the meeting closed with tbe benediction, The financial result of the entertainment, .when all has been gathered m, will amount to about £8 clear of all expense*. The following is the programme: — •'Hlory to fcod," by the Choir; "Became to Bfthany," Choir; "The Light of tbe World ia Jesus," Miss Johnston and Mr J, Hunter; "Ooming of the KiDgdom," Choir ; '•• Oh Land of Rest," Miss Ben ha Hood and Miss Annie Flnlayson ; " None but Christ can satisfy," Choir ; Solo, on piano, Miis E:dd ; "Who toon the Lord's aide," Mr Granger j Musical selections on tbe violin andp'.ano, by Miss Barrlet Bhury and Miss Eldd (encored) ; " " Not my own." Choir.