PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ANNUAL TEA MEETING.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 176, 26 March 1878, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ANNUAL TEA MEETING.

The annual gathering in connection with the Presbyterian Church was held on Wednesday evening, in the Town Hall. The tea was in a style fan superior to anything seen of the kind m Akaroa, and the hall was most tastefully decorated. The following ladies' provided trays:—Mesdames Billens, Wood, Welch. Davis, Brhwn, and Meech, the bachelors of the congregation providing two trays. About 150 sat down to tea, and seemed thoroughly to enjoy the good things set before them. After the tables had been cleared, and the audience had taken their seats, the Rev. Mr Douglas apologised for the unavoidable absence of some male voices from the choir, owing to the visit of Sir G. Grey. The choir then sang the hymn and chorus —" Arise and shine."

After a'prayer had been offered by the Rev. Mr Waddell, Mr Douglas delivered a report of the proceedings of the Church during the last twelve months, prefacing it hysome remarks expressive of his gratification at seeing such a numerous audience before him, p.nd among them so many friends of other congregations. Witli regard to Church matters, there had been a "steady advance, both in attendance and finance. A great want had been supplied by the building of the Manse, for which subscriptions had come in with great liberality. There was at present a debt of about £150, but he believed that that would be considerably reduced by some subscriptions already promised, but noc yet paid, while some persons had not yet been solicited for contributions. He gave an account of the services which he had been able to hold during the year in various parts of the Peninsula. The number of communicants was 55, and he believed it would be larger but for the fact that they had only been able to hold Communion Services in two places, viz., Akaroa and Pigeon Bay. The receipts on account of the stipend fund had been £240 14s sd, leaving a deficiency of £9 5s 7d, which was due to the fact that Wainui and Robinson's Bay had contributed nothing, and Le Bon's Bay only £2 Bs. On the whole he might say that although they had many things against them, they had more for them than against them. Looking back upon the year, they had cause to thank God for the past, and to take courage for the future. The choir then sang " Rock of Ages."

The Rev Mr Douglas announced that the following gentlemen had been elected as a Committee for the ensuing year, viz:—Messrs Billens, Meecb, Annand, Missen, W. Brace, Black, and Dalglish.

Mr H. Billens then read the report of the Sunday School, from which it appeared that there were about 85 children on the roll, with a good average attendance. There were eight teachers, and Mr Billens appealed to those present to augment the number, as their staff was insufficient. They also needed books and other appliances, which hitherto the teachers had furnished. He thought, however, that as the teachers gave their time, the parents should supply these requisites. The report concluded by urging on the elder youths the duty of not abandoning the school.

The choir here sang in a ' very spirited manner the hymn and chorus entitled " To the Work."

The Rev Chairman then rose and said, he had a very pleasing duty to perform. They all knew their excellent friend Mr Billens. His exertions on behalf'of the church were most indefatigable ; in fact, he might call him a man of all work. They felt that such zeal deserved some acknowledgment, and owing to the exertions of some members of the congregation the articles before him had been procured, which he now had the happiness of presenting to Air Biilens. The presentation consisted of a handsome eight-day clock, a box of water-colors, and a drawing-pad. They all knew his taste for art, and in conclusion he had to express his earnest hopes that Mr Billens' services would be long continued to them. Mr Billens, in returning thanks, said, he could not find words to express his gratitude for such a handsome present. He had thought it his duty to do what he could, and he had never expected any recompense. When he looked at the clock it would serve to remind him to be more dilligent in their service, while the box of colors would give him the greatest pleasure, and stimulate him to greater efforts in painting, to which pursuit he was devotedly attached. (Applause.) Hymn and chorus by the choir— <; By the gate they'll meet us." Mr Nicholls, who was called upon to speik, said that he had hoped to get out of it, seeing there were so many gentlemen who were about to address them. He then detailed the result of his examination of the papers sent in by the Bible class. They were all creditable, buttheiirst three were remarkably so. In alluding to the subject of education, he was reminded of the old story about " nothing like leather." He then made some earnest remarks as to the importance of education in general, and that imparted in the Sunday school in particular. The choir then sang "My Faith looks up to thee," after which the Eev. Mr Waddell delivered an energetic and eloquent address, in which after remarking that he had a " sacred horror of tea-meet-ings," and giving an amusing account, of his journey^to Akaroa, he dwelt on the evils of intemperance and the advantages of total abstinence.

Some time prior to this Sir G. Grey, accompanied by tho Hon. Mr Fisher, Mr Montgomery, and others had entered the Hall. Sir George was received by the .audience standing and with applause. At this stage of the proceedings a general call was made upon the Premier for a speech, but that gentleman stated, through the Chairman, that he preferred that the programme should be gone through with, when he would make a few remarks. "Meet, me at the Fountain "was then sung by Mrs Ruffle as a solo, the choir taking the chorus. The lady sang with great taste and was ably supported by the choir. The Revs P. C. Anderson and Burnett then gave brief addresses, the former dwelling on the advantages of Ohnstianunity, and the latter on education and moral training. Sir Geokge Grey, who rose amid loud applause, then made a highly interesting speech, which wo regret our limited space does nut allow us to furnish our readers with at greater Jeugih. The honorable gentleman commenced by observing that having had no conception up to that moment of having to address them he had not, like the

other speakers, made the slightest preparation. He would- therefore just utter the thoughts that came uppermost in his heart. They might at least have the charm of novelty. He had been a wanderer on the surface of the eaith, had seen many countries and many nations, but there was one nation on which his heart's affections were set, and that was the youn°nation oC New Zealand—(Great applause) —and there was one spot in that country' which he should always love, and that was Akaroa. (Cheers.) He than, in a most feeling and eloquent manner, described his former visits to this place. On his first visit he had heard fearful accounts of rapine and maasacre—of natives being killed, kidnapped on board ship, and cooked in the ship's coppers. Even then he had formed favourable visions of the future. On his next visit he had found a struggling and industrious class of settlers from France and Germany. When tie arrived that day he had wondered whether he should find his hopes realised. It gave him extreme pleasure to witness the changes that had taken place. He could not desire to look upon a happier scene than that which now met his eyes, f Applause.) Previous speakers had referred to the subject of education. There were many opinions put forward on this subject with which he could not agree. Young men must not think that when they left school their education was complete ; on I the contrary, they had then only got the I means of acquiring knowledge. The older we grew, the more we felt how little we knew. Scientific knowledge had its uses from a material point of view, but it was not the highest kind of knowledge. There was a kind of knowledge that was worth acquiring, and that was the knowledge of doing their duty to their fellow men (Applause.) He had mixed in the society of the greatest Courts- in the world, and he had entered cottages, and in a humble wayside cottage it had often been his happiness to find a perfect lady, and why? Because he had found a true Christian woman. True polish consisted in thinking little of self, and thinking much of others. Sir George then referred in a feeling manner to Sunday Schools, and the advantages to the country derivable from the religious training of the j'oung. He saw many children before him, and had seen a number that day at the school. It affected him deeply to think that among these children would be the future great men of New Zealand. Sir George concluded bytendering some excellent advice to the young, pointing out the great possible future that lay before them, and resumed his seat amidst loud and prolonged cheers. The Rev Chairman, in the name of the meeting, thanked Sir George Grey for hia presence and highly interesting speech. In answer to numerous calls, Mr Montgomery then came forward, and expressed the pleasure it gave him to see ministers of different branches of the Church united on a common platform. . He attributed this to the spread of education, as, when we came to know those who differed from us, we always found more in them to love than to hate. He paid a tribute to the energy and zeal of Sir George Grey, and said it gave him great pleasure' to see around him so many familiar faces.

The Hon. Mr Fisher made a few appropriate remarks, and

The Key Chairman then said that it became his duty in the name of the congregation and meeting, -to tender their hearty thanks to the members of the outgoing Committee, to Mr Billens. and the Sunday school teachers, to the ladies who had so generously provided the " spread," to Miss Connell and Mrs Davis, who had presided at the piano and harmonium respectivel}', to the choir, the speakers, the decorators of the hall (Messrs Billeas, Morey, and Austin), the doorkeepers, and, in fact, to all who had assisted them whether in money or otherwise. Three cheers were then given for Sir George Grey, Mr Montgomery, and the rest of the visitors, the choir sang " Home Sweet Home " very sweetly, Mr Anderson pronouncd the Benediction, and the meeting separated, each and all declaring that they had spent a most enjoyable evening.