PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LE BON'S BAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 202, 25 June 1878, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LE BON'S BAY.

A soiree in connection with the above Church was held in Le Bon's Bay schoolroom, on Friday evening last, when, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, a large company, numbering about a hundred, was gathered together. Mrs Smith generously provided the tea, which was all that could be desired. The room was tastefully decorated by Mr M'Millan, assisted by a few willing hands. After the company had done ample justice to the good things provided, the tables were cleared, and the Rev. Mr Douglas took the chair. The general meeting opened with praise and prayer, after which the Rev. Mr Douglas said he had to begin his remarks by apologising for the absence of friends from Akaroa, who had been prevented attending through the state of the weather. He said this was the first tea meeting they hsd had in Le Bon's, but he thought from the excellent turn-out he saw before him that he was justified in saying it would not be the last. The next tea meeting, however, must be in the summer, when a better programme could bo submitted to th.m. He thought that the Church had a claim upon the sympathies of not only its professed members, but also of outsidersbecause itstendenco was beneficial equally spiritually and temporally. Where Christianity flourished, there social blessings most abounded; Where it was unknown or corrupted, the evil results were apparent, even as regards temporal things. It was exceedingly likely that few of those present would know much about what Presbyterianism was. They might fancy that because there were few Presbyterians here that therefore it was a - small and insignificant" ;body. That, .however, would be a great mistake. From/statistics' recently drawn up, it was found that the Presbyterian body numbered close on forty million,the largest Protestant denomination in the world. The reason why they were called Presbyterians was because they did not hold that there were three orders' of office bearers in the Christian Church, namely bishops, presbyters, and deacons, only two, namely presbyters and deacons. The word bishop being in the New Testament used interchangeably with presbyter. With regard to doctrine they agreed with the teaching of the thirty-nine articles, excepting that article concerning the power of the church. It was also the same as what used to be regarded sound doctine in the Congregational Church. They would see therefore, that, while holding different views on the constitution and Government of the church, there was nevertheless," a basis for united action in very good work. Mr Recce also addressed the meeting in a few earnest words followed by Mr W. Barnett with a lengtly address in which he expressed his admiration of the Presbyterian Church, and said that if he were to leave his own church he would become a Presbyterian. Readings were given by Messrs Hall and McMillan, which were well received.

Mr Gates from Pigeon Bay, presided at the harmonium kindly lent for the occasion. An improvised choir, rendered nicely several hymns. Mis 3 Moore and Mrs

Stevans contributed two songs, which were much applauded, and elicited an encore.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, votes of thanks were most cordially passed to Mrs Smith and those who helped her in arranging the tea; to Mr M'Millan and assistants in the work of preparing the tables and decoration; to Mr Gatas for hia kindness in coming so far to preside at the harmonium ; to the singers and speakers ; and also to the Chairman. The meeting, which was somewhat hurriedly got up, but which was a very pleasant one, broke up about nine o'clock.