CONGREGATIONAL TEA MEETING, LE BON'S BAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 238, 29 October 1878, Page 2

CONGREGATIONAL TEA MEETING, LE BON'S BAY.

The annual Sundaj , School treat, together with a public tea meeting, in connection with Zion Church, took place on Wednesday last. Up till noon it was; thoight that the meeting would have to be postponed on account of the rain, buFlhe weather cleared up, when soon plenty of willing hands assisted in the decoration and erection o£ the tables, so that by half-past three everything was ready for the children, who by that, time had assembled in goodly numbers. Afier various sports had been indulged in, the children adjourned to the church, where they partook of a plentiful supply of good things, and on returning to the paddock they were presented with prizes handed to them by Mr Sheiler, master of the German school. Later in the evening the tea meeting for the parents and friends of; the school and church took place, which was well attended, but would doubtless have been more so had the weather been promising. The public meeting, at 8 p.m., over which Mr Beece presided, was largely attended.

The Chairman briefly referred to the removal of Mr Turvey and family from amongst them, which he deeply regretted, as the church would sustain a loss, and he himself would lose an old friend.

Mr Wm. Barnett urged those present to help forward Sunday School work, which was greatly needed at the present time. He also hoped that Mr Turvey's removal would soon be filled up by man} , of their young men coining forward and engaging themselves in the work of the church. Mr Barnett then gave a brief account of the rise and progress of the Congregational Churches from the time of forming the first Congregational Church in England in 1583 to the present time.

Mr Turvey followed with a short address, thanking them for their expressions of sympathy and good will towards himself and family, and concluded by wishing the Church and Sunday School every success.

Mr Sheiler, in a short speech on Sabbath School work, passed a high eulogium on the good behavior of the school.

The last speaker was Mr J. Kirkby, the Superintendent of the school,, who in a very stirring and earnest manner, exhorted the parents of the children to give more attention to the spiritual training of the young. Votes of thanks were passed to the friends for assisting in getting up the meeting, and,to the Chairmanforpresiding. The meeting was enlivened by the Church Choir singing some excellent pieces of Sacred music, Miss Barnett presiding at the harmonium.