PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 485, 8 March 1881, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE.

The following are a few further particulars concerning this gathering, which took place last Thursday evening at the Oddfellows' Hall.

After the tables had been cleared proceedings commenced by the singing of the 100 th Psalm, after which the Rev Mr Homer, of Papanui, engaged in prayer.

The Rev W. Douglas said he would have preferred, under the circumstances, that it had fallen to the lot of some one else to take the chair. He had to apologise for the absence of the Rev Mr Ehnslie. The Rev Mr Homer, of Papanui, would now address them.

The Rev Mr Homer said he hoped they would excuse any shortcomings on his part. He had just come off a journey ; and, though they had had a fine trip, ho felt a little ehaken. He remembered assisting at a similar, gathering held some years ago for the purpose of welcoming their present pastor. They had now met to say farewell to him. In losing Mr Douglas the congregation would lose a faithful, zealous minister. His brethren in the Presbytery would also miss him greatly. He might say that it was against the earnest advice of several of his brethren that Mr Douglas had come to Akaroa. The speaker then went on to refer to the work of church extension. Six years ago there were only six congregations in connection with the Presbytery. There were now sixteen. Mr Homer spoke of the changes that had taken place in the Presbytery during that time, and dwelt at some length on the death of a minister, a personal friend of his own, who had formerly had charge of a congregation in Dublin. As evincing the affection subsisting between pastor and people, ho mentioned that sums amounting in all to nearly £3,000 had been raised for his widow and family. After referring briefly to the present state of affairs in Ireland and quoting an anecdote of Dean Swift's as to the appointment of the Irish bishops, t'.ie speaker concluded with a fervent eulogiura of the Rev Mr Douglas, whom he heartily wished God speed.

An excellent musical programme was then gone through, in which the following ladies and gentlemen took part —Mes dames Stocker, Wilkins, Black, and Rich, Miss Grange, Mr T. Grange, Mr and Master Hay field.

*The music was interspersed with addresses by the Rev H. Stocker, Dr Guthrie, Mr Patterson, theological student, and Mr O. McDonald.

After the delivery of the last item on

the programme, The Rev W. Douglas roso to say a few words of farewell to his own congregation and his friends and neighbors. It was seven years since he had come among them, and he might say that he had been persuaded against coming. Daring those seven years, however, ho had never regretted coming. It was true ho had had some rougbish work, but lie had enjoyed excellent health through it all. Only once had ho, in deference to advice, intermitted his ministerial duties, and then the service had been taken for him by a friend. He mentioned this that others might not be discouraged from coming here. He parted from his people with the deepest regret. Ho was not aware how deep roots the tree had till it was about to be uprooted. He might say that he had clone pioneer work in the place. He had found matters disorganised. However he had found the people willing to help. During the seven years they had raised nearly £1000 for church purposes. He hoped it had not been for nothing. He looked upon people as plants in a garden: they needed watering. The Gospel was the message of Divino love to sinners. What had lightened his labor was the privilege of carrying round the gospel. Hβ hoped that his people would not be discouraged. He hoped they would secure a better and more popular minister than himself. For his part he had never sought for or desired popularity. The popularity he wished for was that expressed by the ancient Roman proverb— Laudari a laudatis ; or, to be praised by those who were also worthy of praise. He parted with :e2fretfrom their lovely little town. Tin; very si<*ht of Akaroa was a weighty inducement to him to settle down in it. He believed Akaroa and its surroundings to be the loveliest spot in New Zealand. During his residence here he was glad to say that he had been on friendly terms with members of other churches. He hoped the other churches would continue to do good work. He had been called to another place. He was not leaving because of a " bigger screw," to use a colonial expression. At the same time he did not see what harm there was in a minister availing himself of a chance of promotion if it were offered him. He did not see why ministers should be judged by a different standard to other men. He bid farewell to his own people, and wished them soon another minister. He bid farewell to his friends and neighbors of other churches. He bid farewell to their charming little town, but hoped to bo able to re-visit it. In conclunion lie bid them all a friendly, but he hoped not a final, farewell.

The rev gentleman then resumed his seat amidst loud applause, and the Benediction, pronounced by the Rev Sir Homer, brought the proceedings to a cloae.

Before leaving the hall, a number of those present went on the platform to bid Mr Douglas personally farewell.