PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOIREE, LOVELLS FLAT.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 143, 6 April 1877, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOIREE, LOVELLS FLAT.

The soiree in connection , with the Presbyterian congregation, at Lovells' Flat, took place on the evening- . of Thursday, the 29th ult.,. and proved to be a highly successful affair.. The night was beautiful — this bo doubt he'iped to swell the number ..attending* When the chair was taken, shortly afte'rseven o'clock, the building was quite filled.

The proceedings commenced by the chairman, the'Rey. John M'Ara, giving out two, verses -of the 100 th psalm. A blessing* was then asked, after, which the company partook of the good things, which' the ladies of the. congregation had provided; of these there was great abundance. .

After tea, the proceedings proper began by the Chairman making, a few remarks, in the course of which he congratulated ' the congregation on the prosperous circumstances in which it found itself, with a church nicely and comfortably finished, and almost free of debt.

The Chairman then read the report of the Deacons' Court, from which we gathered that the amount which passed through the Treasurer's hands during the year was close' on LIOO, The amount contributed to the Sustentation Fund was about L7o'; Missions, L7. 10s ; Dayspring, Li 7s .6d ; Synod collections, LI 15s ; Church-door collections, L2O 6s sd. In addition to these there was a revenue for the year of LI 3, from the church glebe. • This rent had been allowed to accumulate for some years, and from the amount thus accruing, the, church during 1 the year had, been finished, painted, and otherwise improved, so that now the building is both, comfortable and neat. The 1 report closed with an expression of gratitude to Messrs Adam and Gilbert for their valuable service rendered to the congregation monthly in the absence of the minister, who conducted service at Te Houka.

Mr M'Ara then, in the name of the Deacons' Court and cong'reg-aiion, presented Mr Allan Marshall with a silver watch. Jn doing- so, he stated that Mr Marshall had for years conducted the psalmody of the congregation well and regularly, and that the watch was a small token of gratitude for the services he had rendered.

Tue watch bore the following inscription : — " Presented to Mr Allan Marshall by the Presbyterian Congregation, Lovells Fiat, for gratuitous services in connection with the psalmody, 1877."

In accepting the watch, Mr Marshall expressed his thanks in a few appropriate remarks.

The hymn, " Shall we Gather at the River,'.' was then sang- by Mr Adam and his family, after which, Rev. Mr Allan gave a very interesting' address on " Growing- Pains." He divided the subject into. physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual growing- pains, and illustrated- each in a very strikingmanner.

After the hymn, "Work, for thti .Night is Coming-," had been sung,

Mr James Adam followed with an interesting, address on " Extremes." In his remarks he ranged from the Welling tonia Qigantea and Eucalyptus of 500 feet high, to the microscopic lichen which made no perceptible advance in forty years. In illustrating' his subject he brought forward many interestingfacts from the world of nature.

The hymn, " What shall the Harvest be," was then given, after which the chairman called upon Mr Gilbert, who delivered a fervid address on "Earnestness," in the course of which he very happily introduced Old Humphrey's story of "'Fustian Jacket."

Then followed the hymn, "0 Think of the Home Over There," and the anthem, " Hosannah," which were admirably rendered by the choir. Indeed, the manner in which Mr Adam and his family gave the several pieces on the programme displayed great taste and precision. We have seldom heard these beautiful hymns more sweetly sung*. We were not surprised, therefore, that at the close Mr Adam and his family were accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. A similar compliment was paid to the speakers, the ladies, the deacons, and the chairman. We are requested to state that by an omission, the name of Mrs 'Smith Bryce was passed over, when votes of thanks were being given.. Through, that lady's efforts, matting 1 fbr the floor of -the church and covers for the communion tables were obtained, and in other ways she has shown a lively interest. in the pi'osperity of- the cono-reg-ation. We were also informed that there is a Sabbath School in connection with the church, which is well attended, and for yenvs lias been efficiently conducted by Misses Marshall. and Bowie!

The soiree .-was brought to a close about .ten .o'clock, and we are free to say, , tliAt it, was abo.ut the 'most, pleasant and : successful affair, of. the kind ever held in Lo veils Fh.-t. '■•