ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1922, 3 December 1913, Page 4

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.

DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. Tho celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the foundation of .St. John's Presbyterian Church was continued-last evening, when a large meeting was held in tho Town Hall. The Rev. j)r. James Gibb (pastor of St. John's) presided, and with him on tho platform were: The Revs. Andrew Cameron (Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Now Zealand),'A. C. Randerson (Moderator of the Wellington Presbytery), J. Paterson (for. thirty-five years pastor of fit. "John's), J. Comrio (secretary of tho Presbyterian Church of. New Zealand), W. Shirer (St. James's, Newtown), J. Kennedy Elliott (Kent Terrace), V'eu. Archdeacon Harper (representing tho Arglican community), Hon. C. M. Luke, a.t.L.C, and representatives of the various Nonconformist Churches and tho Salvation Army. In tho audience were many other clergymen of all denominations.

Apologies for absence were received from the Prime Minister (the Hon. W. F aiassoy), tho Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Sprott), Sir Walter Buchanan, ami several other members of Parliament, the Revs. A. M. Johnson '.St. Paul's Anglican), J. G. Chapman (Taranaki Street Jlethodist), Canon Garland. His Worship the Mayor (air. J. P. Luke), tho Revs. Professors Hewitson and Dickio (Dunedin).

Mr. J. G. W. Aitken read a number of letters and telegrams of congratulations which bad been received by tho pastor and office-bearers of St. John's. Tho 'Wiiitcrs oi tho letters included Professor Ucwitson, the Rev. J. Chisholm (representing the Duucdin Presbytery), Professor Watt, the Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Sprott), G. M. Thomson (M.P. for Dunediu North), Canon Garland, tho Presbyteries of Wellington and Wairarnpa, tiio Mayor of Wellington, Professor Gilray, Professor Dickie, and others. The Rev. A. Cameron congratulated St.' John's, Church on tho splendid celebrations of its diamond jubilee. Ho spoke eulogisticall.v of tho work of Dr. Gibb, with whom ho fiad been a. followstiident at tho Theological College at Edinburgh thirty-live .years ago. Dr. Gibb was "out of sight" the greatest of their mon intellectually, lie could "think Imperially." Ho had come to tho first church, Duncdin, at tho early ago of 27, and had successfully tackled a very heavy and difficult task. When he left Duucdin he had mad© the southern town a hotter town to live in. Ho loved his country, his kirk, and tho work to which ho had been called. Tho speaker also referred to Mrs. Gibb, without whom Dr. Gibb could never liave got through his work.

The Rev. J. Paterson said that tho success of tho celebrations was ii great encouragement to tho minister and office-bearers of the Church. He- was very thankful that ho had been spared to tako part in tho jubilee of tho Church which held such a place in his affections. If tho community was more deeply and widely leavened with Christianity there would bo less of that industrial unrest of which they had heard so much of late. .Ho hoped the celebrations would encourage them to go on and do better work. The c-xtousioii of tho Church of Christ was the best and most important thing for tho nation.

Tho Yen. Archdeacon Harper conveyed to St. John's the hearty congratulations of tho Anglican communion. He spoke of tho great vvorlc which was being done in Wellington, and throughout the world, by tho i'resbyterian Church. He was assured that tho day would eventually come when tho two Churches would bo united in belief and "practice, but this could not bo until they recognised what was good in each other, and respected each other in their differences. The Bible-in-sehools movement had brought the two Churches closo together, and there wero many other things in which they stood together. Mr. J. G. W. Aitkcn, on. behalf of the ladies of St. John's, presented Dr. Gibb with a new gown. Mr. J, M'Kerrow presented Mrs. Gibb with a piece of jewellery on behalf of the Kirk Session.

Dr. Gibb expressed his appreciation of (ho kindness of the congregation. St. John's was now a great corporation, and had a great, work to do. Tiio Church was deeply indebted to its officebearers, who wero a splendid lot of great-hearted men. A number of musical items wore rendered, and supper was afterwards served.

The piano used was kindly lent I 'Messrs." Begg and Co.