ANNIVERSARY TEA MEETING.

Dunstan Times, Issue 989, 1 April 1881, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY TEA MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Presbyterian congregation was held in the Town Hall, Alexandra on the evening of Thursday the 24th inst., and was very successful in all respects. The hall was tastefully decorated with evergreens, etc., abundantly supplied by Mr W. 0. Rees, Galloway Station. The tables were laden with good things provided most excellently by the caterer, Mr Sinclair, whilst the display of fruit of all kinds, including peaches, apricots, plums, apples, and varieties of grapes, liberally contributed as offerings by the fruit growers and settlers around, testified to the capabilities of thn district in this respect; and the Church Committee acknowledge the liberal gifts supplied by the following Messrs Dawson and Iverson, Conroy’s Gully ; Mr Roberts, Fisher, Noble, Theyers, Weaver, M'Kenzie, and Ah Yim, Alexandra ; Mr William Williams and Mr A. A. Oliver, Clyde ; and Mr W. G. Rees, Galloway Station. After a hymn of praise, led by the choir with Mr Holland accompanying on the harmonium, ample justice was done by young and old to tho abundant supply of good things set before them, and when all had finished, the chair was taken by the Rev. J. Lothian, pastor of the congregation, who,in his introductory remarks, mentioned that he had received letters of apology from the Rev. Dr Stewar 4 , of Dunedin, and the Rev. Mr Clinton, Clyde, expressing their great regret at not being able to he present through pressing and unexpected engigernents. Tho Chairman alto, on behalf of the congregation and people of Alexandra, gave a hearty welcome to tho Duustau Presbytery on the occasion of its first meeting, and hoped it would he a means for good to tho interior of Otago. He then addressed the meeting on the “ Highest Education," a subject which ho deemed of importance to every good citizen, whatever church or creed he professed ; and showed that man’s moral hature needs educating, drawing out, expanding, as well as his intellectual and physical. He commended the prudence and foresight of tho early settlers and those avho plan the colonies of New Zealand in Canterbury and Ot igo, hut especially in the latter province, for the great attention they had given and tho liberal provision they had made for tho most important elements necessary' for tho settlement and growth of any country ; but more especially for a new country like ours, and which are still the very things needed now to make this land great an 1 prosperous. These three elements tho Chairman stated are Education in its widest sense, embracing not only elementary and higher, but the highest, education, which latter consists in tho development and growth of all that is good and nohlo in man’s nature. Immigration, whereby those suited to the requirements of tho country arc introduced. Opening up tho country. He spoke on the importance of each of these “ foundation ” elements, and said that they deserved the attention of everyone who wished to help on the progress of tho laud in which they lived.

Tho Moderator of tho Presbytery replied on their behalf, and expressed the pleasure they had experienced in founding a new court of tho church, which was so much needed in Central Otago, and would, ho believed, prove a benefit to Christ’s cause by helping to carry grace to the remotest paHs of the province. The Presbytery acknowledged the hearty welcome they had received that evening, and would remember

heir visit with pleasure Mr niilh ilien avo an interesting and instrue ivo address n 11 A recent visit to the Old Country,” nd concluded by expressing Ills he’ief that n many respects this new land of ours posesses superior advantages, and that though lone of us might live to see it, this land vould yet become what it is often named — ho Britain of the South, with its ports full if shipping from every laud, and its surface severed with people. M r Eobt. Finlay was the next speaker. \fter reading the financial statement, and sontrasting that of 1879 with that of 1830, le showed that there had been considerable irogress and prosperity in the affairs of the songregation, and that they had been able ;o add to the minister’s stipend. He said ihat they had been able with their own s(forts and aid of grant from Synod to wipe alf a debt of between £4)9 and £SOO, so that the church wis now free of debt and free to worshippers, as they had no seat rent*. For this state of matters they were largely indebted to the exertions of their •lergyman. Hev Mr Telford recounted some experiences of his early visits to the district, and congratulated the congregation on their prosperity, hoping that through its causa religion would be extended, and prove a blessing to many. EevMrßlackio gave a stirring address on “ Happiness,” and showed that religion and well-doing are the surest means of securing true enjoyment. Two years ago he had witnessed an event of importance to the district, viz , the placing or ordination of a minister at Alexandra, and to-day he had witnessed another event, which ho trusted would also prove a blessing to those within the bounds, and that it would enable the Presbyterian division of the great army of Christ’s church to carry the message of Jesus to the souls of men. During the intervals the choir sung several hymns, and were accompanied on the harmonium by Mr Eolland. Solos appropriate to the occasion were also given by M ssrs Austin, Rees and Eolland. At the conclusion thanks were passed to the choir, the ladies, the speakers, the donors of fruit, and the chair, and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by singing the Dismission hymn.