PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ALEXANDRA AND CLYDE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1152, 28 March 1884, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ALEXANDRA AND CLYDE.

7 Annual Social Meeting. ’ The usual gathering in connection with the above congregation was held in the Town Hall, Alexandra, on the evening of Wednesday, the 19th inst. There was a good attendance, and the meeting was most successful. The had was decorated for the ' occasion with evergreens and flowers, and t the tables were abundantly supplied with > eatables, fruits, and flowers. At these ’ tables the ladies hospitably presided, and | vied with each other in their kind pa-lea- ' vours to supply the wants of all, young and 1 old. After ample justice had been done to the good things so liberally provided, the chair 1 was taken by the Rev, J. Lothian, pastor of the congregation, who opened the proceed- \ ings by asking the choir to sing the “ Ta Deum Laudamus,” which they did in a | most efficient manner. The Chairman then made a few intro--1 dnetory remarks, chiefly referring to the - small signs of material progress and the changes of the past five years, and hoping that those who were spared would see in the next five years a very much greater amount of progress in every way. No doubt there would be some progress in these coming years. He had often when riding over the Dunstan Flat, between Alexandra and Clyde, pictured as it wore in a dream, what it might be were it only irrigated, well plant"d with trees, and subdivided into farms, orchards, and Hardens. It would present a fair and beautiful scene . in this now barren and useless waste, and he believed that many, especially of the young people now before him, would yet see wonderful changes in all this district, and far more progress, settlement, and industries than were now anticipated. The choir then sung the hymn—“ God sendeth the Sun,” after which Mr R. Finlay read the annual financial report and St i'ement, from which it appeared that the pmt yeirhad been one of considerable pros penty, and that the Church had i een liberally supported. In submitting the report Mi Finlay observed that the present state of matte-s afforded a very pleasing contrast to that of a year ago, and he considered that every credit was due to those who had collected, and those who had contributed so liberally, and he was quite sure that the congregation and district would have no difficulty in supporting the Church, if each one only did a little, and all put their ahonl ter to the wheel, The choir then sung with effect and power “ Sound the loud timbrel o’er Egypt’s daik sea.” The Rev. Mr Blackie then gave an address on Education, and spoke a few words specially to the young, which lie illustrated by several amusing stories. He urged upon the young tbatthey should be brave, manly, kind, and God fearing, respectful and loving to their parents, and that they should be afraid of nothing but of doing wrong A truly good brave man was afraid of no one, but he was afraid of sinning against his own co’-science and against ids Gnd. The next item on the programme was the sacred piece “ Rath and Naomi,” which was 1 splendidly sung by Mrs A Id red. whose rendering of it was much appreciated by the audience. The Chairman tdien introduced the Mayor of Roxburgh {Mr Th mas An Irew). an old reri 'enc and one whom he was sure they 1 would like to hear address a few words to 1 th m. ’ Mr Andrew said that he had been rather unexpectedly calie 1 upon to make a speech, ‘ and he had not much to say. He would, however, congratulate the congregation on ( their prosperity and success. He was also ( Loeatly pleased to observe many substantial 1 improvements in the town and neighbourhood since he last visited the district seven 1 or eight years ago He noted several new J and substantial premises and public built- ‘ ings and other improvements, arfd most of all he w is struck with the strength and 1 grandeur of the biidgewhioli had been erected 1 over the Molyneux since he was here before. £ Ho hoped, and was euro the place and dis. ( trict would prosper and increase in both £ tern .oral and srnri'nal things. * r he choir, upon being called, then sang 1 “ Forgive blest shade” with excellent taste. ‘ The Rev. M. M’Cosh Smith next al- 1 dr. sied the meering. After congratulating 1 tbe congregation and pas'or on their past 1 sncces-ful off.iris, he said that he hoped that 1 this istrict, and all the districts in the in- 1 terior would yet bnenmeflounshing centres 1 of industry and p .pulation. He would re 1 joice to see Mr Lothian’s dream fu'filled, t and he believed that it would he. He could a remember 8 or 9 years ago sitting on a hill r that o erlook-d the Mauiototo Plains, and s in those days scarcely a house was to be < seen. Now the plain was retting dotted 1 over with farms, houses, and aettlcmems ; 1 and in plaots where formerly there was not 1 a house, there were now houses and schools and congregations. The subject on which be intended to say a word or two this even- t ing was temperance work. He rejoiced ' at the progress temperence was making, for t there w -a scarcely anything that wasted onr 1 res mrces and energi a in this age so much ( as intemperance, and he illustrated his re- I marks with several incidents and anecdotes < bearing upon the evils of intemperance, and called upon all moderate men and total abstainers to help the cause. Mr Smith con- I clu led by wishing ill success and prosperity 1 to the people here, and to the church during < the. current year. The next item was the rendering of the sacred piece “ Ton t-ate,” which was really ( done in a most exqni ite manner by Miss j Haig, who aoo imp mied hers-lf on the piano, , and at the special request of the audience 1 kindly repeated the last two verses | The choir then gave “Lightly tread” in i excellent concert, af er which, The Rev Mr Telford rose to make a few l very brief ’•eraarka He desired to ad I bis congratulations to those already given to the congregation. List year ho remembered , they were somewh it behind, but they hj id really acted nobly and liberally in paying off i their debt, and addin? to the Susteatatian i Fnnd. Miss Thomson then sung veiy sweetly and effectively the beautiful piece, “ He wipes tbe tear from every eye,” which was listened to with deserved admiration, , i “ Breathe soft ye winds ” was the next piece, and was well sung amongst the many so well given by the choir. Several hearty and ringing votes of thanks were then given. Mr Robert Finlay proposed that they should give a hear'y vbie of thanks to the members of the Dunstan Presbytery for their presence here, and for their addresses, as also to other gentlemen who had spoken. To the choir, the vocalists, and organist, on the motion of Mr George M‘Neill, a very hearty vote was accorded. The Mayor of Alexandra (Mr G. N. I M’Donald) rose to propose a hearty vote of thanks to the visitors, of whom he was glad to see a number present. On the motion of the Rev. Mr Blackie, a special vote of thanks was given to the ladies for their kind assistance, which had made the meeting so successful. Mr Thomas Sims had much pleasure in proposing that the hearty thanks of all be given to those who had si> liberally provided such a bounteous spread ; and to all ■ who had given donations helped in any way to mat e the meeting what it really was matt enjoyable evening, “a feast of

reason and a flow of soul.” The Mayor of Roxburgh said there was one other vote which be thought should be given,’and he bad great pleasure iu proposing a most hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman, The choir then sung as a concluding piece, the hymn, “ Praise ye, Jehovah.” After which the Benediction was pronounced by the Rev, Mr Smith, and the meeting dispersed. The total proceeds received amounted to aoout £2O. The Committee desire to record their thanks to all th' 8< who so liberal.y and abundantly gave .offerings of the beautiful fruits of the district, as well as all other gifts, and who thus largely contributed to the success of the meeting. For fruits and flowers they are especially indebted to the following donors: Mrs Davidson, Conroys ; Wong Gye, Conroy’s; Mrs Weaver, Conroys ; M. Nobel, Mrs Fisher; Mr Holden, Monte Christo; Mrs Gunion, Galloway Station; Mrs Vliller, Clyde; Mrs Mackay, Moutere ; and they hope that this sincere expression of their thanks will be accepted by all. •