SOCIAL MEETING.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1202, 13 March 1885, Page 3

SOCIAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Alexandra and Clyde Presbyterian Chnch was held ‘.n the Town H ill. Alexandra, on the evening of Friday last, and parsed of with great success, there being a large number present, amongst whom were representatives from alt parts of tbe parish, and a few visitors from by.md. The hall presented a very pleasing appearance, decorated with evergreens, feathery asparagus, flowers, and bunches , f fruit, kindly sent for the occasion by friendly donors. There was al«o an excel lent and abundant supply of the fruits of the season, including peaches, plums, apricots, and apples, a» well as a cho’ce eelec tion of fl >wers, nil kindly provided by good neighbours, and which graced and adorned the tables, laden with many other good things liberally supplied by the ladies and friends of tbe congregation. The Kev. J. Lothian, the pastor, presided, and opened the proceedings by asking a blessing on the good things provided ; and then fora couple of hours or so, tbe ladies, presiding at the table-! had a busy time of it, ministering to the wants of the large number who sat down to tea and who all seemed heartily to enjoy the entertainment, and in neal scarcely i»e mentioned that the juveniles of the company, who hid a table a lotted to themselves, thnonghly enjoyed themselves. A g -odly number of frienoly visitors also’from other denominations were present and took part in the meeting, a very pleaaingf-atnre indeed, showing that though members of churches may differ in creeds they can yet be neighbours and brethren, an 1 pi actio illy exemplify the beauty and truth of the sentiment of the sacred poet when be said

Behold, how good a thing it is And how becomim* well, Together such as bretheru are In unity to dwell. •/: After tea was over the Chairman gave s short address upon the duty and privilege of attending to religion, urging upon all <o remember and value the Babb.ttn day, to attend the house of O >d, an I that parents should see to it that the young are sent regularly to the Sabbath echo d. He th n intro luced the various singers and musicians who had kindly and willingly given their services for the ev-uings enter aiument, and of whom their was a large number. Notwithstmding the somewhat untoward fact that rainy of the vocalists were suff from colds or illness, yet, the concert gave great satisfaction, and the per f ormers received a hearty reception. This being the case, it will therefore be as well not to dis cant upon the merits of the various performers critically or to particularize ; further than to say that the concert added very much to the evenings enjoyment. At the close ot the mu deal part of the en terra'n. raent, Mr Robert Finlay rose, and in a f w appropriate words proposed the following motion which was nnanim rasly r -spoide I to:—That the cordial thanks of the < ffice bearers and members of tie congregation be given to those ladies and gentlemen who had kindly acted as collectors for the Sustenta tion Fund thionghout the parish for the east year ; and also to all who had interes ed themselves in the progress and prosperity of the Church, During the past year he sai 1 they had here, as everywhere, passed through a period of financial depression, yet the congre ration was not so far behind, but that they hoped that with a measure of prosperity during the year now entered upom they would be in a giod po-i tion by next annual meeting. This district hail long been favourably known as being always ready and liberal in supporting every good purpose, and they therefore hoped that the Church would receive a fair share of that liberality and support. Mr George McNeill proposed that the best thanks of the congregation and of this meeting he given to all who had s > liberally provided the adnndant supply of tine fruits, flowe'S, and other good things which had contributed so much to the evening’s pleasure and enjoyment, which was heartily agreed to. On the motion of Mr J .hn McKenzie the hearty thanks of all was given to the ladies who presided at the tables and superintended the arrangements an I thus made the meeting so successful. On the motion of Mr W. Theyers a similar compliment was heartily accorded to the ladies and gentleman who bad contributed so much to the evening’s enjoyment by their songs, duets, glees, and pianoforte music. Mr Finlay moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, who thereafter pronounced the benediction, and the andienco separated after an enjoyable and pleasant social meeting.

We may add that the gross financial result of the meeting reached very dose upon L2O. ■'