Feilding Presbyterian Church.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 225, 26 March 1896, Page 2

Feilding Presbyterian Church.

ANNUAL TEA AND PUBLIC MEETING. The annual tea, ■which was held last evening ia the Volunteer Hall, was, taking the threatening weather into consideration, a decided success. The walls of the hall were nicely decorated with evergreens, and, with the six tables laid out on the floor, formed a grand picture. The tables.— which were presided over by Mrs Higgin and Mrs Watson, Mrs Spence and Miss Coombe, Mrs Lethbridge and Miss Giesen, Mrs Colby and Miss Campbell, Mrs Stevens and Mrs Hamilton, and Miss Manson and Miss Whisker, assisted by Misses Woolven, Higgen, Thompson, Campbell, Cameron, Hamilton, Mrs Reader, and others — were splendidly laid out with good and tempting edibles. Mr Murray opened the tea in the usual manner, and, the tables being full, the good things were handed round and an enjoyable tea dispensed. After the tables had been cleared away and the seats readjusted the public meeting was commenced by singing " Praise God, from whom all Blessings flow," followed by the anthem " Arise ! Shine for the Light has come," by the choir. The Rev. Mr Murray, chairman of the meeting, in a short speech, introduced the different ministers from other churches who were present, amongst whom was the Rev. Mr Paterson, who had come up from Wellington on purpose to be present at this meeting, it being his first visit to Feilding on an occasion of this kind. Mr Murray also stated that this wo aid be the last time that he would hold the position he now held, and he wished to thank the brethren of the Presbytery and the congregation for their past frienhship and hoped that it would go on the same in the future, The Rev Mr Doull gave a short address, in which he spoke in very hieh terms of Mr Murray, and was sorry that he had through ill health to tender his resignation, and was pleased to see that the congregation had come forward and offered to assist Mr Mnrray. The Rev Mr Thompson would temporarily fill the vacancy, and in the meanwhile he would advise every one to use their best judgment in choosing a successor to Mr Murray. Mr Cocker, Primitive Methodist Minister, who spoke for some time, said that it was somewhere about a year ago since he came to Feilding and he bad always been on good terms with Mr Murray. He would not make a long speech as other big guns had to come after him and after a few anecdotes be concluded by stating that a great Temperance Demonstration would be held on Easter Monday and every one had a hearty invitation to join with them in the procession, which would leave the Foresters' Hall about 11 o'clock on that day and march to the Oval. The Rev Mr Paterson said that he was sorry that Mr Murray had to give in bis resignation owing to ill health as be bad great respect for that gentleman. He was pleased to state that since he bad been in Feilding be had been treated very hospitably indeed and looked for* ward to his next visit with pleasure. Mr Williams, Wesleyan Minister, also spoke in terms of praise of Mr Murray, saying although he had only been in Feilding for three months he had made a valued friend in him and was sorry he had to resign owing to ill health. Mr Martin, Presbyterian Minister, also spoke, taking for his subject " Friendship of the People," and in a short and interesting address, corroborated what the other Ministers had said with reference to Mr Murray leaving the Ministry. Mr Murray in a few words thanked the Ministers for their kind remarks. Mr T. Watson, of Feilding, then asked, the congregation to accord a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers for their addresses, and also to, the ladies who. supi plied the eatables. This was carried by acclamation, Mr Watson also called for a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, stating that it would probably be the last time he would be in that position, and he deserved their heartiest thanks. The Rev Mr Paterson seconded the motion. During the evening the following musical items were given : — Mrs Reader and^ Mr Bartholomew gave a duet " Slave, song at Midnight,", which was well ret ceiyed. A quartette was also very nicely rendered bj Mrs Reader, Mrs Colby and Messrs G. and J. Bartholomew. The choir rendered the following anthem?, "Bring in the sheafs," "I will lift up mine eyes," and " A prayer for sue« cess," bring a pleasant evening to a close with the hymn 499, followed by the benediction.