PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BANK'S PENINSULA.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 157, 5 December 1874, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BANK'S PENINSULA.

[Communicated to the Prezs.]

The pretty little town of Akaroa was, on Wednesday last the scene of an interesting and unusual event, for on this day the Presbytery of Christchurch had determined to ordain and induct as the clergyman of the Presbyterians, the Rev W, Douglas, M.A. There has been no Presbyterian minister here since the late Rev Mr Grant, who was lost with the Matoaka, left the district for Christchurch, now a good many years ago. The Presbyterian Church Extension Association, however, has for the last year or two sent occasional labourers to hold services, but in the beginning of this year they were able to spare a man for this field, and the Rev W. Douglas was sent to perform the work of missionary to the scattered Presbyterians. So successfully has this gentleman laboured amongst them that they found themselves strong enough to offer him a salary, and to undertake to build a residence for him if he would consent permanently to labor amongst them. The formal “ call” being presented to him through the Presbytery, and by him accepted, the usual services according to the forms of the Presbyterian Church ou occasions of ordination, took place on Wednesday last. The day being fine, there was a great gathering from all the Bays. The little church was full. At twelve o’clock the service began by the Rev Mr Horner, of Sefton, acting for the clerk, calling for objections to the settlement. No objections being offered, he then preached a most eloquent sermon from II Cor, v 19. Then the Rev C; Fraser, Christchurch, expounded in a clear and interesting manner the principles of the Presbvteiian Chinch. The Rev Mv McGowan, io the absence of ?hc moderator, usksd 'he usual questions of the minister elect, and gave the ordination prayer, during which the ministers and elders present laid their hands on his head and solemnly set him apart for the work of the ministry. The Rev Mr McGowan then ascended the pulpit and delivered a most impressive charge

to the newly ordained minister. The Rev A. P. Douglas, Christchurch, next addressed the people on their duties as members of-the Church. At the close the Rev Win. Douglas received the usual 'welcome at the door. The whole service lasted three hours, and was so interesting throughout that the congregation did not seem in the least weary when it was over. In connection with the same event a soiree was held in the evening, in the Town Hall. The tables, under the superintendence of Mrs Brown, presented a splendid appearance, and were presided over by Mrs Buchanan, Little River; Miss Rowe, Mrs Armstrong, Mrs Dalgleish. Leßon’s Hill ; Mrs Smith, Leßon’s Bay ; Mrs Piper,Duvauchclle’s Bay ; Mrs Ross, Head of the Bay, Mrs Bruce, Misses Bruce, Duncan, and others. The large company, it need not be said, did ample justice to the good things with which the tables were loaded. The after-meeting was presided over by Mr John Anderson, Christchurch, who, in a few well-chosen words, congratulated the Presbyterians on the happy settlement of a minister among them, and expressed his good hopes of the future. Pie then called on the newly-ordained minister, who briefly gave utterance to the feelings with which he had passed through the experiences of the day, referring to the assistance he had received from various parties during his past labours. He staled his confidence in the successful future of the Presbyterian Church in the colony, basing as it does its doctrine and discipline neither on the Church, so called, nor on the Fathers, nor yet on the first four Councils, but solely on the word of God. He meant to hold fast by these reformation truths and principles so dear to their fathers. The Rev W. S. McGowan then addressed the audience on the meanness and extravagance of the present day; The Rev 0, Fraser followed with some interesting reminiscences of former times and labors in Akaroa. The Rev W. Horner spoke of the duty of cheering on the minister in his labours. The Rev A F. Douglas concluded by impressing upon them the duty of not only supporting their own church, but of taking an interest in the general work of Church extension in the province in connection with the association. The piano was presided over by Mr Wiggins, and the hymns which were interspersed between the speeches were exceedingly well sung. Votes of thanks to the ladies’by Mr Dunuct, to Mr Wiggins by Mr Bishop, Chain’s bay ; and to the speakers by Mr Wm. Barnett, Leßon’s Bay, were proposed and carried by acclamation. The Rev Wm Douglas finished by acknowledging the services rendered to the Presbyterian Church generally by the chairman, and thanking him for his presence. The meeting terminated shortly after ten o’clock, A tea meeting in connection with the ordination of the Rev W. Douglas, M.A., to be the minister for the Presbyterians of the Peninsula, was held on December 3rd, in the schoolroom, Pigeon Bay. There was a very large attendance. The tables were provided by Mesd.imes Gillespie, luness, and Misses Pitcathly, White, Marshall, and others. After the company had partaken of the bountiful tea, the Rev S. McGowan, of Lyttelton, was called to the chair. He narrated the circumstances of Mr Douglas’ call and settlement, and described the previous day’s proceedings at Akaroa. He then called up the newly ordained minister, who, in an interesting speech spoke of the reasons which led him to accept the call, and asked the people’s assistance in the prosecution of his labors. The Rev A, F. Douglas, of Christchurch, congratulated them on having procured the services of so able and pious a minister, and indicated the way in which they might keep him, and urged them to share in the work of church extension. Votes of thanks to i.hc ladies by Mr Gillespie, to the choir, and to the chairman, were duly moved at the close. The Misses Hay presided at the piano, and assisted by a choir sang some beautiful hymns. An Italian also pleased the audience much by playing on the concertina. It was 10.30 before the meeting, which seemed to give lively satisfaction, was brought to a close.