PRESENTATIONS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1019, 1 October 1877, Page 3

PRESENTATIONS.

TO THE REV. JOHR ELMSLIE. Tlie congregation of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Lyttelton, presented the Rev. John Elmslie with a token of their appreciation of his services as moderator during the late vacancy at the church, after service on Friday evening. There was a large attendance, and the Rev. J. D. Fergusson, in the absence of Mr P. Cunningham, made the presentation. In doing so he made reference to the debt of gratitude that they all owed to Mr Elmslie for his wise counsels at the various meetings held before the settlement. He regretted the absence through illness of Mr Elmslie on the occasions of Mr Hill’s induction and the congregational soiree. After further reference to the present satisfactory state of the congregation, both numerically and financially, thanks to the Rev. Mr Hill’s ministry, Mr Fergusson, addressing Mr Elmslie part icularly, said —“It gives me great pleasure on behalf of this congregation to request your acceptance of this timepiece, in recognition of the valuable services you rendered to us as mode rator during the late vacancy. We are glad to find you so far recovered in health as to be able to resume your important duties, and trust your health may be yet more established, and that you may bo long spared and made a blessing not only to your own people, but to our church and the cause of Christ generally in this land.”

The gift, which was a handsome marble clock, purchased from Messrs Petersen and Co., bore the following inscription—“ Presented to the Rev John Elmslie, M.A., by the congregation of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Lyttelton, for valuable services rendered as Moderator during the late vacancy. September, 1877.”

Mr Elmslie replied at length. He stated their kind gift had been quite unexpected, and he thanked them for it most heartily. He referred to the late vacancy, andfsaid any trouble he might have taken in the matter had been amply compensated for by the harmonious settlement which had led to the present prosperous state of the congregation. He trusted Mr Hill might long be spared to minister to them, but if from any cause his services should bo again required (which he sincerely hoped might, not be the case), they would find him anxious and willing to assist them. Their gift should occupy a permanent place in his house, and would be long retained as a memento of the kindness of his Lyttelton friends. TO MR F. R. PARSONS, On Saturday evening a presentation was made, at the Cavorsham Hotel, to Mr Fred. R. Parsons, chief clerk at the outside Railway Goods Department. Mr Parsons has been connected with the Railway in Christchurch for nearly eleven years, and during that time has gained the respect of those with whom he has been associated, both in his official and private capacity. He is now about to be removed to Oamaru, and his friends availed themselves of this opportunity of presenting him with a slight token of their respect. The presentation having been made, and the toast of “The guest of the evening, Mr Parsons,” to which was coupled the name of Mrs Parsons, having been duly honored, Mr Parsons replied in suitable terms. The remainder of the evening was spent very pleasantly, the proceedings being enlivened with some capital songs. The presentation was in the form of a handsome marble clock, with an appropriate inscription.