RECEPTION SOIREE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1886, 10 March 1880, Page 3

RECEPTION SOIREE.

A social soiree and tea meeting took

place last night in the schoolroom ■ attached to the St. Asaph street United Methodist Free Church. The object of the .gathering was to welcome the Rev. E. 'Ovendeiq Perry to the pastorate of the church in the piece of the Rev. 8. Maofarlane, who has been appointed to minister at Rangiora. The tea meeting was very numerously attended, upwards of 350 sitting down to the tables, which were provided by the ladie* of the congregations of the churches at Bingsland, Colombo road, and St. Asaph street. On the conclusion of the tea an adjournment was made to the church, and a public meeting was held, presided over by the Rev. T. R. Fisher. The proceedings opened with a hymn and prayer, followed by an address by the chairman. Mr J. G. Holdsworth then moved the following resolution—“ That the meeting acknowledges the goodness of Almighty God in the safe arrival or the Rev. E. Ovenden Perry, and hereby accords to him a most cordial welcome ; pled?" »Melf to cordial cooperation with him, PJ.nys that on him may rest a double porh’oß °£ the Holy Spirit’s presence and power.” Th& resolution, which was seconded by the ®£v. A. Peters, and ■supported by the Rev, S. Maofarlane, was carried unanimously. The Rev. E. O. Perry, in returning thanks for the welcome accorded him, referred to the long- cherished desire he had had to come to New Zealand, and spoke in glowing terms of its free institutions, unbounded resources, and religious equality, which he had never seen exceeded. The following resolution was moved by Mr R. H. Turner—-“ That this meeting expresses its deep regret at parting from the Rev. 8. Maofarlane, who for a period of six and a half years has laboured acceptably as the superintendent of this circuit, but who, on account of failing health, has resigned that arduous position, and has accepted a more restricted sphere of labor as the pastor of the church at Rangiora. We pray that on him and Mrs Maofarlane the Divine blessing may rest more abundantly, and that health and long life may be their portion here, and in the world to come life everlasting.” The resolution was seconded by Mr 0. R. Deadly and carried. The Rav. S. Maofarlane responded to the valedictory resolution in feeling terms. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies who had furnished the tea, the chairman, and to the choir, who, under the direction of Mr J. T. M. Smith, sang in the course of the evening several hymns and anthems.