ST. JOHN’S CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4912, 19 December 1876, Page 2

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

A congregational tea meeting in connection with St. John’s Presbyterian Church, WilHsstreet, was held last night in the - church schoolroom. There was a large attendance, and all passed off very pleasantly. After tea* a meeting was held in the church, the Rev. Mr. Paterson presiding. The proceedings commenced with thealngingof the “Old Hundredth," in which choir and congregation joined. The Rev. Mr. M oir then offered prayer. The Rev. Mr. Paterson said that he would relieve the minds of many by stating that there Was no collection to be made or statistical report to be read. It was the anniversary of their new church. They had had many encouragements; and he would mention a matter that had occurred during the afternoon. Mr. Hunter had some time ago given them; a free grant of laud, as they all knew, and they had consequently not appealed to him again. During the afternoon he had sent them'a cheque for .£25, quite unasked. (Applause.) The collection on the previous day was most satisfactory, and as the ladies had borne the expense of the tea that evening, they would have in addition the proceeds arising from the sale of tickets. He would next allude to his'visit North. The Assembly met this year in Auckland, and it was a very pleasant thing for ministers and office-bearers to meet thus in friendly intercourse. Although he always stuck up for "Wellington, he must say that Auckland was a beautiful place—one of the finest cities he had ever seen. Wellington must have been much more beautiful when the forests were growing on the now bare hillsides. Ho trusted the efforts of his friend the Mayor would result in the planting of trees which would improve the appearance of the city. One of the subjects before the Assembly was the training of young men for the ministry. Their Church was making great progress, having almost doubled during his stay in the colony. They must turn their attention to providing a ministry for themselves, for they could not be spared from Home. Although they had no theological college, they would mo doubt be able to provide sufficient means ©f, education. Another matter was providing a sustentation fund, that the strong might help the weak. The appointment of an agent, a clergyman of experience, to look after Church matters throughout the colony, also occupied the attention of the Assembly. .The Rev. Mr. Bruce, of St. Andrew’s, Auckland, had been appointed to this office, which he had accepted at great personal inconvenience. The Foreign Mission Fund was in a flourishing condition, showing a balance of £SOO, and they thought they would be able topay for another missionary. The mission ship Dayspring was expected next month, when he hoped they would meet some old friends, who would visit the various churches, which would tend to rouse a missionary spirit amongst them. v ■■■■■: __ The choir then sang the anthem, * r Hear my prayer, OGod,‘’ . ■ ■ ■ • ■ ■ . _ * The Rev. Mr. Du scan expressed his pleasure at seeing so much interest taken in celebrating the opening anniversary of their Church. Thirty-four years ago when he arrived in Wellington there was no Presbyterian church, and they used to meet at Messrs. Hetbune and Hunter’s business premises worship. The only Protestants who ministered at that time tothe spiritual wants of the people, and were now living, were Me. Woodward and himself. He must congratulate them on the progress they had made, and that they had shown honor to God in erecting such a handsome church. There had been earnest and faithful preachers and hearers of the Gospel under most trying circumstances, but it was now necessary to fit up their, places of worship so as to assist a devotional spirit. Their present building was admirably adapted for its intended purposes, and those who worked and gave up their substance for such ends would be amply recompensed. Their building was, however, but a means to an end. and they should not forget that there was a spiritual communion with the Church of God. They should be regular in their attendance, and above all in prayer. The injunctions of St. Paul should instruct them to give their ministers a place in their intercessions at the Mercy Seat. If they were fully alive to the benefits of prayer, they would devote a special time to remember their minister and his work. Not only was it a way of expressing affection and gratitude, but it would strengthen his hands, and result in a blessing to themselves. They should try by their Uvea to exemplify the Christian religion, and by their conversation and example to lead others to the haven of rest.

The Choir then sang the hymn “Jerusalem the Golden.”

The Rev. Mr. Paterson then said that it should be a matter of thankfulness to a Christian community that their chief magistrate should come amongst them and advocate a Christian cause. Ho had great pleasure in calling upon the Mayor, who was a terror to all evildoers, and a praise to all who did well. (Laughter and applause.) His Worship the Matos. expressed his gratification at having taken the opportunity of being present at their meeting, which, despite the weather, was an entire success. It was often said that these meetings were dull; but the very dullest of them would compare favorably with dinners and entertainments, which people thought so much of. He had an idea that there was no reasonable cause for alarm at a good sound debt. This was very heterodox in the presence of so many “ grave and reverend seigneurs. tie thought Mr. Hunter’s was a very liberal donation .

indeed. There was giving and giving, and be had not a bit more respect for the rich man who gave £lw) than for the poor man who gave his £l. There was a great likeness between’ modern giving and modern sweethearting* Once upon a time a young gentleman was making love to a young lady, and protested that he would do anything for h?r. and was even prepared to die for her. This was rather too much for the young lady, and she suggested that if ho would give oversmoking she would like that immensely. This was too much for tho young man who would die for her, and ha would not do it. In his opinion a good deal of the pretentious giving of nowadays was like this sort of aweethearting. He would mention that on one occasion, as was the custom in Scotland, the two elders were standing at the church doer on each side of the plate. A gentleman on coming into church, by mistake put in 2s. Cd. instead of Id. He came back to the door, but tho stern ciders gave him to " nde ”f a 0 n ? nothing could be got out of tho plate. The gentleman remarked, “Well. weU, itwillbehalf-a-crown in Heaven.”. But the older replied, Na na, man, it ’ll only bo a penny there.” He believed that a lot of modern giving was very much like sounding brass. There was a bright side to the picture, however, and nothing proved more that tho right feeling existed * n Great Britain than the wave of ?®Ps?VndtoJohn which had recently paaaed froia Land 3 End to John O’ Groat’s at the Turkish atrocities in Hiugaria. There were lots of men rough and rude outside, but sweet at the cora - and he found that the poor were the most liberal to the poor. The liberality of the navvies working on the railway works to fellow workmen in distress, was truly astonishing. He would* also mention the liberality of the humbler Custom House officials to a follow employe a widow, they having redeemed a mortgage on a small property, and sot her up with a mangle. He_ mentioned these matters to show that there was a great deal for all of them to do if they would only look about them. _ They were ready enough to do some great thing, and it was comparatively easy, with the applause of the multitude, to do great things: but to plod on day by day doing little things with a cheerful face and stillunspotted from the world, was harder by far. With a kind word and a kind action for all, but still walking in the path of duty, was true heroism. There was romance and heroism and poetry in the world yet, and he would quote the words of the poet—- “ However it be, it seems to me, "pis only noble to be good: Kind hearts are more than coronets. And simple faith than Norman blood. The Choir then sang the anthem, 4 I was glad when they said unto me.” .... ~ ~ The Kev. Mr. 000 said that he felt considerable diffidence in following the chief magistrate. As to the appointment of the Kev. Mr. Bruce as church agent, he had no doubt that the Presbyterian Church would be strengthened throughout the colony. He had just a little doubt as to the final determination on the subject of the Sustentatlo Fund. Often a church stood or fell according to the abilities or energies of its minister. It was not proper for him to criticise the Mayor’s speech, but he would Uke to make a suggestion. Their church had been built by public subscription, and he thought that the great works proposed by the City Council should also be erected by voluntary subscription. A town hall would be far sooner built, assisted by the eloquence of the Mayor, than by the calls of the tax-collector. This was a species of heterodoxy, and although only a parson he would seriously recommend it to the City Council. The great obstacle to Christian union was quarrelling about small matters. He did not think everybody could be brought to think in precisely the same way as to Christianity and the Christian life. It was a curious thing that a miserable want of union between the Eastern and Western Churches should have resulted in the Mahommedan obtaining a footing in Europe. The rev. gentleman then dealt with the doctrinal cl fferoncesi of the Homan and Greek Churches. Had it not been for their miserable quarrels, the Bulgarian horrors would never have been heard of. Many of their modern differences in doctrine were very foolish, and unworthy of being disputed about. There should be greater liberty of opinion allowed by one to another. People might differ about religious theories, and should be allowed to differ; but it was a matter of, great importance that a man should take up his cross and abandon the world and its lusts. Their pastor had occupied the highest position in the Church as Moderator, and during the year he should be termed the “Very Reverend.” (Langhter.) He hoped that they would profit by his teachings in the future, as they had done in the past. _ _ _ The Kev. Mr. West congratulated the Rev. Mr. Paterson on the position he had taken as Moderator. He had read his instructive address in the New Zealand Times with great benefit to himself, and certain parts of his statements that evening had considerably interested him. One of the first evidences of the life in the Presbyterian Church inNew Zealand was their anxiety to educate a native ministry. The anxiety farther progress and the missionary spirit also showed a vigorous life. Christian union was a very desirable thing, and if it could be effected they would be far better able to wage war against sin and the world th«*n at present. Differences arose out of the very constitution of man; but there were things which Christian Churches might unite about. One was the supplying Christian ordinances to outlying districts. This matter had engaged the attention of the Church in Victoria, and there was some probability of union. Instead of a wasteful expenditure of Christian labor in one place, and a woeful dearth in another, they would have an equalised system, and reach all classes in all places. They might also co-operate in establishing a Christian Press throughout the colony. The great success of the Church in America was due to this matter being attended to. He thought that Wesleyans, Corgregationalists, Presbyterians, and even the Church of England, although it did bear the apostolical watermark, might:unite on this subject. Though, as tho Mayor said, giving might be insincere, yet they should all remember that the insincere giver could not affect the good work which hia gift would do. He trusted that .they would be successful financially and spiritually during the ensuing year. • The choir then sang the anthem, “In Judah s land is God known/' ... The Kev. Mr. Redstone expressed his delight with the meeting. He 1-ked to hear all he could at these meetings, and to say as little as possible. He would not make a speech, but simply wish them success. The Kev. Mr. Paterson expressed the thanks of the meeting to the choir. He might be partial, but he did not hear better music than from their own choir. He would also thank the ladles for their kindness and generosity. The evening hymn was then sung, and the meeting war brought to a close by the benediction. The performances of the choir were most creditable, and all went away, having spent a most pleasant and enjoyable evening.