ST. JOHN’S CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4931, 11 January 1877, Page 6

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

A congregational tea meeting in connection with St “John’s P resby terian Church, Wilhsstreet. was held on December 18th m 10 o }‘ l ‘ schoolroom. There was a largo tendance and all passed off very pleasantly. After tea a meeting was held in the church the Rev. Mr. Paterson presiding. 1 1 lie , P r ,° I c^dl^ S p r 5 t . h .. menoedwith thesingingof the Old Hundredth, in which choir and congregation pined, ihe Eev. Mr. A loir then offered prayer. Tho llev Mr Paterson said that lie would relieve The Rev. stating that there was no I?S3=SSSe s: S. B’ohe ton- and as the ladies had borne the expense of the oveninff, they would have In addition the nrocoefls arls“ng frora the sale of rickets. He would S«t allude to his visit North. The Assembly met this year in Auckland, and it was a very pleasant thin/for ministers and office-bearers to meet thus in friemllv intercourse. Although he always stuck up for "Wellington, he must soy that Auckland was a beauHful XlaUno 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. He trusted the efforts of his friend Sfsify » cXny'. mu“s 1°!™" ii rtt _ a_ nmvidlnz a ministry for thomsalves, for they cmdd^otte 1 spared from Home. Although they had no theolo-icai college, they would no doubt be able to provide sufllcient means of 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 tho attention of the Assembly. The Rev. iur. -Bruce, of St Andrew’s, Auckland; had been appointed to this office which ho had accepted at great personal inconveifionco. 0 Tho Foreign Mission Fund was in a flourishing condition, showing a balance of £500 » "“J which would tend to rouse a missionary spirit amon n st “ The choir then sang the anthem, “ Hear my prayer, 0 The Rev Mr. Duncan expressed his pleasure at seeing so much interest taken in celebrating the opening anniversary of their Church. Thirty-four years ago wheiThe arrived in Wellington there was no Presbyterian church, and they used to meet at Messrs. Bethune and Hunter’s business premises for worship. The Offiy Pretestants who ministered at that time to the spiritual wauls of the people, audw ere now Uvm 0 , were Jlr 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 theGospe 1 unde;r morttogug n ,atarir-ns but it was now necessarj to nt up tneir nlaces of worship so as to assist a devotional spirit. Thoir present building was admirably adapted fur its intended purposes, and those who worked and gave up their substance for such ends would be ampl> re■omnensed Their building was, however, but a means to kn end. and they should not that, there was a spiritual communion with the L-hurcn of God. They should be regular in their attendance and above all in prayer,;.. The injunctions of bt. Paul should Instruct them'fo give their ministers a place in their intercessions at the Mercy beat. If they were fully alive to the benefits of prayer, they would devote a anecial time to remember their minister and •his work Not only was it a way of expressing affeerion and gratitude, but it would strengthen his hands and result in a blessing to themselves. They should try by their lives 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 G Th| n ßev Mr Paterson then said that it should be a matter of thankfulness to a Christian commun.ty that their chief magistrate should.comei amongst-them and advocate a Christian cause. He had great pleasure in calling upon the Mayor, who was a terror to all evildoers, and a praise to ail who did well. (Laughter and applause.) , , . ~« ■ ' His Worship the Mayor expressed lus 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 liad an idea that there was no reasonable canse for alarm at a good sound debt. This was very heterodox in the presence nf so manv “grave and reverend seigneurs. He thought Mr. Hunter’s was a very liberal donation indeed. There was giving and giving, and he had not a bit more respect for the nch man who gave £IOO 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 it young lady, and protested that he would do anything for her. and was even prepared to die for her. This was rather too much for the young ladv. and she suggested that if he would give over smoking she would like that immenselj. Tins was too much for the young man who would die for her, and he would not do it.- In his opinion a good deal of the pretentious giving of nowadavs was like this sort of sweethearting. He would mention that on one occasion, as was the custom in Scotland, the two elders were standing at the church door on eacii side of the plate. A gentleman on coming into church, by mistake pot in 2s. 6d. instead of Id. He came back to the church door; but tho stern elders gave him to understand that nothing could be got out of the plate. The gentleman remarked, “Well, well, it will be half-a-crown in Heaven.” But the elder replied >a. na man, it 'll only be a penny there.” He believed that a lot of modem giving was very much like sounding byass. There was a bright side to the picture however, and nothing proved more that the right feeling existed in Great Britain than the wave of popular indignation which had recently passed from Land s End to John O’ Groat’s at the Turkish atrocities in Bulgaria. There were lots of men rough and rude outside, but sweet at the core ; 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 pi . the Custom House officials to a fellow employes widow, they having redeemed a mortgage on a small property, and set her np 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 still unspotted 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, ’Tis only noble to be good; - Kind hearts are more than coronets. And simple faith than Norman blood. ’ The Choir then sang the anthem, ‘ I was glad when they said unto me." . , ~ ~ The Eev. Mr. 000 said that lie felt considerable diffidence in following the chief magistrate. As to the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Bruce as church agent. lie 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 ef the Sustentatio ; 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 like 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 bo 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 Chnstian 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 differences of the Roman and Greek Churches. Had it not been for their miserable quarrels, the Bulgarian honors 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-fit was a matter of great importance that a man should take np his cross and abandon the world and its lusts. Their pastor had occupied thehighest position in the Church as Moderator, and during the year he should be termed the Very Reverend." , (Laughter.) Ho hoped that they would profit by his teachings in the future, as they had done ln, I'he Rev.' Mr. "West, congratulated the Rev. Mr. Paterson on tho position he had taken as Moderator, lie had read-his instructive address in the New Zealand Times with great benefit to himself, and certain parts of hia statements that evening ““ considerably interested him. One of the first evidences of the life in tho Presbyterian Church in Now Zealand was their anxiety to educate a native ministry. Ike anxiety for further progress and the missionary spirit also showed a vigorous life. Christian union was a very desirable thing", and if M effected they would be far better able to wage war against sin, and, the world than -at ■ present. Differences arose out of the very constitution of man; but there were tilings which Christian Churches might unite about, - One was-tho supplying Christian ordinances to outlying districts. -Tills matter- had engaged tiie 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. Ho thought that W cslcyans. Corgregi - tlonalists, Presbyterians, and oven the Church of England, althougl. it did bear the apostolical watorfhiriit unite oii this subject- Though, as the Mavor said giving might bo insincere, yet they should aU l remcmber that the Insincere giver could not affect the good work which his gift would do. He trusted that they, would bo successful financially and spiritually during the ensuing year. The choir then sang the anthem, In Jiuialis land is God known.’'

The Rev. Mr. Redstone expressed his delight with the meeting. He i 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 Rev. Mr. Paterson expressed the thanks of the meeting to the choir. He might be partial, but lie did not hear better music than from their own choir. He would also thank the ladies for their kindness and generosity. , ~ Tiie evening hymn was then sung, and the meeting was 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.