ST. PAUL’S, THORNDON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5586, 22 February 1879, Page 3

ST. PAUL’S, THORNDON.

Last evening a social gathering of the parishioners of St. Paul’s was held for the purpose of celebrating the opening of the new church building, Tinakori-road a building capable of accommodating about three hundred persons, which has been erected by the church property trustees, and which is under rental to the vestry of St. Paul’s. There was a large attendance, and the programme consisted of music and singing and addresses. A number of pieces, including such gems, “ True Love's Voice,” “ Waiting,” a pianoforte duet “Italiana,” the glee, “Hark, the merry drum,” &c., were given with great effect under the directorship of iur 11. J. Parker. After an interval for conversation, The Ven. R. J. Thorpe, acting-incumbent, then delivered a short address, explanatory of the purposes for which the building had been built and leased. Ho prefaced his remarks by a graceful expression of regret at the absence of the incumbent, Mr. Harvey, who he said had looked forward with anticipations of pleasure to the opening of this room. However, he had been compelled to leave, and his parishioners could only sympathise with him in his absence. Mr. Thorpe then went on to explain that the building was intended to be used as a place of worship on Sunday evenings, but that intention could not be carried into effect until the return of Mr. Harvey; then it was intended to be used as a Sunday school; but the principal object they had in view was to promote what might be called the higher education of their people,' particularly young men, in religious matters. There was a great deal of improvement necessary in Sunday-school teaching; but beyond all that there was a further kind of instruction necessary, it the difficulties sought to be thrown in the way of religion nowadays were to be overcome. He wished to see classes brought into operation iu order to provide such instruction, and he hoped within the next twelve months to get men whose education and observation would enable them to do so, to give not merely religious teaching, but instruction in natural science and other matters from a religious point of view, teaching men to look from nature to nature’s God. He might almost go further, and say he desired to see young men aud women educated in practical modes of assisting their fellowmen and women, so that it occasion required them to give sensible help to Christian friends, they would be able to doit. For instance, he in his daily visits saw how lamentably deficient people were in the art of nursing the sick, and he would ask if a doctor could be found willing to instruct a class of young women in the art, would it not be a duty for the young women of the parish to come forward and form a

class so as to enable them to do good practical work. However, he should endeavor to get classes of some sort formed, aud he would like to see the building used for the purpose of holding discussions on religious and Church matters therein. Further, be might add it was proposed to institute a senes 'of lecture--, and he had several promises of support, including one from the Ven. Archdeacon Stock. In short, he wanted plenty of work from all sorts and conditions of men in the p.riah, and he was sure the financial obligations entered into on account of the building would not be found burdensome. Hon. Randall Johnson followed in the same strain, urging the parishioners to use the building freely as a place wherein they might fully discuss religious and congregational matters, so as to intelligently take their part in building up a system of Church polity i i the colony. Mr. W. R. E. Brown, after a few remarks, moved, —That the meeting desires to express for the Rev. B. W. Harvey their hearty sympathy in Ids .enforced separation from his family aud parish, and their hopes for his speedy return to carry on the work to which he is so earnestly devoted. The motion was carried by acclamation, and the Veil. Mr. Thorpe said he would take the opportunity of forwarding the resolution to Mr. Harvev.

PRESENTATION TO MR. H. T. CLARKE. The Hon. 0. J, Pharazyn then stepped forward and said he had been deputed by tho vestry and parishioners to present an address to Mr. H. T. Clarke, in view of his approaching depavtuie from Wellington. After referring at some length to the value of Mr. Clarke’s services, lie read the following address ; —“ To Henry Tacy Clarke, Esq , late churchwarden St. Paul’s, Wellington, New Zealand. Dear Sir,—On behalf of the vestry and parishioners of St. Paul’s Church we desire to express our unfeigned regret at your departure from Wellington. Forthe last live years you have been foremost in every Church work, and your judgment and energy have proved a valuable supjto your co-workers in the pariah, while your uniform courtesy and kindness have have secured you the attachment of all with whom you have come in contact. We congratulate you on leaving the parish in its present state of efficiency, and trust you will have the satisfaction of hearing that the good work you have done so much to advance continues to go on. Accept our warmest thanks, and rest assured that we shall ever cherish you in our remembrance, &c.

“ R. J. Thorpe, curate, locum tenens, St. Paul’s. Chas. P. Powles, ) Churchwardens F. W. Reimenschne/deb, ) of St. Paul’s.” Mr. Pharazyn added that the address would be illuminated, and forwarded to Mr. Clarke at an early date. The Ven. R. J. Thorpe, at the request of the choir, then presented Mr.,Clarke, with a Book tf Common Prayer, and a copy of “ Hymns, Ancient aud Modern,” its a token of regard. Mr. Clarke returned thanks f®r tho address and the presents from the choir, and in a few remarks urged upon ail present to take up heartily what had fallen from Mr. Thorpe and Mr. Johnson with regard to Church matters. Church management was in this colony in tho hands of the laity, and on them the whole responsibility lay of building up a good form of Church government. Proceedings terminated with the doxology and prayer.