PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOIREE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 315, 27 April 1877, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOIREE.

The anirtal soiree in connection with St. Paul's Chnivli took place last evening, in the Volunteer Hall, ami proved a very great success. The tables, which were arranged across the building, were mo=t liboally furnished by the ladies of the congregation with good thing*, and tastefully decorated. Two tables were also provided by the bachelors of the congregation. Jsy six o'clock the Hall was filled with people, when the Rev. Mr'l odd gave otit two verses of the 23rd Psalm, whi'h were sung by the assembly. Thereafter, the Rev. Mr. Lindsay, of Waimate, ottered up prayer. The old and young then engaged in the cup which cheers, but not inebriates, to their hearts content, and gradually the piles of sandwiches, cakes, and lmns, with fruit, disappeared. After the first .sen-ire of tea, the Hall had to be cleared, and a second service provided, for which there was a superabundance. As the people dispersed they wended their way to the Church, the lower part being filled be-half-past seven, which adjournment proved a great advantage in many respects. On the platform, in front of the pulpit, the speakers sat, and the choir, in full force, occupied the seat in front, the Rev. A. B. Todd presiding. The congregation having snug two verses of the 100 th psalm, the chairinau, in his opening address, expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present, and hoped the\- would enjoy themselves in the church as they had done in the Volunteer Hall. He brilly referred to the peace and prosperity which the congregation had enjoyed during the past yea", and trusted that the future, in like manner, would be marked by steady progress in works of faith and labours of love. Some interesting addresses were then delivered by the Rev. Mr. Cowie, Chinese Missionary, on the characteristics of the Chinese; by the Rev. G. Armitage, Wesley Church, Oamaru, on the duty of individual members of the church ; by the Rev. J. .Stevens, Waitaki, on Mahomed and his religion ; by the Rev. W. Gillies, on several points worthy the attention of the young. A number of hymns and anthems were sung by the choir, which were very effectively rendered. Votes of thanks at the close were passed, on the motion of Mr. Liddrll, to the ladies and bachelors for the handsome manner in which they had ministered to their physical wants ; to the choir and the leader (Mr. Booth) on the motion of Mr. Lindsay, who paid to them a welldeserved meed of praise for the excellent manner in which they had sung the pieces of music ; to the speakers, on the motion of

Mr. Flett; to the Chair, on the motion of Mr. Cowie. A Dismission Hymn was then sung, and the meeting was closed by the Benediction.