AFTER FIFTY YEARS

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 21

AFTER FIFTY YEARS

MORNINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. (Photographs in This Issue.) The celebrations in connection with the Mornington Presbyterian Church were commenced on Saturday afternoon, May 16, when the church hall, both in the afternoon and evening, was filled by a large attendance of members and friends who had assembled in honour of the jubilee of the church. HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. It is with no small pride that the Presbyterians of Mornington trace their origin to the First Church of Otago, of which they are an offshoot. In 1880 Mornington was still in its infancy. Conditions were primitive; buildings were few, and transport facilities almost non-existent. Yet even thus early, a devoted band, founders of the present church, were wont to gather for the worship of God. Their first services were held in the then Town Hall, later to be known as the Mornington Public Library. Of these early worshippers a few still survived, namely Mr J. A. .Wallace, Mrs Pickard, and Mr Bain. It may be mentioned that about this time, or perhaps earlier, regular and well-attended prayer meetings were conducted by Mr John Loan, an elder of St. Andrew’s Church, and father of the Rev. John Loan, of Petone. A Sunday school under the aegis of St. Andrew’s Church was also held in the Town Hall. This school continued to function under the control of St. Andrew’s Church until the established congregation in Mornington was in a position to take it over. Development in Mornington continued apace, and the need for increased accommodation was soon apparent. On May 26, 1880, it was resolved to take steps to purchase the site recommended by the presbytery. The matter was enthusiastically taken up by such men as Mr W. H. Reynolds, M.L.C., G. and J. A. Matthews, T. Coull, J. Scoular, J. Mitchell, S. Swanson, R. S. Nicholson J. E. (later Judge) Denniston, James Michie, P. Dick, R. S. M'Donald, A. Watson and others. The purchase was completed, and on November 20, 1880, the foundation stone of the present church was laid by Mr W. H. Reynolds. The following members of synod were present: —The Revs. L. Mackie, Waddell and Boyd Sutherland, Dr Copeland and Mr R. Ward. Thus was completed the first great stage in the history of Presbyterianism in Mornington. ' The new church was officially opened on March 27, 1881. The morning service was conducted by the Rev. L. Mackie and that in the afternoon by the late Dr Stuart, while the late Dr Watt preached the evening sermon. On July 6, 1881, was appointed the first Management Committee. Its members were:—Messrs J. Johnstone, Aitchison, Pickard, Nichol, A. Watson (secretary), Smith, James and John Annand, Miller and Faulds. On September 25, 1882, the first session was elected, namely — Messrs W. Nicol, James Scoular, James Pickard, A. Watson, J. A. Matthews and J. Loan. The first scheme that faced the new management was the erection of a suitable manse. The matter was tackled boldly and successfully. By means of a well organised bazaar, held in the Garrison Hall, sufficient funds were raised to warrant going on with the building. The manse was completed in 1884. It now remained to proceed with the most important task in the life of a newly-established church, namely, the call to its first minister. In those days there was no lack of good material, and much of the later success of the churches was largely, due to the splendid pioneering work of their first ministers, grand men all of them. The choice fell upon the Rev. H. E. Michie, who on January 9, 1882. was duly inducted and ordained as Mornington’s first Presbyterian minister. The new minister entered upon his work with enthusiasm, and supported by a loyal and capable band of church workers the success of his ministry was assured. It was during Mr Michie’s ministration that a vote was taken on the introduction of instrumental music into church services. The voting was 98 for and 14 against. Mr Michie was possessed of a pleasing personality and a saintiv character, and he endeared himself to his congregation. Of him those who worshipped under his pulpit have nothing but the most affectionate memories. It was with deepest regret that the congregation learned of his resignation. He was a lovable man. Wisely and well he .aid the foundations of his voting church.

Mr Michie’s successor was the Rev. R. J. Porter, a young minister not Ion" resident in New Zealand. He was im ducted to his charge on September 15, 18S6. Mr Porter was a native of Ireland educated in Belfast and Londonderry. His was a practical ministry. Vigorous and energetic, he infected his congregation with something of his own spirit. Under less able guidance the congregation prospered, and the church activities flourished. Soon it was necessary to increase the sitting accommodation, and to this end transepts were added. At the same time a commodious hall was built for the use of the Sunday School. An event of interest in the life of the church occurred about this time; the well-known evangelist, the late Rev. John M'Niel, 8.A., visited the district and

conducted a series of evangelistic services. His work was highly appreciated, and very definite were its results. The" Christian Endeavour Society was founded in August, 1892. In Mr Porter’s time money was raised by subscription for the purpose of installing a pipe organ, which was installed in 1895 at a cost of some £2OO. On June 20, 1898, Mr Porter accepted a call from St. Paul’s, Oamaru. He had served his church faithfully and efficiently. Deep and sincere was the regret expressed at his departure. He left a deep impression on the life of his church, and there are many who revere his memory. Air Scorgie, his successor, was inducted on February 1, 1899. Mr Scorgie was a product of the Dunedjn Theological Hall and of the University of Otago. An earnest worker, possessed of a logical mind, he made his sermons a very definite feature of his ministry. lie was' a great reader and thinker, and his winter evening lectures were much appreciated. It was during Mr Scorgie’s ministry that the church attained its majority. A noble record of work lay behind.’ It is indicative of the zest and keenness of the church’s activities that for the first time in the history of the church it found itself free of debt. It was a fitting recognition of Mr Scorgie’s services to the church that in 1914 he was elected moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.

Mr Scorgie was succeeded by the Rev. W. Trotter, who was inducted to the charge of the church on March 2, 1916. For 14 years he ministered to the people of Mornington. He brought tcr his pupit ministration a wide reading and broad culture, which gave to his sermons an intellectual and artistic flavour beyond the ordinary. Especially touching were his prayers which, couched in choice diction, breathed the real spirit of invocation. Mr Trotter was widely known throughout the church courts, and he was recognised as an outstanding authority on all church procedure. After 14 years of faithful service failing health brought about his resignation only last year. At a farewell social eloquent testimony was given to the esteem and affection in which Mr Trotter was held by his people and fellow ministers. After a period of eight months it was decided to forward a call to the Rev. A. Watson, of Weston. It was a fortunate hour for Mornington Church when Mr Watson resolved to accept the call. He has entered upon his work with characteristic energy and ability, and already there is ample evidence that his ministry will rank among the most fruitful in the history of the church. Long may he be spared to labour in the service of his Master.

It is worthy of note that no fewer than five sons of the Mornington Church have entered the ranks of the ministry — three of whom—the Revs. J. Loan, W. Howes, 8.A., and W. Hannah —have assisted in the church’s jubilee services which were held yesterday. AFTERNOON GATHERING. The afternoon function was of a more or less informal nature. The minister of the church, Mr A. Watson, in his opening remarks, after briefly welcoming those present, expressed the hope that the meeting would bring back many pleasant memories. They had come along for the sake of “ Auld Lang Syne,” he said, and he trusted that when the gathering came to a close they would feel that it had come to an end all too soon, and that they had enjoyed one of the happiest experiences of their lives.

At the conclusion of Mr Watson’s remarks, the only two surviving foundation members of the church, Mrs J. Pickard, and Mrs D. Bain, were escorted to the front of the stage, and there each was presented with a handsome boquet by two tiny tots —Miss Gwenda M'Callum and Master Billie Thomson. The gathering then adjourned to the church grounds, where the members, grouped according to the ministers under whom they had worshipped, were photographed. When the assemblage returned to the hall Mrs Bain and Mrs Pickard each lit 10 of the candles on the birthday cake, which occupied a place of honour on the platform. Ten more were lit by Mrs J. Wood, the first lady to be married in the church, and 10 each by the session clerk, Mr W. Henderson and Mrs Henderson. Afternoon tea was then served, and a pleasant social hour was spent in renewing old acquaintanceships and exchanging reminiscences.

JUBILEE SOCIAL. The evening function, which took the form of a conversazione, was presided over by the Rev. M. Watson, who congratulated the congregation on the fact that their church had attained its fiftieth birthday, and said he was sure that past and present members would be proud to see how it had progressed since 1881. At that time, the church and the manse were in the centre of the parish, but, with the extension of the suburb, it was no longer in the centre, and this circumstance was going to prove a problem in the future. The members should also be proud of the fact that five men, who as boys had been connected with the congregation of the church, had studied for and entered the ministry. He referred to the Revs. J. C. Loan, W. H. Hannah, George Howes, W. H. Howes, and D. Nichol. It was something for a church to have turned so many eyes towards the ministry, but the members should not think that they had reached high-water mark in this respect, and he hoped that

the congregation would be inspired with the ideal of bringing forward each year at least one man for the ministry of the church.

The Rev. Ferguson Fish, moderator of the Dunedin Presbytery, said he was happy to bring greetings from that body, and to say how pleased it was to be associated with the fiftieth anniversary of the Mornington Church. The church, he noted had not had many ministers since its foundation. It had had the Rev. Mr Scorgie for 17 vears and the Rev. Mr Trotter for 13 years, which was a fine record for any parish. He supposed that the members of the church considered that theirs was one of the most important charges under the Dunedin Presbytery. He recognised that it was,- and lie wanted the congregation to realise the duty that lay on them and on their church. In almost every street of the extensive district of Mornington there were Presbyterian homes, and in these homes he hoped there were those who would keep watch and be, as it were, missionaries for the minister. He would remind them that behind them was the presbytery interested in their experience as a church, in their growing district, and in.the possibilities that lay to their hands as members. He wished the church all success during the coming days. The Rev. J. D. Smith, who was also present as a delegate from the presbytery tendered congratulations to the church on having reached' its fiftieth birthday not only from the presbytery, but also from his own charge (Kaikorai), which, in its way, was an elder brother of the Mornington Church, as it had recently attained its sixty-second anniversary. As a neighbour, Kaikorai joined with Mornington in its celebrations. He hoped that the church would enter into a new era of prosperity and advancement; and that during the next 50 years it would--carry out much good work for the kingdom of God. At the conclusion of Mr Smith’s remarks the gathering resolved itself into a social evening, and the remainder of the time passed all too quickly in the renewal of old friendships and the recalling of notable incidents in the earlier days of the church. During the evening an enjoyable programme of instrumental and vocal items was rendered,

the following contributing.—Messrs R. Clelland and F. Haig, and Mesdames MKay and F. Haig (song), Miss Stokes and Mr N. Gamble (vocal duet), ana Mr H. Stokes (cello solo). SUNDAY SERVICES. The jubilee celebrations were continued on Sunday, May 17. when the services were of a special character suited to the occasion, and were conducted by ministers who are members of families that took a part in the foundation of. the congregation. The reunion brought many pleasant experiences to the old members who were present, but the best of all was reserved for those who were privileged to see three men who had attended The church in their boyhood and who are now ordained ministers. Ihe Rev. W. H. Howes, of Otautau, in the Southland presbytery, conducted the forenoon communion service, and there was a large congregation of both old and young. Mr Howes chose as his text the words: “ I am a debtor,” and he showed how great was our debt to the past, especially to the church, the congregation. and the home, which were powerful factors in the moral and spiritual life of the individual. No service that could be rendered and no heights of character that could be reached could ever repay that debt to the past. The afternoon service was a young people's rally, and the Rev. W. CL Hannah, of Southbridge-Dunsandel, in the presbytery of Christchurch—was the preacher. Mr Fergus M'Laren, representing the Young Men’s Bible classes, read the Scripture lessons. There was a good attendance, and the spirit of the service was inspiring. Among the visitors present were the Bible classes of the Methodist, Baptist, and Church of Christ congregations. Mr Hannah based his address on the friendship of David and Jonathan, and showed that every life needed a strong and helpful friendship that would bring out the best in the human heart.

The evening service was one of thanksgiving, and was conducted by the Rev. J. Loan, of Petone, in the presbytery of Wellington. The congregation filled the church. Solos selected from “ The Messiah ” were sung by members of the choir. Mr Loan’s text was “Ebenezer,”

the stone of help. He referred to the past of the congregation, and to the experience of individuals connected with it. Goodness and mercy had followed them all through these many years. The past was a promise and prophecy for the future, and consequently they could press on to the next milestone in good heart, strong courage, and buoyant hope that the future would crown the past with glory. CHILDREN’S JUBILEE SOCIAL. The concluding function took the form of a children’s social. About 160 boys and girls sat down to tea on Tuesday evening in the Sunday school hall, and partook of the abundant fare provided for the occasion. The most interesting feature of the evening was the lighting of 50 candles on the birthday cake, and the distribution of a piece of cake to each child. After the tea a most enjoyable programme of items was contributed by the children, and at the conclusion of a* very successful function each child went home the proud possessor of a packet of sweets. Items were contributed by the following:—Joan Moodie, Margaret M'Govern, Winnie Wilson, Dorothy Turner, Nancy Robertson, Margaret Smith, Gladys Angel, Christine Wallace, Joyce Watson, Margaret Brown, Frank Miller, Ray Scott, Collin Sparrow, George Attewell, Alex Munro, Tom Dodds. The Rev. W. Hannah and two parties of boys from the intermediate department also contributed to the enjoyment of the evening. Gramophone items were also rendered by the courtesy of Messrs Charles Begg and Co., Ltd. The Rev. W. Watson suitably closed the function, which proved a most fitting conclusion to the jubilee celebrations.