PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOIREE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 217, 28 October 1874, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOIREE.

As we expected, the Music Hall was crowded on Monday evening, on the occasion of the Soiree held there, in aid of the Presbyterian Church Building Fund. Around the Hall were ranged some twelve tables, tastefully and invitingly spread with all the et coetera of the evening meal, garnished with floral decorations, and each one presided over by two or more ladies, according to the extent of patronage their fascinating chat might bring to them. None seemed to lack custom ; and if assiduity of attention ; a charming abandonment of formal reserve ; the sweetest of smiles, and the nicest of tea, are calculated at any time (and few' will say they are not) to soften the heart and appease the appetite, it can scarcely be a matter of wonder that the entertained expressed regret at the imperative command which took their fair entertainers from them to new duties in connection with the entertainment. The pleasant occupation of “ tea taking ” on this occasion, differed only in its essentially social characteristic, by the large number of what really seemed to be a family gathering ; and all the good things provided were partaken of with a relish that must have been pleasing to those ladies who had striven to cater successfully for the enjoyment of their friends. Here we will leave them while we pass on to a cursory glance at the PBOGBAMME. Fond as we are—by constitutional habit, and by education, — of tea, and ladies’ society, we confess to a preference for the intellectual treat provided, principally by them, in the after part of the evening. The steady practices, under the effective leadership of Mr. Graham, stood the performers in good stead, for a more complete succgss can scarcely be conceived of than that which attended their efforts on Monday night. The concerted pieces,, were executed with a care, which, if the precision did not tally with the conductor’s baton, was pleasing to observe, while the Solos were sang with great taste and feeling. Amongst these we may quote “ Eve’s Lamentation ” sung by Mrs. Berry with marked emphasis and correctness; “ Resignation,” which called into play the beauties of Mr. Dufaur’s rich bass notes ; and “ Let the Dead and the Beautiful Best,” (Solo aud Chorus) led by the Rev. Mr. Root, aud the Chorus taken up by Miss Nesbitt, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Dufaur. This is a pretty gem, aud was sung exquisitely. Jackson’s “Te Deum” commenced the programme, and was succeeded, during the evening, by the following chorus pieces:—“In Jewry is God Known“ Lord of all Power and Might,” “ Kyrie Elieson,” and “ Gloria,” from Mozart’s “Twelfth Mass,” all of which were very creditably performed, the twolast particularly so. “Sleepers Wake” sang as a quartett bj' the Misses Nesbitt, 'and Messrs. Dufaur and Graham ; and a trio, by the same ladies and Mr. Dufaur, “ Forgive Blest Shade,” were exceedingly well rendered. Mr. and Mrs. Graham sang that Heavenly composition, “ The Vital Spark,” with telling effect, notwitlistand--ing a little trepidation on the lady’s part. Addresses were delivered, at intervals by the Reverends Root, Russell, Sidey and Bruce, the quaint anecdotes with which they were interlarded, being a source of great amusement.

Before the close, Mr. M. Hall, ou behalf of the community, presented Mr. W. Gay in a neat speech, with a purse of twenty sovereigns as a mark of their appreciation of his valuable and disinterested services, as organist. Mr. Gay said that what he had done was, to him, a labor of love; he had not expected any reward, but returned his sincere thanks for the substantial acknowledgment with which he had been presented. The Rev. Mr. Sidey moved cordial votes of thanks to the ladies, who had provided trays &c., and to the choir members, who had contributed so much to the enjoyableness of the evening’s entertainment, both of which were warmly acknowledged — certainly they were justly due. the National Anthem concluded the performance. According to the Financial Statement read by the Rev. Mr. Root, it appears that a balance is due to the Treasurer, on account of the Church Building Fund of £7B 2s 4d.