BOMBAY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 217, 13 October 1916, Page 4

BOMBAY.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH JUBILEE. A great day ia the history of Bombay Church life was observed on Sunday, 24th September, when the jubilee of the opening of the Church was celebrated. On that day 50 years ago the Church was opened when Rev. J. Hill preached the first sermon within its walls. As far as can be known, only two persons who were present at the opening service are now alive. They are Rev. R Sutnmerville, of Auckland, and Mr Lindsey, of Bombay. On Jubilee Sunday the service was conducted by Rev. Isaac Jolly M.A, of Auckland. The congregation present over-taxed the seating capacity of the Church and forms and chairs had to be requisitioned from elsewhere. Rev. I. Jolly took for his Text Romans I. 15, selecting the words "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ," from which he preached an eloquent and powerful sermon, the preacher being listened to with intense earnestness throughout. The singing was led by St. James choir, Pukekohe, who had gone over to Bombay for the occasion. A deep spirit of thankfulness and devotion pervaded the congregation and on account of the earnestness of the preacher and the heartiness of the singing it will be a day long to be remembered by all those who had the privilege of being present. A social in connection with the Jubilee celebrations was held in the Church on the following Wednesday evening. The Church was well filled with parishioners and their friends. The Rev. S. Nixon presided and apologies for absence were read from Rev. R. Sumtne 1 ?- ville and Mr W. Lindsey. The Rev. Mr Summerville, in his letter, spoke of being present at the social fifty years ago. In those days there was no railway and he had to ride from Auckland on horseback in order to be present. Mr Summerville was then a new arrival from Scotland and at the meeting gave a splendid address on " Procrastination.' 7

In Mr Lindsay's letter he described more in detail the first social gathering, fle distinctly remembers the following ministers being present : Eevs. K. Sumtnerville, T. Norrie, J. Hill and D. Bruce, and Mr Eccles, Home Missionary. He described how a large marquee had been erected on what is now known asMr Harris' Hill, but owing to the mildness of the weather the tea was served on tables erected under the shade of the magnificent puriri trees which then covered the hill. He also tells how he and three other young men, viz., Messrs W. Taylor, T. Jones and R. Martin, rode over each evening to Drury in order to practice anthems for the occasion. The little organ, at which Mr Lindsey officiated at the opening of the Church, was the first and only one in the district and did good service on similar occasions in different parts of the country. In the absence of Rev. R. Sommerville, who was to address the meetingl, the Kev. S. Nixon gave a stirring address on the progress of the Presbyterian Church in Now Zealand. The musical part of the programme consisted of songs by Mrs Keane, Miss I. Smith (of Auckland), Miss E. W. Rodgers, Mr W. T. Jones and Mr Woods. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Nixon and Miss Woods. The Church had been beautifully decorated both for the Sunday service and the social with white flowers and evergreens. After a dainty supper, provided by the ladies of the congregation, a most successful social was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem.