CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 18840, 5 June 1920, Page 2

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

FROM PULPIT AND PEW. The First Church branch of the P.W.M.U. is making an effort to increase the missionary givings of the congregation. On Wednesday evening next it will hold a concert and sale in Stobo Hail. Contributions of all kinds are invited from members of the church and these will be sold by public auction at the close of the concert. It is expected that the result will materially increase the mission funds of the church. A pleasant function took place in the social room of the Y.M.C.A. on Friday afternoon, when a number of friends from the Central Methodist congregation met together to say goodbye to Mr and Mrs David Cox, who are leaving for the Old Country. Mr Cox has taken a keen interest in the Leet Street Church for a number of years and has endeared himself to all with whom he has come in contact. Mr and Mrs Cox were each presented with a small memento of their sojourn in Invercargill and their connection with the Methodist Church.

The Rev. E. Gardiner, of South Invercargill, has received a very flattering compliment from the congregation over which he has ministered for some time past. The charge has recently been raised to the “fully sanctioned” platform, necessitating that a call be sent to Mr Gardiner. The Rev. J. L, Robinson, who introduced the matter at last meeting of the Presbytery, stated that he believed that it was the most unanimous call ever signed in the history of (he Presbyterian Church in the Dominion and constituted an endorsement of Mr Gardiner's ministry which must be very gratifying to that gentleman. Messrs Paterson, Grant and Allison, who appeared in support of the call on behalf of the South Invercargill congregation, spoke in very high terms of Mr Gardiner’s industry and devotion in the work of his parish and assured him of the love and affection of all the members of the church. Mr Gardiner accepted the call. He stated that he had been lately approached with regard to a vacancy further north, but in view of the heartiness of the call from South Invercargill he felt that it was his duty to remain in his present sphere. Mr Gardiner’s decision will be received with great satisfaction by his people.

The committee of the Victoria Home intend holding a sale in the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Wednesday next, beginning in the afternoon and continuing in the evening with a musical programme. Owing to the fact that they have had, during the past year, several special expenses and alterations to face, the committee feel that the time has arrived for a public appeal for help to be made. This institution has proved a priceless boon to many friendless girls and a haven of refuge to the weak and unfortunate. If those who are interested in the. good work being quietly done in our midst will show their appreciation of it by sending contributions of cakes, home-made scones, produce, sweets, or other saleable articles, and doing what they can to make the sale a success, they will earn the gratitude of those who are freely giving their services to this noble work. The services at St. Peter’s Methodist Church on Sunday next promise to be of unusual interest. In the morning the pastor, the Rev. P. J. Cnssum, will preach on the topic—“ The Significance of Calvary," and (he service will be followed by the Holy Communion. In the evening a special musical service will be held, at which the choir will render special anthems (one unaccompanied) and the pastor will deliver an appropriate address. The musical portion of the service will also include a male quartette and a solo. Next week may bo termed conference week at St. Peter’s. On Monday evening the ministers will meet in conference the members of the Young Ladies’ Bible Class, on Tuesday afternoon the ladies of the congregation and on Wednesday evening the men of the congregation.

The activity of St. Peter’s shows that the amalgamation of the Methodist churches at the southern part of the town is no proof of decaying vitality. The church is thronged on even,' fine Sunday and the Sunday School is flourishing. On Wednesday evening last the Band of Hope held the first meeting of this winter’s session; there was a large attendance of young folk, a number of items were given by members and the Rev. P. J. Cossum delivered a brief address.

What proved to be a most interesting and enjoyable social was held in Stobo Hall on Tuesday evening when the congregation of First Church entertained the Right Rev. .1. A. Asher, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. The Rev. J. L. Robinson presided and after praise and prayer gave a very interesting and lively description of the modcratorial office. Apparently a moderator combines all the gifts and graces, dignities and honours it is possible to conceive, together with that wisdom, learning and prudence which go to make the head of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand a most unusual and distinguished personality. Mr Asher was visibly affected and not a lilt's surprised to find himself "the repository' of all the virtues.” The Rev. John Collie, representing the Presbytery, followed in humorous vein but brought the Moderator to earth with a bum)) by reminding him that there were quite a number of derelict moderators floating round the church at the present time. Mr J. L. Watson added still further to the merriment of the occasion in a reminiscent speech during which he produced a photograph of 39 First Church Sunday School teachers of 50 years ago, a picture (hat was evidently of very great interest to many of the older members of the congregation. He told his audience that both he and Mr Asher had learned to swim in Puni Creek nearly half a century ago, "ami the water was really clean, though it didn’t look it.” Mr Asher himself recalled many of the old times and old friends of his boyhood and youth and delivered a speech that must have stirred up many old memories. The success of the evening was greatly contributed to by a number of musical items by the choir and friends of the congregation.

The Methodist Church at Bluff was crowded on Wednesday night last, for the anniversary roncert. A lengthy and delightful programme of musical and elocutionary items included several instrumental and vocal selections from members of (he crew of the s.s. Opawa, now berthed at the Bluff. A short address was given by the Rev. Robert Francis, of the local Presbyterian Church. It was the unanimous opinion that, the concert was one of the best ever held in the church. The Rev. P. .1. Cossum was the preacher at the anniversary ; services on the previous Sunday and his eloquent and masterly sermons were much enjoyed and appreciated by the large congregations which assembled. Under the leadership of the Revs. McNcur, Winton, and Morgan, Centro Bush, a special mission has just concluded at turnsden. Notwithstanding the adverse climatic conditions numbers of the congregation attended the gatherings right through the mission. Mr McNeur presided during the first week and Mr Morgan during the second. Both gentlemen delivered very earnest, impressive and helpful addresses and both old and young people have experienced an uplift and encouragement in spiritual life. The conviction has been expressed that services of this nature might very profitably be conducted throughout the churches more frequently by the ministers within the Presbytery, especially in these days of so much distress and restlessness. The Presbyterian church would be wise to make more widespread use of the evangelistic fervour and talents of such ministers as those who have visited the Lumsden parish. Local residents look forward to another such mission with sincere expectations and gladness.

A iumble sale arranged by the Woodlands Women’s Guild was held in the Public Hall on Friday, May 28. Although the weather was most unfavourable there was a good attendance and good business was done. Mrs Wedderspoon apologised for the unavoidable absence of her husband and said that the duty of opening the sale had fallen on her. She said that there were two reasons for holding the sale. In the first place they wanted to help the congregational work, and, secondly, to respond to the special appeal for the home and foreign mission funds. As a Presbyterian Church

they had opened these missions and it behoved them as Christians to support them in their hour of urgent need. She thanked them for their magnificent response to the appeal of the Women’s Guild, which was only two months old. The well filled stalls testified to the goodwill of the people and to the interest of the members of their church. It was always more blessed to give than to receive and she asked them'“that night to give as generously as they bad hitherto done. After thanking everybody for their contributions she declared the sale open. As the result of the effort over £BO was received.

The secretary of the i‘ S.S.A. Is meeting with continued success in his visits to the various Presbyterian churches in Southland. Last Sunday he visited the Forest Hill charge, conducting the services at Forest Hill, Hokonui and Brown’s and speaking to interested and sympathetic congregations. During the first two days of the week the rain and flooded streams retarded his progress somewhat, and prevented Lim from visiting the Lochiel :.nd Tussock Creek sections of the parish, but these will be visited in the course of t few weeks. The canvass resulted in cash donations amounting to £SO 17s 6d and In addition twelve dressed sheep were promised. The visit was an enjoyable one. Mr Ker is much impressed by the lively interest taken in social service work by the people of the district. On Sunday Mr Ker will visit Oterarnika parish, and is looking forward to an enjoyable and profitable time Ihere. When Sister Nora visited this parish over two years ago the people gave liberally and willingly. The Association’s needs are much greater to-day than then. , All the children of Cameron Home and Gladstone Home were vaccinated on Tuesday morning.