SOIREE AT TE AROHA.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 172, 2 October 1886, Page 2

SOIREE AT TE AROHA.

The soiree and concert preceded by a tea held in the Te Aioha Public Hall, on Monday evening last in aid of the Upper Thames Wesleyan Circuit, was one oi: the largest gatherings we have seen for a long- time past in that building. Early in the afternoon a number of ladies assembled, and were busily engaged for several hours in arranging for the tea, etc., and shortly before the time named for opening, viz., half past six, everything was in readiness. The tea was laid on four tables, each nearly the entire length of the Hall, and each heavily laden with the good things usually provided upon such occasions. The tables were tastefully decorated with flowers etc. etc., the tea pronounced on all sides to be really Al., and altogether the arrangements were excellent. The following presided at

the tray a : Mesdaines Emerson, Blencowe, Lavery, and Hotchin, and Misses G. Maingay, Devey, Mackie, and Hotchin. Full justice having been done to the good things provided, and the tables were chared away, and the Hall quickly made ready for the concert} which commenced a few minutes before eight, and by that time every available seat was occupied. Rev. 0. Dean presided, and was supported on the platform by Revs. Jas. Marshall, and Kdw. Best. After the meeting had been opened in the usual manner, the following programme was gone through ;—; — Chairman address. Hymn, " Peace be still," Choir ; Quartette, " There is a calm," song, "The lost Dove," Mrs Darby ; Address, Rev. Jas. Marshall ; song, "Send for Mother, Birdie's dying," Miss Smithe ; hymn, " Gathering Home," Choir ; song, « The Gates of the West," Miss Hartley ; Address, Rev. Edw. Best ; song, " The Missing Boat," Mrs Darby; quartette, " Home.'' The Chairman, in suitable terms, expressed the great gratification it afforded him to see such a very large and representative gathering on the occasion ; he felt it most encouraging- to find this effort to assist the funds of his church so generously and heartily responded to; and he hoped on the occasion of Mr Marshall's forthcoming Bazaar, etc., that'all those presentand very many others would attend, and that it would be a success in every way. The Rev. Mr Marshall said : The fiist piece of news he had heard that day was some one saying to him " You have no idea what a large congregation the Wesleyanshad yesterday; and the singing was magnificent, but the preacher was Best." The Chairman had, when addressing them, said they were there tonight, to put it plain, "to raise the wind," he hoped it would be raised and be followed by a whirlwind on the occasion of the forthcoming Bazaar in aid of the funds of the Anglican Chuich. The Rev. Mr Best prefaced his remarks by saying they did not always have so distinguished a dignitary of the chucrlvm the chair as a Dean. Every time he came to Te Aroha he felt more and more interested in it, and sincerely hoped the residents were now entering on brighter and more prosperous times. Since his last visit a very neat Anglican Church had been erected which he was greatly pleased to have seen, and his heart went up in fervent prayer to God that it might be the birthplace of many souls.^ Speaking of churches being sometimes in debt, one of the first things that greatly foiced itself upon his notice, on coming to the colony a few years since, was that debt seemed so to prevail ; everywhere it appeared the same, both as regards the State and the people, and he was amazed to see thoy all bore it so pleasantly, and the only regret appeared to be when they could not borrow any more. But there were great allowances to be made for a young country, which had so quickly taken a leading position, and jet had to do so much for itself in a very few years. Those resi.leut in the young towns oE the colony, had not the 'same opportunities as those in the older countries, in being able to step in, as it were, and take advantage of improvements which had been going on for centuries. Yet for all this he did hate debt of every sort. The speaker concluded his remarks by begging his hearers to ask their own hearts " How much owest thou thy Lord." Only Eternity would suffice to pay the debt we owe our God, who had done such ,great things for us and daily watched over us, and loaded us with loving kindness and tender mercies. The musical portion of the programme was under the leadership of Mr Whitehouse ; and altogether the gathering was a most successful one, and the result should be highly satisfactory in a pecuniary point of view, specially seeing that all the traps were given by friends. The Chairman returned thanks to all those who had so kindly assisted, and specially to the ladies, and the proceedings closed by Rev. Mr Marshall pronouncing the Benediction.