PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 903, 12 January 1882, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

TEA AND CONCERT. A most successful Tea and Concert was held last night, in the Volunteer Hall, in connection with the Presbyterian Church. Apparently it was an event that had been looked forward to for a long time with great interest, as witnessed by the excellence of the preparations made for it, and also the large number of people that attended it. The Tea commenced at 6 o’clock in the evening, by the Rev. Mr Gordon asking a blessing. There was not half enough of room in the Jlall for the number that attended, although there were laid 13 tables at each of which about 16 persons could bq seated. The seats at the tables were crowded three times in snocession before all present had been attended to, so that no less than 300 persons could have been present at the tea. The good things, which were supplied by the ladies ..of the congregation, were as plentiful in quantity as they were excellent in quality and were the subject of many enconiums during the evening. .Amongst those present were people from Timaru, Pleasant Point, Geraldine, and all the intermediate districts, who had come by the trains and in traps to be present. The tables were presided over by the following ladies: No. 1, Misses Dunn and McCallum ; No. 2, Miss Thomson ; No. 3, Misses McNair and Sutherland ; No. 4, Mesdames Wilson and Smith ; No. 5, Misses Mary Dunn and Simpson ; No. 6, Misses Watt and Smith ; No. 7, Mrs Ackroyd; No. 8, Misses Stewart; No. 9, Misses Hay and Lough ; No. 10, Miss McCullough ; No. 11, Miss Paterson ; No. 12, Misses Blyth and M. A. Sutherland ; No. 13, Miss Mary Paterson.

After tea the room was cleared fer the concert which was held at 8 o’clock. The Rev D. Gordon occupied the chair, and amongst those who occupied seats on the platform were the Revs. G. Barclay, Macintosh, McLennan, Chaffers-Welsh, Fee, and Luke. The hall was crowded to excess and the various items on the programme were listened to with great interest.

The concert was opened with the overture, “. S’lvery Waves” which was played |n a capital manner by Miss Blyth,

The Rev Mr Gordon addressed the audience. He was sorry there wns not better accommodation for those who were unable to obtain seats. The concert was held an n ually in remembrance of his comi ig amongst them. During the past year they had many things to be thankful for, The most perfect union, good feeling. a"d activity existed amongst thefofficers of the Church and they had the gratification of finding their efforts crowned with success. They had reduced their debt by £240 and they hoped to reduce it by another £240 during the present year. Their income had inreased to and plans were now prepared for the erection of a new church. The Sunday school had made great progress, and they had many other blessings for which they ought to be thankful. He would now proceed with the programme, by calling on the choir to sing. The choir, under the directorship of Mr J. H. Edmunds’ sang “Sowing the Seed” in a manner that showed they had carefully rehearsed it. The time was good, and their voices blended well together. M : ss Lines, of Timaru, who was introduced in flattering terms by the rev. chairman, and well merited the applaus which the audience lavished upon hor, sang “My own native heather,” and in response to an encore gave ‘ My Robin • is Shy.” One feature of Miss Innes’s singing is that though she has an excellent voice she sings only the 1 simplest and most popular songs, and amateurs would do well to follow her example. In the second part she sang “ Yesterday” in a manner that elicited a hearty encore.

The rr-v chairman then introduced the Rev Ohaffers-Welsh, who congratulated them on the' success of their entertainment. He had now been fwelve months in Temuka, and never received only th p greatest kindness wherever he went, and whatever denomination the persons he met belonged to. It was pleasant to find that though they might differ on matters of doctrine, they could meet socially together on occasions like this. He would be sorry if he had not an opportunity of congratulating them on their success during the past year, and of expressing his sympathy with his friends of the Presbyterian Chuich. After expressing his great desire to see unanimity amongst various denominations at some length, the rev. gentleman thanked them for their kind reception of himself, and sat down amidst great applause. Mr Mansfield next sang “ Home Sweet Home,” and was loudly applauded. An excellent duet on the piano and violin, played by Mies and Master Morris, of Pleasant Point, quite a furore, and was encoi’ed. Too much could not be said in favor of this item of the programme which was exceedingly well executed considering the youth of the musicians %nd the fact that they are amateurs. Their performance would have done credit to professionals. “Home they Brought her Warrior Dead” was sung in splendid voice and with spirit by Mrs Edmonds, who well deserved the cordial manner in which she was applauded and encored. In response she sang My Heart is Over the Sea.” but her best was “£We’d Better Bide Aw,ee” fc in the second

part. Miss Thompson received an encore for “ Auld Robin Gray,” but did not respond. Mr Storey, who sang Never look Behind” has a clear tenor voice, but he was timid and did not put spirit enough into his singing. Doubtless a little more experience would wear off the timidity and enable him to sing in a manner that would please the most critical, Mr J. G. Bowie, of Timaru, recited “ Snamus O’Brien ” in a very effective manner, and algo “ The Uncle,” but the recitations were too long, and only for Mr Bowie possessing considerable dramatic power, and rhe audience being in the best of humors they would not have passed off so successfully. Long recitations are a mistake, and Mr Bowie would do well to select shorter ones. He possesses abilities which, if well directed, would gain for him the good opinion of any audience. The first part wonnd up with the Choir singing the anthem “Thine, O Lord,” and. after an interval of five minutes, they opened the second part with the hymn ‘‘Through the Valley,” in both of which they showed careful training. Miss McNair sang “ Eileen Alannah ” accompanied by a chorus in a nice sweet voice, and was well applauded, and Miss M. Morris, a little girl of about ten years of age, received qutte an ovation for her singing of “ Still I love Thee.”

At the invitation of the rev chnirman, the Rev Mr Fee said he was very glad to be present at their entertainment. He looked upon their pastor as a brother, and felt he owed a debt to the Presbyterians for the care they took of discontented Wesleyans. He then recited “The Widow’s Choice,” a humorous recitation which took immensely with the audience. The only other item on the programme which has not already been referred to, is a recitattion “ Young Lochinvar,” given in a clear, distinct voice, and with good effect, by Miss McOallum, after which the Choir svng the anthem “I will Lift up Mine Eyes.” The Rev Mr Luke, of Geraldine, moved a vote of thanks to the ladies who presided at the tables, which was carried.

The Rev Mr Lindsay, of Waimate, moved a vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who took part in the entertainment which was also carried. The Rev. Mr Chaffers-Welsh moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and this being carried, the proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem.”