THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1053, 11 January 1883, Page 3

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The anniversary tea and concert, held in connection with the Presbyterian Church, came off very successfully last Tuesday evening in the Volunteer Hall. There was a large attendance at the tea, which was laid on the tables at 6 p.m., about 250 being present. The tea. was provided by ladies belongiug to the congregation, but as we were unable to ascertain all their names, we refrain from giving the names of some of them, as it would be a most inviduous thing to mention some and leave others out. The eatables were as abundant as they were excellent, and after full juxtice had been done to them the room WBScleared. At the entertainment, which was afterwards held, the Rev D. Gordon presided, and in his introductory remarks he referred to the absence of the Rev Mr Walsh. He gre.\tly regretted his absence, and though he hid left here he would been present only for having been detained on business elsewhere.

The Rev Mr McKee of Waimate, said he had great pleasure in being amongst them that evening. He was a stracger in this part of the country, but what he had seen that day had made a very favorable impression on him. Coming from, comparatively speaking, a hilly country, he could not but be struck with the richness and fertility of the soil of this district. Ho believed there was a great future before South Canterbury, as not alone was the soil rich and fertile, but there was the right class of farmers there to devetape its resources. The future held out bright prospects to them temporally, and he trusted the future of the Church would be as prosperous. There was a grand opportunity offering itself to them to do. good works. If they wished to assist in the cause of Christianity they must work hand in hand with their respected pastor—they must not alone assist him temporally but spiritually, they must assist him with their prayers, and attend the Church. It was most painful to a minister to preach to empty seats. If they wanted to succeed in anything they must set an object before themselves and try to gain it. They could not set a more important object before themselves thau the extension of our Lord's Dominion, and he hoped they would all strive for that object. He was pleased to see the Rev Mr Fee here, and to learn thnt the various denominations were coming closer together every day. This was as it ought to be. They might differ in opinion- and he was not prepared to say that it was not well that they did—but there was noreason why they-should not meet on the broad platform of Christianity, Ho was not one of thosß who pulled long faces and went about in a melancholy state. He believed Christianity never required of a man to be melancholy, and he had no sympathy with such people. He believed a great deal of injury had been done in that way, because young people thought that if they were to become religious they must turn melancholy and sad, and pull lang faces. He did not believe in this, for Christianity did not intend to make man dull and melancholy, seeing that our Divine lord worked his first miracle on one of these festive occasions. (Applause). He referred to the way in which he had been brought up as a Camproniarj,in which the Sabbath Day was'? a day of torture, and expressed his belief that this training had been the cause of sending many astray in this colony when they broke away from the restraint of their guardians, He wound up by observing that the various sections of the christain religion were drawing closor and closer together every day, and by expressing a wish that all of them might prosper, no matter by what name they weie called.

The Rev. T. Fee said he was one of those long faced Wesleyans, and tbey would have to get .1 place in the world yet. After indulging in a few pleasantries which evoked a good deal of laughter, he referred to the friendship which existed; been between the Eev. Mr Gordon and himself, and expressed himself satisfied that though they might be separated the brotherly love which existed between them would last. During last winter they stood together in the same church trying to do good, but what success attended their labors could only be ascertained on the great accounting day. There was one thing which they did—the different denominations were drawn closer together, an! brought to look upon each other as brethren. They were beginning a new year, and he sincerely trusted ihey would work better than in the past year. Then? was a glorious opportunity for those who wished to work in the great work of Christianity, for if there was a place on earth that wanted quickening spiritually it was Temuka. He did not want them to parade their religion—God forbid that he should do so —and those who made a parade cf their religion should bo looked upon with suspiciou. But there was 110 reason why they should not talk to each other about it. They would talk about their ploughs, and machines, and sheep, aud horseß, and as

religion was far more important he saw no reason why they should not speak about it also. The rev. gentleman then delivered a very powerful address on the duties of Christians, stating that it was every man's duty to assist the minister in every way he could. After speaking eloquently for about half an hour, the rev. gentleman wound up by ksxpresaing a hope that they would all strive to do better during the coming y< ar, and that when the day came when they must give an account of their stewardship, the.i' would bo met with ' Well done, thou good and faithful servant.' (Applause.) The Rsv Mr Macintosh, of Otaio, said the Presbytery of Timaru hud met in Temuka that day. They were vere pleased witli the condition of the congregation, especially of the Sabbath School. He had to congratulate them on their Sabbath School. There had been a good deal said about Godless Education in the National Schools, and it was not his intention to go over the same ground that evening. But since the Bible was turned out of the schools the spiritual education of children devolved on the Sabbath Schools. There was no doubt but that the Bible would be in Ike schools again, but in the meantime it was their duty to do all I hey could in the Sabbath Schools. In Sabbath Schools in this colony veiy often the teachers were not one day ahead of the scholars, and therefore cou'd not teach the children properly. It was very difficult to break down and explain a verse of the Bible to children. To obviate th'a he would suggestthat the teachers should meet one evening in the week and discuss between themselves the lessons for th« I following Sunday. In. this way thev would learn the lessons themselves : .unci j be able to explain them to the children. The Rev D. Gordon said Mr Macintosh had referred to the b«st part of their organisation—the Sunday School. That was carried on under the superintendence of his young friend Mr'Mackay. (Applause.) The applause with which his name had been received showed the place he held in the hearts of the people. (Great applause.) He hoped he would be lon<r spared to them to carry on the good work in which he was engaged. The Mr McLenrian, of Pleasant Point, s"id the Presbytery of Timaru hail met in Temuka on that day, and were greatly pleased with the state of the congregation. They were highly gratified by the excellent work done by the esteemed pastor, and they had reason to thank the congregation for their liberality. He expressed a hope that they would continue to do such good in the future as they had done in the past. Mr Stewart s.aid he felt very thankful for the excellent tea the ladies had provided. There were some members of the church who never darkened its doors. This was much to be regretted, and he would remind these that there wer« a great many of them living that day ,v!m wonld not be alive that day twelve month.-. He urged upon them not to hi'le this from their own eyes. In the intervals between the speeches the Choir ' enlivened the proceedings bv singing the following :—-' My. God.' '"'Tis blessed to give,' ' There is room,' ' Speak the truth,' Come, ye blessed,' 'The Lord will provide,' Cheerful voices,' ' 'Tis not fine words,' 'We all might do good,'' Blessed is the people.' The Choir was under the conductorehip of Mr Edmonds, under whose careful tuition they arrived at a very high degree of proficiency, as might be observed from the way they sang. Miss Thomsom sang a solo, and Miss Blyth played a solo on the piano very creditably. Miss Blyth also accompanied the Choir on the harmonium very efficiently. The Chairman proposed votes of thanks to the ladies who Lad provided the tea, to Mr Edmonds his Choir, to the speakers, and to all present, which were carried by acclamation. The Rev Mr McLennan proposed a' vote of thanks to the Chairman, which' was carried amidst great applause, and the proceedings wound up with the National Anthem.