PRESBYTERIAN ANNIVERSARY AT GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1184, 29 May 1884, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN ANNIVERSARY AT GERALDINE.

On Monday evening last the anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in Geraldine was held in the Oddfellows' Hall: On previous occasions of a similar character the celebration was chiefly confined to a tea meeting and ' speechifying,' but tha establishing of the Geraldine Philharmonic Soeiety, and the great success attending the concerts given by the same, led the Committee to experimentalise in a digression from the usual rub* and give, instead of dry sermonising speeches, an intellectual treat by way of a concert by the members of the Philharmonic Society. But more of this anon.

THE TEA MEETING. The proceedings of the evening commenced with the usual tea meeting. 'The cup which cheers but does not inebriate' exhilarated the spirits of all who partook thereof, and about 250 persons, both old and young, were regaled with a ■umptuous and ample repast provided by Messrs Williams and Son, in regard to whose cateiing it is unnecessary to laudate, so well known are they as being par txcellenceihe caterers for the district. One word in regard to the decorations of the hall. They were simple, yet, at the same time, very effective. On the wall at the western end was the motto, ' A friend loveth at all times,' on a white ground ; and on the side walls, ' Union is strength,' and «Be of good courage.' No doubt the latter was the result of a happy thought,

as a few words of encouragement to diffident and bashful young men, who, when they entered the hall, might otherwise have been rooted to the ground in wonderment at the fair levy of young ladies who graced the headß of the tables, disbursing the good things before them in that felicitous manner which can only be obserred and duly appreciated by those who attend and enjoy themselves on such occasions. The hall was also tastefully decorated with evergreens. The tables were eight in number. The bachelors' table, which was beautifully decorated, was presided over by the Misses H«lem and Shaw. The other tables by the Misses Dunlop, McLfian, Kelman, Bell, Findlay, Mackay, Ashby, Rae. Beckley, F. Helem, and Miss i Boswell (2). Mesdames Barclay and Shaw J

■lso presided at a table. ihe great popularity ot a Presbyterism soiree in Geraldine was easily discernible on Monday evening last, in the fact that the tea commenced at half-past five p.m. punctually, and did not conclude till half-past sevon, and even after the tables were cleared at least fifty more persons arriving late had to be disjointed, and had to return home at » later hour the same as they came away therefrom, minus their tea. The tables at last being cleared away, the musical nnrHnn of the evening's entertainment

by way of TUB CONCERT commenced, tbe members of the Philharmonic Society taking part therein, under their conductor, Mr Edmonds, who wielded hi« baton with bis usual ability and affability. The hull was, without exagacration, crammed, and it is questionable if half a dozen more persons could have found standing room. Miss Fiah accompanied the singers on the piano, with that «*«y gr*c« for which both

herself and her sister, Miss A. Fish, are so famed. The concert commenced with the entire company singing the National Anthem ' God Save the Queen,' in honor of* the celebration of Her Majesty's birthday. At its conclusion the .Rev. G. Barclay, the venerated pastor of the congregation, remarked that those present were all aware that hitherto on similar occasions, for which they were that evening gathered togethar he had occupied the chair. He had begged off, and was therefore free to ! propose a gentleman much greater and bigger than he. He had much pleasure in asking Mr Angus Macdonald to take the chair. (Applause). Mr Macdonald, in rising to take his position as Chairman, remarked that it was a query as to his being a bigger man than the Rev. Geo. Barclay. (Laughter). Another social Presbyterian gathering had again come round, aod he thought those present would all agree with h ; m that the change in the usual was a happy one, for instead cf iheir likening to oratory it was to consist entirely of music and singing. When he looked around him and saw the musical talent seated on the platform he was sure they bad a great treat in store. He had often wondered on occasions similar to the present, why the Presbyterians were so fond of meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall Was it because they themselves we>e Oddfellows ? Why did they not use their own church ? (A voice : Because it is too small and too far away). Well it may be so, but the fact should stir the Presbyterians up to subscribe liberally and build a church in the township. Ihen they could have two services on the Sabbath instead of only one as at present. To his idea it was a question as to whether the hall they were in was in the township or the country. Maybe it was between the two, but perhaps more in the country, because there were owls (Owles) in the neighborhood. (Great laughter and applause). Now owls liked living in the country better than the town, and his audience must not make a noise during the evening or they would frighten the owls away. He would not detain those present any longer, as no doubt they were all impatient to hear the music. Mr Willoughby then sang ' Our Jack's Come Home,' with accompanying chorus. An encore was demanded but not responded to. He wa3 followed by Miss Andrews, who sang 'Robin Adair,' and theduet, 'All's Well,' by was given Messrs Eckford and Edmonds.

Mr Dunlop, on being called on by the Chairman to give a short address, said it gave him great pleasure to see so many kind friends at their social meeting. On previous occasions he had spoken in reference to the necessity existing for the enlarging of the Oddfellows' Hall, and he was that evening more convinced than ever that it would soon have to be done. In years gone past the Presbyterian gatherings had been a great success, but that evening it was a greater success than ever. He observed friends present from Fairlie Creek, Temuka, Timaru, and other pln.c<\«. of all sects and denomination?, iiio duty had generally been to lay before similar meetings a financial statement as to the funds of their church, but he would not do so that evening. During the past year they had had all uphill work, and they had to devise the ways and means to carry on the work of the church, and it was a source ot great trouble at the present time. However, he was thankful to say that they stood in quite as good a position this year as previously. In regard to the remarks made by their Chairman, he also considered that the Presbyterians should build their church in Geraldine, so that instead of their Minister going into the Mackenzie Country, whereby he was away for eight weeks at a time, they could always have their services twice on the Sabbath day. At the present time, owing to the distance the church was from the lower township, the Sabbath School had to be conducted in the public school room as well as in the church. This was no doubt detrimental to its general welfare, and if they had a church erected iu the township there was little doubt but that it would be more beneficial.

The glee, * Who Stole My Love,' was next rendered, after which Mr Manning gave a very humorous recitation) entitled •What the Old Man Does is Right.' Mrs Edmonds and Miss Hamilton followed with the duet 'The Merry Bell?.' Mr Edmonds sang, by special desire, ' The Noble Boy of Truth,' which was the gem of the evening, the rendition of it fairly ' bringing down the house.' After the members of the Philharmonic Society had sung 'May Day,' an interval of ten minutes ensued.

The second part of the programme commenced with a glee by the Society, followed by Mrs Glass in the song ' The .blowers of the Forest;' Mr Lodge, 'The Standard Bearer ;' and the duet, ' List to the Con Tent Bells,' by the Misses Dunlop and Boswe!!. The Rev. J. Preston, who was received with continuous cheering, next addressed the meeting. Ha said he wai not an orator, his name was not on the programme of the evening, he had no business there, and how he came there he could not tell, but he found himself sitting between two ladies and he was compelled to stop. was like troeat Peel Forest which had jumped over a gor*e fence 7 ft in height nnd no ODe knew how it got there. At the request of the Rev. Mr Barclay, who, by-the-bye, had said that unless someono got upand varied the evening'» entertainment he was tifraid Mr Edmonds's bellows would burst—ha had come forward to prevent so dire a calamity, and hoped Mr Edmonds would appreciate his kindness. Times were very hard just now and wages iow. Many persons were walking about in the streets, and it was a hard job to get a joke out of them. He had in the past always received great kindness at the hands of their respected minister, tha Rev. Geo. Barclay. He was a bit of a Scotchman himself, because his grand father, on his mother's side, was one. He recollected when he was a boy going to a Scotch Church, where one was always expected to put money into the plate. He saw two elders who fixed their eyes on him like giml«ts, no doubt thinking lie was not going to give them any money. He knew for a fnct that some people who went to Church left their purses ' on th" piano.' He hoped that practice would be discontinued, and that they won'd liberally respond to the call whenever funds wer.; required to assist the working of the Church. He thought Mr Edmonds's bellows were again in good order by that x time. He could not raise any more jokes

on account of the hard times. (Laughter and applause.) A song by Mrs Edmonds, ' Bonnie Scotland,' was loudly encored, in response to which that lady sang ' Bide a wee.' Mr Logan followed with the song 'My Lady's Harp.' Mr R. Irvine next addressed the meet-

ing. He wa3 ghid to to see their anniversary such a success, and that there was no fault to be found with the aiiango-

ments. There was, however, one fault which he found, and he hoped they would mend it next year by not calling on him to address them. Their Chairman had said that no oratory would be allowed that evening. He was no orator and would only say a few more in words congratulating them on their success. Mr Gurr next sang 'On the Banks of the Silvery Thames,' accompanying himself on the piano. He was loudly encored, and in response he gave another comic song, 'The Circus.' A trio by Mrs Edmonds, Miss Andrews and Mr Willoughby followed. The Rev. G. Barclay said he bad a

lively recollection of the remarks made by their Chairman tha,t evening, who deprecated oratory on such occasions, and lie'had no intention of inflicting a speech. Both Mr Macdonald and himself were manly enough to differ on some subjects, and they had disagreed in regard to speechifying at their w anoiversary gatherings. At previous anniversaries they had hud some excellent speeches, which tended always to edify, instruct and at the same time to amuse them. The Rev. Mr Preston, whom he always welcomed, had given

them a most amusing speech that evening, but, as the woman sa'd who kissed the cow, ' different persons have different tastes,' and he fancied that some persons would that evening go away disappointed because the Committee had not made arrangements whereby they might have listened to eminent speakers. It came hard on the singers to be 'trotted out,' as it were, every minute. He did not possess the power of wit or the fund of humor like his valued friend, Mr Preston, for when he was on a platform his jokes deserted him. He was deeply gratified to see such a large gathering that evening, and he hoped they would all enjoy themselves. He was always glad to see people take an interest in social matters, and the presence that evening of so large a number of persons showed him that they took an interest, in religious matters also. He was thankful to one and all for their presence that evening. Mr Edmonds sang ' The Outpost,' The usual votes of thanks to the Choir, especially mentioning the Misses Fish and Mr Edmonds, and to the ladies who presided at the tea, the Committee, and to the Chairman were passed with acclamation.

The Chairman called on Mrs Dunlop to sing ' Auld Lang Syne,' which brought the programme to a close amid the congratulations of all present as to the unqualified success of their anniversary.