PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1500, 16 October 1886, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The annual soiree in connection with the above church was held last Wednesday evening. A report of the tea appeared in our last issue. The following is » report of the meeting held afterwards. The Rev. Mr White, Moderator of the congregation, presided, and the proceedings opened with the choir singing hymn 156, Moody and Sankey’s collection, after which The Rev. Mr White said he was glad to be present, as he would now meet more than he would at the Sabbath or congregational meetings. He was glad also to say that bis relations with Temuka as Moderator were exceedingly pleasant, and be felt it was very wrong to give Temuka a bad name. Owing to the assistance of the Rev. Mr Cecil, in whom he bad implicit confidence as a gentleman and a Christian, his work as Moderator was extremely pleasant, but still the sooner he was done with them the better. The sooner they had a minister after their own hearts the better. The way to get on well was to hare an elder in every district, with a committee to assist him, and a large central committee. If they wanted to make a grand display 5 if they wanted to succeed 5 if they they wanted to put their financial position straight they must ask God to bless them. There was only one way to succeed, and that was by prayer. They must be prayerful; they must pray for each other, and if they did not all their work would be in vain. If an angel from Heaven were amongst them as a minister, he would be of no use if they did not pray. They must unite together. The reason the ministers had not so much power over the people out here as they had at Home was because the people at Home were not out here, and if they were here they would have to be kept away from those that are here. The people must stick together, not in a bigoted or sectarian way,

but in a Christian spirit. They must also look after their finances. Ministers must here bread, and if they would not give them bread some other people would. If they would bare a good minister they must give a good stipend. H* would exhort them to take notice of what he bad said, and also to give a fair bearing to the other items on the programme.

Tbe Rev. Mr Baroley said the present was not the time to make a speech. He congratulated them on their large meeting, and was glad to find they were getting on so well, and that they were getting into such a good financial position. It was doubtless owing to the enthusiasm and energy of the Moderator, and the eloquence and good work of the Eer. Mr Cecil. He was glad they were getting on 10 well, although they were getting into such a loose latitndinarian way in this colony. It was a pity they erer left Scotland or Ireland if they were such a bad lot as their Moderator had said. Still he would urge them to unite together. "He gaie'-a great many instances of the constancy and unity of the early Christians. Taking Christ as a central figure, their fidelity to him ought be very pure. They ought to be decided as regards Christ. They ought aUh' have the fortitude to do what their conscience told them was right. There were circumstances in life which urged to the promptitude of doing aright. They did not know the moment they might be wrecked. He urged them not to postpone anything they thought it their duty to do. They must must be men and women of progress, He would Wish them success.

The Rev. Mr Thomas sard he need riot say much after the eloquent and extremely thoughtful speech of the Rev. Mr Barclay. He referred to the recitation of Miss McCaskill, and mggested sending a letter to Jesus, asking him to send them a good pastor. They were at the spring season, of the colony’s life, aud it was the time for all the churches to put forth special efforts to stem the tide of freethoght. Thie was the true corrective for it. Ha urged them 1 toattend to the training of the young, and they would hare the future of the country in their hands to mould, and they would rise up a nation doing the will of the Divine Founder, and carrying out the purposes of the Great Head.

The Rev. Mr Hamilton was glad to be present. The walls which separated them were lowering so that they could shake hands. The poet said, “ he hated every man until he knew him, ” and that was the way with Christians. They made mistakes about each other, but these mistakes were rectifying themselves, and things were getting brighter.. He hoped the day would come when error would be done away with. He urged them to unite together. Let Presbyterians Be Presbyterians, and other Churchmen remain In their Churches. Whether they were Roman Catholics or Anglicans, or whatever they were, let them remain in their own Churches and men would respect them. But let them come closer in Christian unity. He hoped the day Would come when the walls of separation would be levelled to the ground! Captain MTnnea was glad to bo present. He had been a Presbyterian for 21 years and only entered the Salvation Army 18 months ago. He had spent very many happy days amongst the Presbyterians. The Temuka people were the best he had been among. The best thing they could do was to rally round their minister, and be united. He next referred to strong drink, and urged upon them to avoid it. The Rev. Mr Cecil said he had intended to scold them a little, bnt was glad the Chairman had relieved him of the task. He was glad to hear they were in such a' prosperous condition as Mr Barclay represented. It was news to him. They certainly appeared happy and prosperous that evening, and he had asked himself the question why they did not maintain the enthusiasm evinced at the tea meeting throughout the year.. Ha told a story of how a wife after having admired a china teapot suggested to her husband that they should live up to it. He would suggest to them to live up to the geniality and enthusiasm of that evening. He heartily trusted they would soon get a clergyman that would do his work in the spirit of his Master. But they must help him. The Minister would require their co-opera-tion ; but they frequently forgot him too much. They ssid, “We pay him for doing his work ; let him do it.” This was not a Christian way of assisting him ; they must do something for their Divine Master, till the day came when, if they deserved it, Ho would welcome them with the words “ Weil done thou faithul servant”.

The speeches were interspersed with solos and musical selections. The choir, with Miss Blyth at the harmonium, sang byms 156, 393, and 363, Moody and Sankey’s collection, very efficiently. Mr Martin (Timaru) sang “ Help me to pray,” and “ He will count His jewelsMr Foster (Timaru) “ The old cathedral,” and “ David before Saul j” Miss Hitch “ Rest,” and “ The snow that husheth allMr Rutland “Lead Thou me on and the Rev. Mr Cecil “ Nazareth,” all of which acquitted themeelres to the entire satisfaction of the audience. Miss McNair sang exceedingly well that beautiful hymn 259 from Moody and Sankey’s, and was accompanied by Miss Blyth, ths chorus being rendered by the choir, with capital effect. Miss McCaskill gave a recitation entitled “ A little girl’s letter to Jesus,” and Master Cooper a recitation entitled “ A feast of blackberries.” Both were loudly applauded. Mr Bilton (of Timaru) accompanied the singing in a very capable manner.

At the close of the programme Mr James Guild proposed a vote of thank* to the ladies who presided at the tea, to tbe speakers, to the Chairman, and to the singers. The motion was seconded by Mr Stewart, and carried unanimously.

The proceedings |catne to a close by the Rev. Chairman pronouncing the benediction.