ST. SAVIOUR'S PARISH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2393, 1 September 1892, Page 2

ST. SAVIOUR'S PARISH, TEMUKA.

RECEPTION SOCIAL TO THE REV. W. E. GILLAM. The Rev. W. E. Gillani (the newlyappainted incumbent of the parish of Ternuka) was most warmly received at a social gathering in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening, when he vras tendered a " Welcome Social" by the parishioners. The hall was very nicely decorated for the occasion, Mr T. Gunnion contributing some beautiful tree-ferns and Mr J. T. M. Hayhurst furnishing from his conservatories at Green Hayes some magnificent pot plants and exotica. The decorative arrangements devolved upon Mr E. C. Dann, who is to be congratulated upon the general effect. Following a time-worn custom the proceedings took the place of a tea and public gathering. The former was entrusted to Mr D. McCaskill, who on this-occasion added considerably to his reputation as a caterer. The seating arrangements for the same were very good, five tables in all beiug provided. They were placed under the charge of the following ladies: —First: Mesdames Hayhurst, Ashwell, Aspinall, and Miss Nante3; second: Mrs Pilbrow, and the Misses Pilbrow (3) ; third: Mrs Pinckney, and Misses Macpherson and Cox (2) ; fourth (a bachelors' special table) : Misses E. and A. Erwood, Langridge, and Timson ; fifth : Mrs Dann and Miss Guy. The tea was well attended, but the wet weather certainly kept away a number of those who would under more favorable auspices have put in an appearance. After lea a public meeting was held at which Mr J. Talbot consented to preside. Proceedings commenced with a musical selection by Miss Nantes, which was artistically rendered, after which M* Rutland contributed a song. Mr Talbot delivered a brief introductory address, and then invited the Rev. T. A. Hamilton to deliver an address. The Mr Mr Hamilton, who was warmly received,referred to the pleasure he felt in welcoming Mr Gillam to the parish he (the speaker) had lately vacated. He was sure there were warm hearts and heads to welcome him, and although there might be some who might think that he (the speaker) ought not to have left them, he could only remind them of the old motto " Forget and Forgive." If any there felt disposed to forget him he could assure them he could not forget Temuka, where he had spent nine and a half happy years. He had additional pleasure in welcoming Mr Gillam because he (the latter) had succeeded him at Ross, and Okairto, and he felt it an honour that one of the most eloquent preachers in the diocese should have been selected to follow in his footsteps. Half of a clergyman's influence arose from his pulpib utterances, and he trusted Mr Gillam would be able to extend the influence which his sermons would excite. Mr Hamilton then referred to the time of his arrival in the district. The church was hopelessly in debt, so much so that the advisability of closing it wasj mooted. Now he was pleased to know that by a vigorous effort the only debt (that upon the Sunday School) could be wiped out in a year or so. In conclusion he urged upon his hearers the necessity in an age of scepticism of rallying round their clergyman, who was the exponent to them of truth and faith. Mr Hamilton's remarks were loudly applauded. The next speaker was the Rev. Mr Woollass, who in most kindly terms welcomed Mr Gillam to the parish. He felt that he should be able to work most cordially with him, and recognised many grounds of sympathy in the work upon which tiey were engaged, although there might be no necessityfor organic union. In the work of the Master the system • of denominationalism perhaps assisted, especially if the adherents to various systems could present a common front to the enemy. A phalanx so constituted must carry weight, and eventually overcome, but ho would point out th.it everything must not be left to the clergy. la some branches a layman could do much, and their efforts should be strongly put forth. They must all be workers in the vineyard, and thus arriving at a spirit of oneness, they would realise the highest form of socialism, a working together for Christ. In conclusion he wished the newly - appointed incumbent a hearty welcome and a prosperous stay in his new parish. (Applause) Mrs Hayhurst, who was accompanied by Miss Nantes, then sang " The garden of sleep '' in such a manner that her song was re-demanded. The request was not complied with. Mr Smith sang a song in good style, after which The Rev. J. Preston, delivered in his kindly and sympathetic manner, a brief address of welcome to the new incumbent. Mr Preston referred to the early days of his own curacy at Temuka, and sketched in graphio stylo its appearance then. Now all things were changed, but the spirit of the people remained and it was only loCt for them to uphold the right doctrines, and they would remain a hippy ailurnel community. Personally I\q never felt any difficulty in co-working; with ministers of other demoninations, and ho was sure Mr Gillam would nst. All that was wanted was that they should stand together, and combat the evils of freethought, etc., which threatened to overwhelm or weaken the stronghold of their Church, He had pleasure in welcoming Mr Gillani, because he (the speaker), was sure his clerical brother had Christ in his heart, and all. he wanted was the assistance of his parishioners iu the work he had bef are him. The, Roy. Mr Gillam then saug, very feelingly, «At the Ferry," for which he was loudly applauded. The Rev. Mr Dickson after a fW preliminary remarks spoke at some length on the subject of " Charity," referring t, Q jti not In ita abstract form of relieving tli<> poor and needy, but in the broader sense 0 f extending a helping 'lliud to all willing to help themselves. Nor to help the drones, for that was not true charity. Of this principle there was an exemplification in an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic, which depcted a naked child, with heart isi hand, feediug honey to wingless beo-t—wingless as typic.il of the lame, halt, and blind, the naked child as a typj of innocence and trustfulness tie refeiTud to St. Paul's word 3 regarding ehuvity as enduring all things, and of all Christian virtue;? being the greatest. He spoke also at length upon the subject of trade disturbances, and drow from such topics a picture of what would result from an exercise of the truest form of charity. Let them all do what thoy could to ameliorate, tho condition of their fellow men. There was nothing that paid like charity. If they had mora of it there would be less criticism of a man's actions. The Rev. Mr Dickson's remarks, which are necessarily much condensed, were loudly applauded. The next speaker, the Rev. Mr Dellow, nfter a few words of welcomo to the new incumbent, proceeded in general manner to allude to the difficulties entailed, own

a new comer to the pariah—the little troubles with the choir and singing and so forth, but he welcomed Mr Gil lam as an acquisition to the musical section of the community, and prophesied for him a pleasant career, for he had entered the ministry from the vVesleyan branch of the Church, a step the speaker considered which reflected great credit upon his /trainers. In the course of his address Mr Dellow suggested a method of cooperation amongst the clergy which he thought would do good, namely, to hold united evangelistic services in the hall on Sunday evenings. He was convinced this would draw in large numbers who did noo attend other services. The Eev. T. A. Hamilton then sang « Anchored," and Mr J. McOaskili " Old Simon the Cellarer," both of which were applauded. The Rev. Mr Gillam, who was loudly applauded on rising, referred in happy terniß to the cordial reception he had received from all he had met since entering the parish, and also to the kindly welcome extended to him that night. He felt it an honor to succeed Mr Hamilton a third time. Upon the first occasion he took his place at Ross. There he found Mr Hamilton characterised amongst the diggers as a •' white man," in other words, one of whom it might be said " write me down as a man who tried to do his duty." He felt that a considerable responsibility devolved upon him as the successor of Mr Hamilton. It would be difficult to please the parishioners perhaps as a body, but he meant to do his best. He trusted Mr Hamilton would continue to visit them often, for there could be no jealousy between them. He regretted Mrs Gillam's absence from the gathering; she waß detained owing to ill health, but he was sure when she was able to receive them that they would acknowledge that she was indeed his better half. Mr Gillam referred in terms of respect and sadness to the death of Archdeacon Dudley, with whom he had been associated for some years. He had at Rangiora to take up a cure formerly carried on by the Archdeacon —a wealthy man—and had at first doubts as to how he could carry out the duties imposed upon him. He found, however, that his efforts were warmly responded to, and his stay at Rangiora was on the whole a pleasant one. Into the reason of his leaving he should not enter, but he rereminded his hearers that he had not sought a position in their parish. He had been nominated and had accepted, and he hoped with their co-operation that his ministry might be a successful one. He was advised by then churchwardens that there was plenty of work to do. Well, he was willing to work, and intended to stay, but he liked to work in co-operation with others. Mr Gillam then referred to the various branches of Church work. He expressed his pleasure at seeing so comfortable a parsonage, but hoped there would soon be a better church. He was not quite satisfied to continue the Bible Class at the State School on Mr Hamilton's lines, but had an idea of arranging another system of Biblical instruction if his brother ministers would co-operate. He was willing to act with them also on the temperance question, but it must be upon the line 3 of the Church Temperance Union. He was not a prohibitionist, but believed that the law of Christ's Kingdom was one of restraint. Mr Gillam closed his remarks with a few words respecting district visiting and expressed a hope that all would bear with him and assist him in his ministrations in the future. Mr Gillam then proposed a vote of thanks to all who had assisted at the gathering, and the meeting terminated with the singing of the National Anthem.