PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2568, 14 October 1893, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The anniversary gathering of members and adherents of the Presbyterian Church, Temuka, took place on Thursday evening in the Volunteer Hal, Temuka. In spite of the inclement weather there was a capital attendance at the tea, which was of unusual excellence, and given and dispensed by ladies of the congregation. After tea, the seats were rearranged, and the Rev. Mr Dickson took the chair for the public meeting. He opened the meeting with a few remarks, after which a powerful choir, under the leadership of Mr Proudlock, sang two anthems, " The Earth is the Lord," and '• From the Rising of the Sun." Both vfQre excellently rendered, and the laßt named wqs encored,. fysy. ]sr.' KeUy, of Waimate, was then iuvjted to address the meeting, and the rev. gentleman, who was warmly received, expressed his gratification at complying with the request. In |the course of an eloquent and earnest address, he dwelt upon the necessity of cooperation with God in works, physical and spiritual. He pointed out that without E* partnership w jth the Almighty all wcjrks woul4 be fruitless. God yided 'the raw materiji], 1 an's although fifty'puis %'s'ojd, 'for ]ea9t^^

penny yet not one could be made without God. They might till the soil, but God it was who sends the refreshening rains that gave the increase. Although this association might remind them of their dependence, yet it could not but give them a feeling of pride that they were permitted to be His partners. Cooperation applied not only to physical but to spiritual matters. There was at times a tendency to try and do without God. Men, it was said, only asked to feed well and live warm, and did not waDt Christianity. Thev had had the help of Christianity hitherto, and how would they get on without it? It was not enough to have the 6th standard and a policeman. Physically, they could not get on without God, It was a sheer impossibility. He instanced France as a country that had tried to do without God, but how often had the endeavours failed. The whole explanation of history was Bummed up in JJGod's endeavour to get man to work with Him. In the physical part hunger and the necessities of living made people work with Him. Men were daily throwing their lives away bit by bit, through not co-operating with God. If they realised this they would co-operate with their Church. There was much need for work, and the time was short. They wanted more fire. There was plenty of labour, but no zeal, and he urged young people to realise at once what they intend to do with their lives. In conclusion, Mr Kelly wished them God speed in their work, as a Christian congregation. Misses M. and R. Smith sang "He shall fead his flock," and" Come uuto me." The Rev. Mr Dellow sang « The light of the World " The Rev. Mr Todd, of Geraldine, was the next speaker, and selected for his subject " Personal Influence," addressing his remarks to youuger members of the congregation. Persona influence, he described as a subtle power, flowing from each of us over others. It corresponded in some respects to mesmerism, which was power exerted by one over another. This influence largely assisted in the formation of character. Some had more influence than others, although they might not be conscious of it. None could really tell how big a man was in the estimation of God. It was «* duty for each to use his or her position well, for God had sent them unto the world to do a certain work, and no one could do it for them. Influence '. was of two forms, conscious and unconscious. In the one it was exerted intentionally, in the other without knowledge. In their school age they would remember there were always some ( who took a leading part, whilst others , followed, and so there were men who held leading positions, whilst others were j led. Some must perforce take lower places. Tw« things were necessary in connection with conscious influence. First there must be a right aim and noble object, the realisation of the true shaping of a life. As, for instance, St. Paul j whose endeavour was" to live as Christ." Secondly, it was necessary to use their j power in the right way aud to study the character of those to be influenced. It , was not enough to have noble aims only. J Many had a keen desire to do good but lacked common sense in forwarding i them. Unconscious influence was exerted in many ways, from one's own method of life and so forth. As an illustration of unconscious influence he mentioned the case of William Carey, the first missionary to India, who was led to take up the work by noticing upcn a map he had marked for geographical purposes how large an area there was where Christianity was not known. It was not \ always the noblest who exerted most influence. The silen:; unseen forces of nature were the strongest. They mu-t 1 not think themselves irresponsible in this ] matter, and it was a great thing for them < to realise their possession of it. An '

epitaph lately written upon a child's tomb was "It was easier to be good when she was with us," and as that child lived slit must unconsciously have exercised a wonderful influence, bo he begged \ih hearers to so live that their influence might be productive of good to then fellow men. The Bpeaker illustrated hit remarks with apt quotations, and upon concluding waß heartily applauded. Miss Taylor sang " I know that mj Redeemer fiveth," after which the choii Bang" Hosaunain the Highest," and Miss Goodey " Angels ever bright and fair," The Rev. Mr White, of Pleasant Point, said that he often thought he heard a voice calling "Watchman, what of the night/" and the reply "Night still." They had still in their midst drunkenness, impurity, commercial immorality, etc., but he thought he saw indications of better things. This led him t > consider ■*' What is th<} real position of Christianity in modern life V The subject required more time than was at his disposal that that evening, but he woxild deal with it as briefly as possible under brief headings : First, Whatever be the fate of Christianity none of those things put in its place will succeed. Everything tried in place of the glorious old gospel had failed. '■'' Freethought was dead as a social influence. Some people claimed that Christianity wa3 played oat, but they were such as could not know, for they could never have experienced it. Four things might be said of Christianity.—lst " Christianity as a power in the world was more harmonised and less dogmatical than in the past." The friends of religion thought not so much of the squabbler of theologians a 3 to the application of Christian principles 2nd, "It is becoming more rational and, intelligent, and le3s sentimental." He had nothing to say against sentiment in religion, but Christianity must commend itself to the reason of men, and not trusl to emotion. 3rd, "It was becoming more aggressive and le_s pa sive." It was a ll very well to have reasons for devout contemplation, but it was not enough Christianity nowadays ignored false socia distinctions and treated man as man, forcing its way through the slums anc rescuing the perishing. 4fch, "It wai more uuiveirsal and less limited." He rejoicec to believe that the commandment of God was exceeding broad, and that the influence of the gospel was levelling businesi relations, and filling up the interstices o: our lives. He was assured they were no the representatives of a losing cause, bu that Christianity was more flourishing than ever.

Miss Cooper sang " There's no night there." The Rev. Mr Dellow expressed his pleasure at recognising that th() Churohos were coming nearer and fleaaer, and that denominations understood each other better than before. As an instance, li€ mentioned the Minister's Club at Wairaate, where clergy of all denoiniuatiotiE met and discussed their plan of work, etc, They did much good by fraternizing in this way. The great end of the Christian Church was to renovate the world. At the rate missionary orginisations were moving the whole world would socm ha uoverea It was qeyer so active,. There was now a jjoirit of wiitiqgWs to meet, not to discusf differences, but to unite in fighting tht great enemy. In days pa3t the branches of ttye Christian Chuighhad spent/ thoii

old gospel truths were preached. He congratulated the congregation upon the increased attendance and the tone of the meeting, which had been a realisation of his ideal of what a church meeting should be, and he wished every success to the Presbyterian Church.

The Rev. Mr Dickson apologised for the absence of the Rev. Mr Gillam, and expressed his pleasure at seeing so many members of other denominations present. " How lovely are the Messengers," was then sung by the choir, MiBS M. Smith taking the bolo. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the speakers on the motion of Mr D. Ferguson, who in a neat speech referred to their several subjects.

Mr Russell moved a vote of thanks to the ladie3 and to the choir.

The Rev. Mr Kelly moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, after which the doxology was sung, and the meeting terminated.

The members of the church are to be congratulated upon a very enjoyable and and profitable gathering, and also upo> the establishment of a very promising choir.