PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2877, 5 October 1895, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual gathering in connection witlx the Temuka Presbyterian Church took place in the Volunteer Hall on Thursday evening. The attendance was excellent, the hall being very comfortably filled. The proceedings took the form of a conversazione. The usual sit-down tea being dispensed with, eatables and refreshing cups of tea were handed round amongst the audience by ladies of ,the congregation, foremost amongst whom were Slesdames Taylor, Paterson, and McOaskill senr., Misses Osbourne, Grant, Taylor, Brown, Cooper, Russell, McCaskill and Matthews, The abundant supplies of provisions were supplied by the ladies, and after refreshments had been handed round twice there was a considerable quantity left. The choir, under • r Proudlock, assisted by friends rendered a number of anthems during the evening in a very creditable manner. Miss Campbell and Miss Taylor sang solos, for which they received well-merited applause. The Rev. Mr Dickson welcomed all present, and congratulated the congregation on the success of their gathering, notwithstanding other attractions, the bmd contest no doubt taking a number away to Timaru. He apologised for the absence of several clergymen who usually were present, other meetings, that they did not know of when they made their own arrangements, keeping them away. He was glad to see substitutes amongst them in the Revs Mr Standage and Farley. Anthem, “ I will give thanks/' choir. The Rev. Mr Farley said he did not find itja very easy thing to make a speech at such a gathering. If he was talking to children he could get along very well. He was very pleased to be present to say a few words. Ho was also pleased to be present to show a bond of good feeling between clergymen, and hoped the friendship would last. He had always got along well with his fellow clergymen in other places. At Tiuwald the Presbyterian clergyman often held services in one of his churches, and he did not see why the Rev. Mr Dickson should not hold his service in the Church of England in Winchester once a mouth instead of going to the Public Hall. There should not be a feeling of opposition in the different churches, and he for one was going to live friendly. Anthem, “In Jewry is God known,” choir.

The Rev. Mr Standage expressed a feeling of pleasure at being present. He appreciated the Presbyterians very much. When ho wanted some good thoughts he got them from books that were written by Presbyterians. Ho was glad to see s « many present. The rev. gentleman spoke at some length on the growing tendency of slaying away from church. He was afraid the good old custom of reading the Bible and family worship was a thing of the past, causing a spirit of indifference amongst the young people. Anthem, “ Cry aloud and shout,” choir. Rov. Mr Barclay said he had to apologise for his presence there that evening. It was usual to apologise for absence, but ho did so for being present. Be was so well known that ho felt it a delicate matter to come so often. He could say a good many things, but would they be appropriated - He congratulated the congregation on the largo gathering ; it was one of the largest ho had soon in the hall. He was very much pleased with the remarks of tho Rev. Mr Farley, and hoped to hoar before long of some kind of interchange mentioned by him. Solo, “ The Lost Chord,” Miss Campbell. An interval of 10 minutes was here granted for refreshments. Chorus, “Then round aboip. tho starry thnwie,” choir. Hole, “My bud in Heaven,’ Miss Taylor. Mr Ferguson proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to tho speakers. Mr •Steven proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies for providing so abundantly and presiding so gracefully that evening. Both the above wore carried by acclamation. Tho Rov. Mr Dickson prop mod a vote of thanks to tho choir. dimrns, “ Hallelujah,” Guur. 'J'ho meeting closed with the benediction.