PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 16, 25 October 1871, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE.

A very successful soiree was held last night at the Home Institute, in connection with the Presbyterian Church on the Thames. There were at least 300 people present, who seemed thoroughly to appreciate the good things provided for them by the ladies. The following ladies presided at the tea tables :—Mrs. James Hill, Mesdames Corlett and Macdanald, Mrs. Philp, Mrs. Unthank, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Sinclair, Mrs. Brodie, Mrs. Rountree, Mrs. McLevey, Miss Ferguson, the Misses Kay, and Miss McCallar. The tables were nicely decorated, and amply furnished with varieties of edibles suited to the occasion. Every one seemed thoroughly to enjoy themselves, and ample justice was done to the good things set before them. After tea the meeting adjourned to St. James Church, which was quite crowded. .The Rev. J. Hill occupied the chair. Proceedings were commenced by the singing of the second paraphrase, “ O God of Bethel, by whose hand.” The Chairman then addressed the meeting, saying that he would endeavour to be as concise as possible, but there was one topic especially which he would like to explain thoroughly, namely, the state of the building fund. The church was opened last January with a soiiee, at which he stated that there was a debt of £lB5. Of that £BS would bo cleared off almost immediately, partly by the proceeds of the soiree, partly by monies promised, but not yet received, which would leave a debt of £IOO, for which the contractor was willing to wait a year. He (the chairman) was happy to state that though only nine months had passed, they had succeeded in raising £lB5, which not only completed the Church but left them a small balance in hand. This was greatly owing to the generosity of two gentlemen well known to them Mr Crombie, who gave £75, and Mr Robert Sommeiville, who built them a handsome pulpit at a cost of £45. The following was a statement of the receipts and expenditure : Receipts.—Sabbath collection at opening of the Church £2O, proceeds of soiree at opening of the Church £27, subscriptions XiOUV loo,giii/ xium iur. o. It. oiuiuui», Auckland, £75, gift from Mr. R. Somerville, Auckland, £45. Total £668 15s. ~ Expenditure.—Purcharse of frontage of the site £35, deeds and registration £B, plau of Church originally intended £lO, filling up ground in front of Church £9 16s, contract price of building £450. extras £l4 15s, alterations £l6 2s Bd, fencing £4O ss, painting £36, pulpit £45, on hand £3 16s 4d. Total £668 15s. This showed them to be out of debt, and with a small balance in hand. He assured those present that he had to beg very hard, and going about begging was a thing he did not like, for his natural modesty rendered it very disagreeable to him. (A laugh.) Tlie Presbyterian Church in this Province was not as it was in Otago, where care was taken in the early times of the Colony, to provide well for it, but still their position was upon the whole a satisfactory one. Nevertheless there existed a necessity for money. He was not going into the question of instrumental music in church, upon which opinions greatly differed, but they must all agree in one thing —that if they had an instrument at all it ought to be of the very best and most suitable kind, which was undoubtedly an organ. He wanted some Caledonia* man to give them an organ, or perhaps two or. three would join together for the purpose. There was another point to which he must allude, viz., the want of a second Presby-

terian Minister, for there was plenty of work for two and too much for one, if he attended to his duties properly, and this want he hoped to see soon supplied. (Cheers.) At the conclusion of his address, the rev. gentleman called upon the choir, who gave in a very effective manner the anthem, “The Earth is the Lord’s.”

Recitation and song, “ With Verdure Clad,” Mrs. Mitchell. This was exquisitely rendered, and received well-merited applause. The Chairman then called upon the Rev. Mr. Buller, who, on coming forward, said it gave him much satisfaction to be present on this occasion, and he must congratulate the Presbyterian congregation upon the favourable condition of their circumstances, which did them credit, and it did credit to Mr. Hill, who said he had had to beg very hard ; but Mr. Hill was not to be looked upon as a besrgar in the matter, but rather as one who was simply pointing out their duty to the members of his flock in urging them to give their subscriptions. And for his tact and snccess in the matter, Mr. Hill deserves their thanks and admiration. Now, he had a proposition to make that he (Mr. Buller) should engage the valuable services of Mr. Hill (laughter), for the Presbyterian body were out of debt, which the Wesleyan body was not, and he hoped Mr. Hill would accept the fraternal proposal made. (Laughter). He was glad to see members of different denominations present to-night. (Cheers). He wished all were united to work together in the one good work of spreading Christ’s gospel, without any claiming infallibility. The pedestal of truth was one, although it had many sides, and there was no monopoly possessed by any sect in the worship of God. The.prosperity and com merce of the Thames were improving. The winter was passing away and summer was nigh at hand. He was glad to see the churches of other denominations flourish. He was greatly pleased to see a Church of England rising like a Phoenix from the ashes of the old one, and he was glad to see the neat and appropriate places of worship of the Baptists, Primitive Methodists and others. He was glad to hear that there was a probability of Mr Hill soon having another colleague to assist him, for it was evident that he had more to do than he could properly attend to, and his congregation had evidently been grumbling about it. Well let them grumble (laughter). The mingling together of persons of different denominations could not be otherwise than productive of mutual good feeling. Song, Mr Wright, “If with all your hearts.”

The Rev. S. Wilson next addressed the meeting, congratulating those present upon the satisfactory state of their affairs. He said it was a fine sight to see such an audience nresent on such an occasion. (Cheers). This he understood to be an anniversary, not in connection with the building, but in connection with the coming amongst them of their minister, Mr. Hill; and although he did not undervalue the building, he thought the living minister who broke the Bread of Life to his flock was of more importance. Printing and the circulation of books and even newspapers had done much for the cause of religion, but there was no influence so powerful as the voice of the living minister, to spread abroad the sacred truths of the Gospel. The Presbyterian Church was the Church of his fathers, and he had a great reverence for it; and, but for one point upon which he differed from them, he would have joined them. Sacred song, “ But thou didst not leave my soul in hell,” Mrs. Robson. The Rev. Mr. Butland next addressed the meeting, and expressed the pleasure he felt at being present, and how much gratified he had been with the warm reception which had been given him, coming here as a stranger. He believed in all denominations of Christians working together harmoniously but laying no claim to infallibility. Song by Mrs. Mitchell, “ 0 Rest in the Lord.”

Part song, “ Ave Sanctissima,” choir. Votes of thanks to the ladies, the speakers, the chairman, and the choir, were given, and the choir then sang “ Hallelujah” in a very impressive manner, after which the Rev Mr. Hill pronounced the benediction, and the large as6einblago dispersed.