THE PROTESTANT ALLIANCE SOIREE.

Thames Star, Volume III, Issue 1683, 26 May 1874, Page 2

THE PROTESTANT ALLIANCE SOIREE.

The Protestant Alliance held their soiree at St. George's Hall last evening ; the Hall was well filled and looked gay. with decorations. After tea the Eev. Mr Hill was voted to the chair. The rev. gentleman said he was not there to say anything against insurance companies or other friendly societies than the'one now met. There had been much good done by Life Insurance Companies, and it would be well if every man on this field held a policy of assurance. The Protestant Alliance Society was not only a benefit society well managed with economy and. efficient officers, but it was also a safeguard for civil and religious liberty, and in the natural course of things was bound to occupy a prominent position, not in New Zealand alone, but throughout the world. The Protest ant Alliance was inaugurated in Australia — in Victoria and .New South Wales. In Victoria there are about 18,000 members, and in New South Wales about the same number. There are two lodges in New Zealand, one on the Thames numbering 180 members, and pne at Dunedin. There are /our points in the constitution of this society worthy of notice. The first is the money advantage , its members receive in case of sickness by a small weekly payment, and the considerable sum guaranteed if death to a member should occur. Comparison of ihe other benefit societies with the Protestant Alliance places the, latter in a most favorable -light,/not only in a monetary point of'view, but in the kind, brotherly feeling which existed between its members; and their fellow men. Every member of this society comes tinder a solemn obligation to protect a brother's character when reviled— to sympathise with ..them in their trials and troubles, anc' 1 to give them tho succour they require. One point in tbe constitution of the Protestant Alliance Society is loyalty—undisguised loyalty to the throne of Great Britain and Ireland. (Cheers.) All governments which maintain peace and order succeed, and the English Government secure this. The Protestant Alliance desires that the colonies should belong to and remain under British rule, and that Protestant succession to the Britishthrone is a wise provision. This was demanded by the facts in the history of the British people ; others may not think so, but that is the opinion of Protestants, hence in the emblems of this Society the crown is meant to represent the British crown, an.d alllbdges are closed with "God Save the Queen." ' The crown rests on a bible— the Word of God, which was a book that should be placed in the hands of all men. By next mail power wiil.be delegated from Australia to open other lodges in different parts of New Zealand. The rev. gentleman, after a long and eloquent address, sat down amid st loud and prolonged cheers. Some songs and duets were admirably given by some ladies present -also by some of the gentlemen. ■

The Rev. James McKoc then addressed the meeting; he said that he -had great pleasure in being present, arid could congratulate the members of the Alliance on their success .They offered many benefits to their members. It was thought that •there was something in the society that was antagonistic to their .neighbours, ib was not so; it supported the sick and dis-

tressed, and deserved tho sympathy of all proicsfcants. It would also defend their rights against the Church of Home which, if unchecked,, would again bring about the inquisition and all the horrors of the l()th oeniury. *Tho proceedings were a^ain diversified by some iLOst agreeable fingin:;. The Kov. Messrs Butliuid and T. Utivics then addressed tho meeting in opt and appropriate lerm I*,1*, when after numerous votes of thanks had been pa-sod Ihe meeting Ir>rminatcd.