St. James' Presbyterian Church.
ANNUAL SOIREE. A highly successful soiree to celebrate the anniversary of St. James' Presbyterian Church was held in the Academy of Music last evening. The ball was spread with an array of good things which, however, Boon diminished before the attacks of rows of eaters. Ai'ter tea the tables were cleared away, and the following' clergymen look seats on the platform :—The Rev. S. J. Neil], the Itev. Mr Carrick (of St. Andrew's, Auckland), the Rev. It. Laishley, and the Key. Mr Watbin. The pastor of the Church occupied the Chair. la his opening remarks the Chairman expressed much pleasure at beinu present at another anniversary of St. James. In his remarks he would be brief, as he considered himself merely a preface to the words of wisdom that were to follow. They were fortunate in having fine weather, aud in seeing so many kind And sympathetic} faces around them. They were happy to have with them the Rev. Mr Carrick, pastor of St. Andrew's, which was the oldest church in this island. The speaker also referred to the presence of the other ministers, and explained it was their custom as a church to make their annual soiree a purely social gathering—their annual meeting at which their annual report was read being an entirely different concern. He refer red in a happy njanner to the fact that next year would be leap year, and he hoped before next anniversary some — nay, iriany* who were now trembling on the balance would have settled down for better or for worse.
The Choir: anthem, "Sing, 0 Heavens." The fiev Mr Carrick, on coming forward, was received with hearty applause. He said the coming year would he leap year, 1, and matters were expected to take a decided start. He would like to see the wish of the last speaker fulfilled, but he hoped no one would make a leap in the dark. (Laughter): The meeting of this evening was no retrograde one in comparison with last year's anniversary. Ifc would bear favorable comparison with it in point of the numbers present. Sometime ago there appeared a very suspicious-looking anecdote iv one of the newspapers. A certain meeting at which only two were present was described in the journal referred to as having been largo and respectable. Some one questioned the editor, and he" asking the reporter was told that it was true there were only two present, himself and another gentleman. He was large and the other was respectable, and so it was with the present meeting. The, lecturer then proceeded to deliver an address on "Influence," referring especially to the necessity of getting theyouth tinctured with Christ luiity when they would be less liable to he afi'ected by the tide of infidelity which now swept over the world. He also adverted to the necessity of a combination of Christian influence. The many divisions in the Christian Church gave the worldling room to say " When you have settled your differences then come to me." la conclusion he said though he would uot like to see Auckland depopulated to see the Thames flourishing he hoped they would soon have a return of commercial prosperity, and also that tho spirit would be infused which dignifies a people. (Applause). The Eev. Mr Laishley delivered a short but interesting address, taking as the text for his remarks the words.of a Persian proverb, " A stone that is fit for a wall is not left in the road," nuaning that merit would not go unrewarded. As examples he related anecdotes of Heyne, the German scholar, who struggled on with kit studies in the most abject poverty ; and of Falissy, the French philosopher and potter. Mrs Torrens sang " O Paradiso " with great verve and sweetness. It was, we believe, the lady's debut, and we have no doubt but that her services will frequently be sought for at entertainments of a similar character to that of last night.
The Ec?. Mr Watkin took for the subject of hi* remarks " International Exhibitions," speaking of the benefits derirable from them. In conclusion, he reoited io a rich brogue an aeconot of
wliul. an Irishman saw at the Crystal Palace.
Alter an anthem by Ihe Choir, an intermission of five minutes took place. The following was the-progrumme of the afterpart :—Part soug (choir), " Merrily the time- glides by;" "Life on the Ocean VVov«," Mr P. Ferguson; "Bonnie' Hills of Scotland," Miss A. Hamilton ; recitation, Master Reid; "See that my grave is kept groen," Miss M. Clarke; "Nil Desperandum," Mr It. ii. McGregor; " Caller Ou," Miss j Margt. Clarke ; " Grandfather's Clock," \ Mr liobertson; " Jessie's Dream," Mrs j J. M. Mennie ; " O, the Queen of Night ' is rising," Choir. Tha accompaniment! to the solos were played by Misses Nicol (of Onekuaga), Ginn, Clarke, and M. A. Ferguson ; while Mr J. Grigg played the accompaniments to the anthems and part songs. Tiie singing of (lie ".National Anthem " concluded the proceedings.
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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3388, 31 October 1879, Page 2
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827St. James' Presbyterian Church. Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3388, 31 October 1879, Page 2
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