OPENING OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BEAUMONT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 141, 20 October 1870, Page 6

OPENING OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BEAUMONT.

A soiree in connection with the opening of the Presbyterian Church took place on Friday last. The occasion drew together a very large gathering of the residents in the district for several miles around. The chapel stands on the further- side of the river from here, and is a small hut tasteful wooden edifice, erected by Mr, M^onald, reflecting much credit on the builder. The repast, which was provided gratuitously by the ladies of the district, was most abundant and elegant, and the company, we need not say, showed their heai-ty , appreciation of it. The proprietors of

the punt kindly conveyed those attending from this side free of charge — a favour which deserves acknowledgment, and which, we hope, they may grant on the occasion of the public services which may be held in the church in future. After tea was ended, and the chapel rearranged for the accommodation of the whole audience, there was difficulty in cramming inside all who had j gome, The Rev. Mr, Telford opened the proceedings by giving out the Hundredth Psalm, In his address he congratulated the meeting on the completion of the chapel, and thanked the residents, for the manner in which they had subscribed for it, so that there remained only about ten pounds of debt, of which the greater part, he expected, would be cleared off by the prooeeds of that meeting, He desired to state publicly what had often been stated privately, that the chapel would be placed at the disposal of the residents for a clay school, if they should obtain a teacher for it — the need of a school being strongly felt. In regard to the services which would be conducted there on Sabbaths, he regretted much that he would not be able to preach there so frequently as he should desire. Having charge of a district extending for forty-two miles along the river, from the Fonrteenmile Beach to the Beaumont, and being engaged preaching three times every Sabbath at Benger Burn and the Teviot, the most he could promise at present would be a Sabbath service at the Beaumont once a quarter, and service on week nights more frequently. He would endeavour to secure occasional services from Dr. Copland and from Mr. Ross, of Alexandra. He also desired it to be distinctly understood that the chapel would be at the disposal of the residents for services by any of the Lawrence ministers, if they could be induced to come out for that purpose. Although he was unable to promise more for the adults, he was happy to intimate that the Sabbath School, which had been conducted for a time by Mi . Adam Stevenson in a private house, would be held regularly every Sabbath in the chapel, at two o'clock, and he trusted that parents within reach would send their children to get the benefit of it. Mr. Adam Stevenson then delivered an address on practical religion, which was listened to with much interest. He said that the common question with which they saluted each other on meeting, " How are you?" suggested more seiious thought than merely the smte of their bodily health. Its full meaning, he felt, was only brought out whan it referred to that which formed our true being, our soul. To form a right judgment of the state of our souls, he suggested our applying to it the tests^ which determine the state of our bodies. One of the surest indications was the appetite. When that failed, the body languished. In like manner when the soul felt such an appetite as the Psalmist describes, " How sweet are thy words unto my taste ! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth ! " then it was in a healthy state. Again, our capacity for labour was a test of our bodily health, and so, too, when our soul ran joyfully in the way of God's commandments, and took delight in doing His will, this showed true spiritual health. Rest, too, was a sure indication. When the. labouring man took sound sleep, and was not tossed and troubled, it was a sign that he was in health ; and so, when the soul enjoyed that peace which God gives to his people, and could rest in the Lord and »vait patiently for him, this was a happy indication of true spiritual health. Pie left his hearers to consider in this view the question " How are you 1 " The Rev. Dr. Copland congratulated the residents on their obtaining^place of worship, and complimented the ladies on the liberal and tasteful manner in which they had provided for the enjoyment that evening. He remarked that this was the third place of worship in that wide district at the opening of which he had been present. About three years ago he attended a tea meeting on a similar occasion at the Horse-shoe Bend, and last Sabbath evening he had the satisfaction of preaching in a building newly purchased for the use of the Presbyterian Church on the Teviot. These he considered hopeful signs of the district. The church was the true instrument of civilising society. It had brought our nation to its present condition from the rudest state of barbarism. Csesar, when he landed in Britain, found our forefathers painted savages, delighting in war and bloodshed, and the prey of dark superstition and horrid cruelty. In those nations of the present day, where a kind of civilization existed without true religion, as the Chinese and Japanese, there was underlying all the outward appearance of refinement a stern and relentless cruelty which manifested itself in the utter disregard of human life which distinguished these nations. Religion too, he said, formed a bond of brotherhood among men of the strongest and most enduring kind, The society of Freemasons, he believed, professed to form a universal brotherhood on principles independent of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but he had no faith in it. He had heard indeed some wonderful story which related that in the tumult of battle somewhere, one soldier had his sword at the breast of his foe, and was about to plunge it in, when the doomed man convinced his assailant that he ■vpas a Freemason,

and thereupon (as his assailant belonged to the craft) was let go. Perhaps in such critical circumstances he (the speaker) might wish to be a Freemason. He believed, however, that the only true brotherhood which would bind society together in an affectionate and unselfish manner was that presented by the church of Jesus Christ. Its influence, moreover, extended to the great future on which they must all soon enter, and lasted throughout eternity, He would remind his audience, too, that the church was not for the benefit of the present generation only, but was a nursery for training up the rising generation for the service and enjoyment of God. He pressed on the parents, therefore, to take advantage of the Sabbath school, which would be conducted in the church every Sabbath afternoon. They had themselves enjoyed in their youth at home such advantages, which enabled them to prize the church in a way which they would not otherwise do. Let them be careful to give their children such training in their youth, and they bad God's word for it, that when they were old they would not depart from it. He expressed his regret, in concluding, that he was unable to preach to them on Sabbaths, as his regular services three times every Sabbath put it out of his power to come there without leaving a much larger congregation. He would endeavour to come, however, if any favourable opportunity occurred.

Mr. Hunter proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies for their liberality and kinduess in providing so handsomely for their comfort that evening, which was carried by acclamation.

Mr. Riddell proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman and speakers, which was also cordially agreed to.

During the evening several psalms and paraphrases were sung.

It was stated by the Chairman that Mr. Stenhouse, of Lawrence, had intended to be present, but had, no doubt, been prevented by some unexpected hindrance.