BLUE SPUR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 168, 27 April 1871, Page 5

BLUE SPUR.

(From our Own Correspondent.)

It is a common adage that " there is a tide in the affairs of man, which, if taken at the flood leads on to fortune." And if in men why not in communities and churches. The Presbyterians hero have for years had it in their minds to build a church, which would be specially set apart for the worship of God, according to the faith of their fathers ; but still no action has taken place until now— when circumstances have forced the adoption of steps in the matter. True we have had the school to worship in, but even with the recent addition made to it the school has grown inconveniently small, or the congregation has felt the* necessity of extending their bounds ; besides, as Dr. Copland remarked in his opening address at a meeting on Tuesday evening, it would not be creditable in a large and influential body like the Presbyterians of the Spur, to seek to worship in a government building ; besides, we had no opportunity of gathering our children together for religious instruction in a sabbath school, and it was both reasonable and proper that we should give a preference for our views in church matters, and to impress upon the minds of the Presbyterian children those institutions and forms of worship which are held sacred by us as Presbyterians. The time however to build a church has been thought by the worthy minister and by the Presbytei'ian body to be the present, and a meeting was held as aforesaid, on Tuesday evening last, when most of the leading Presbyterians were present, and it would be unpardonable in me to omit to say that there were also many ladies present. (Well, we shall reserve their services until the oiiening.) Dr. Copland presided, and stated that even in the hurried manner in which he had goiie round, only in two days, he had promises to the amount of over a hundred pounds, and he would now leave it with the committee to take furthtr action in the matter. A conversation here arose as to the amount proposed to be expended upon a church, the numher to seat, the site, and other matters which would have the attention of the committee. Mr. Gilbert Ralston, in ordertotest the feeling of the meeting, proposed that we should make an effort to build a church, but that we should not commence until Aye had hooked a sum to the amount of £150. Seconded by Air. Samuel White, and carried unanimously. Several names were added to the list, making the amount to reach the handsome sum of £117 0 0, and this in two days. The secretary, Mr. M'Lelland, was instructed to prepare lists for several members of the committee, who promised to give in a account of their proceedings on Monday evening next, when another meeting of the committee ami friends is to take place. It is fully expected that by Monday evening three-fourths of the amount (t'2oo) will be subscribed. Mi 1 . M'Lelland thought that tho friends at Lawrence would make up the difference. As this congregation behaved in a very haiidsome manner to the elm 'eh there in the liquidation of the debt, and in i s entire extinction, in fact, thoy mad jan ..s ur oiico th t h Ip would be forchconmrr lov.a whfi wo .should bnild. Messrs. French and M'Lelland we i e appointed to visit Lawrence on Saturday.