BLUE SPUR

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 182, 3 August 1871, Page 5

BLUE SPUR

(Ftom our own Correspondent.)

Juty 31st. " The great event of the week has bean the opening of the new Presbyterian Church. The opening of a church planted in the wilderness is ■at all times, /md under all circumstances, -a source 'of joy to the Christian, whatever denomination has the 4iappiness to open a church fur the service of the living. Gqd. It is so - ranch" fallow ground broken up, which may Hb in' his infinite mercy bless }<h*9 culture thereof, and grant an abundant increase. It was only on the 25fch AJpril that the parnest and devoted minister, the Rev. Dr. Copland, called a meeting of the concjregation to hear from fhim that he had initiated a movement 1 for building a church, and that he (the doctor,) had on that day, and the day fpre.viously, got promises to 'the extent of LIOO. The "Committee of the church took up the matter warmly. Plan 1 * were prepared, and Mr. A. 4 Cormack was the successful tenderer at a cost of somewiinf imder L 220.' The subscribers were prompt with their subscriptions, and the crjllecj tors were energetic, which euaUledf-tb.4 olbligiiig 4¥3:tsurey of the Church. Committee to make matters smooth with) the builder ; in fact, everything waa pointedly done to the driving of the last oiail. The grand result being a neat and substantial church, made to accommodate 120 persona. It ia built according to thq specifications, and to the satisfaction o£ all concerned, and within the time specified. Great praise is due to the contractor for the manner in which he has executed the work entrusted to him. A neat'platform is erected with a rail and bookltoard

in front, in place of the old box-looking pulpit. The church is lighted by three windows on each side, and there is a porch placed over the main entrance having a. door al each side, whieh.oan he open.d so as to accommodate the weather. The design is modern Tuapekian, to distinguish it fromaueient Tu.ipekian, which the old inhabitants will remtm'jer was of the tentorium order.

The opening services took placo on Sabbath last, when two Rermons were preached by the Rev. Dr. Copland — in the afternoon -to a very large congregation, and again in the eveniug. The Rev. Mr. Stuart had intended to have been present, and to preached one of the the sermons, but for the lamented decease of one of his office-bearers, Mr. John Gillies. I have heard, however, that Mr. Stuart may be expected at the Spur to give a lecture on behalf of the church fund, a balance of something over £40 still remaining unpaid. The collections of last Sabhath amounted to £7 7s 6d, which will reduce the amount to a little over L3O.

The annual meeting of stibscribers to the public library was announced to be held on Monday evening, but lapsed fur the want of public attendance.