TEA MEETING AT GLADSTONE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1802, 1 October 1884, Page 2

TEA MEETING AT GLADSTONE.

(From our own correspondent.)

Monday was a gala day with the Presbyterians of Gladstone, the occasion being a social tea-menting held in the school-house in the evening. Tea was announced to be ready by 4.30 p.m., and shortly after that time the tables were crowded by a happy company of guests, fully prepared to show their appreciation of the hospitality of their fair hostess. Nearly every resident in the neighborhood, including a few Maories, made his or her appearance on the festive scone, and when three buggy loads of Masterton friends arrived the little soiiooiroom was taxed to its utmost capacity to afford sitting room, The tea-tables were provided and presided over by the following ladies, viz.: Mesdames McLauchlun, Grant, Miller, Sexton, and the Misses McLauchhiij and a more sumptuous spread is seldom seen anywhere. Tea over and the tables cleared, the people assembled for the after meeting, filling every seat and every corner of stand* tug room. A hymn having been sung, the Rev. L. M. Isitt engaged in prayer and the meeting having been thus opened, the Kev. David Pulton apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr Buchanan, M.H.R., who fully intended to be present and take the chair. Mr Fulton then proposed that Mr Duncan McGregor preside over the meeting, which was carried unanimously, Mr McGregor, who, on rising, was received with applause, thunketl the meeting for the honor conferred upon him. He said that before addressing them he had to apologise for the absence of the Rev, 0. S. Ogc, who intended to be with them that evening, but had unfortunately missed the morning train. He was "pleased, however, to tell them that the Rev. L. M, Isitt had very kindly consented, almost at the last moment, to fill Mr Ogg's place. The chairman then proceeded to deliver a short but most excellent address, dealing chiefly with the questions of finance and organisation of churches.

The Chairman then introduced the Rey. L, M, Isitt to the Gladstone people, and called on him to address them. Mr Isitt, on rising, was received very heartily, and delivered a most amusing, and at the same time instructive, address on ''Love" Mr Isitt was in capital form, and carried his audience with him in a way to satisfy any orator. When the meeting was over I heard some one say, " 1 would like to hear that man again." At this stage of the meeting a collection was takeu up, and resulted in adding four or five pounds to the church "funds. The following Committee was also appointed to manage the church affairs: —Messrs McLaucblin, Kennedy, Miller, Strang, and Grant. The Chairman next called on Mr Young, agent of the Government Insurance Department, who was present, to address the meeting, which he did in a humorous and pleasant manner, and with great acceptance to the audience. The last speech was delivered by the Rev. David Fulton, who touched on various matters of interest to the congregation there and testified to the pleasure it gave him to find them attending in such large numbers, and so regularly, to his Sabbath administrating among them. He also expressed the hope that they would soon have a harmonium to help them in tho music of the sanctuary, £l2 being already collected towards that object! The usual votes of thanks to the ladies who provided the tea, the speakers, the chairman, 4c., were then proposed and carried unanimously, and a most enjoyable evening brought to a close by the singing of a hymn, and the benediction by the pastor.