PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1911, 10 February 1885, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual gathering of the members 'of' the Masterton Presbyterian Church was held yesterday. A substantial tea was partaken of prior to the evening meeting and full justice was done to the good things provided, Trays,were provided by Mesdames R. Cockburn, J. Morris, F. Feist, Chamberlain, J. McGregor, D. McGregor, Alexander, Fulton, and Misses . Prince, Thompson and McKenzio. The lads and lasses looked thoroughly happy and the elder people fully participated in their pleasure. Af tertlie seats in tiie churcli building had been rearranged the people began to flock in in numbers, evidently knowing atreatwas in store for them. The chair was occupied by the Rev D. Fulton, supported on the right by the Revs Patterson and Isitt, and 011 the left by tho Revs Ohas, Murrey, Rogers and Dawson,' The proceedings wore opened with praise and prayer and the Chairman referred to the many things that had transpired ■ since they had met there last for the purpose of making their annual statement of the progress of the work, spiritually and financially. The Seorotary would bo called upon to read the report and after it was dealt with they would have the more pleasing task of listening to the gentlemon beside him. They were fortunate in having six Bishops ranged before them on the platform for their especial pleasure and benefit (cheers) and he would at once get through the first part of the business by calling upon the Secretary for his report. Mr E. Feist then read the following report Your Committee have again the pleasure to lay before the congregation the annual report and balance sheet for the year 1884. From the balance shoot it will be seen that the income and expenditure for last year has been about equal, still leaving a debtor balance about the same as at tho end of 1883 viz, £lO9 18b lOd. With an increasing congregation wo are glad to state that we are making additions to our list of subscribers to the Sustentation Fund, and also feel confident that others will bo found comin» forward to assist us in this direction, The attendance at the services has been exceedingly encouraging and it will be a matter for tho congregation at no distant date to make provisjoh fqr a}} jncjeaget} accomodation,' The congregations" at the Opaki and Gladstone have also very much improved, the school house at Gladstone being scarcely large enough to contain the numbers that havo assembled. At tho Opaki during the year a neat and useful church has been erected for the use of the congregation there, which will be found a beneficial addition to that increasing neighbourhood. Through the liberal assistance of a member of this congregation wo have secured a valuable addition to our church property in obtaining near to the Manse a paddock for the use of tho minister. Mr R. Cockburn has lent the money for this object. In conclusion wo would mention another matter .which we feel satisfied will call forth expressions of gratitude from this congregation to the Great Head of the church for the large additions which havo boon mado to our churcli membership during the year, no less than fifty persons having come forward to join the church. Mr Feist said there being so much to get through he would not detain them with any remarks, but would mpvo that the report and balance-sheet as read bo adopted. Mr Holdaway seconded tho motion and paid a high tribute to their pastor. The Chairman then called upon an old and tried friend, tho Rev. Mr Paterson, to address the meeting, who immediately rose and responded by an able resume of the history of the Church of Scotland. He spoke very earnestly of his faith in its teachings, and that its system was tho nearest approach to the apostolic doctrines and the teachings of Christ, He urged upon parents the necessity and desirability of bringing up their children in the paths of religion, as they would always feel its benefit through life, How many he said had withstood temptation through tho aid of those pious principles instilled into them in their youth? Religion was a safe-guard against gambling, profligacy, and the many vices to which youth was prone. He spoke with pride of the mighty men whose names shone in the annals of the history of their church, and drew a vivid picture of what a true Presbyterian should be. He said that what the Chairman had remarked was right; viz. there were six bishops on the platform that night. A bishop was an overseer of the Church, and the presbyters at

Ephesus wero called bishops,' and thero was no such thing as a bishop of bishops except Jesus Christ, All were on an equality as office bearers of tho Church. (Cheers). He next referred to the two reformations.;..;. .

. The .Rev. Charles Murjay next addressed the meeting. "He apologised for his inability to be with them on Wednesday last.; He informed them that he was about to proceed to the New a missionary with his young .wife, amWie knew he would have • their 'sympathy in the undertaking he was ..about to enter upon, The islands of the ;ft T ew Hebrides consisted'of'a group of'3l" small islands, the inhabitants being naturally of a kind, peaceful disposition, but their nature, had been altered into a _ distrustful and revengeful kind Trom "the cruel and treacherous conduct-of the- white people, , who had come in ships and kidnaps# many of them, and destroyed and wa§9 war. on the. homes .that were once so peaceful. He gave a yery .interesting account.of the . mission, work and the isolation of the missionary life there. He concluded a,, very interesting' address by appealing to all sympathises present to aid the cause'of Christ lf>4Wpiding a helping hand to the work now going on in that direction. He sat down amidst considerable cheering, and the opportunity was'then taken to send round the collection plate. Whilst this interesting proceeding was going on, Mr Paterson took the opportunity-to throw out a hint to the ladies to make up a mission box of clothing and goods of alluseful sorts. The Chairman stated that such a thing had already been started and Mrs Fulton would willingly accept • of any donation towards the object up to the middle of the following week. .

The Rev L. M. Isitt who was cheered on rising, said he did. not mean to detain them long.as it was. late,..but' as he was shortly leaving, he would, .ask Mr Fulton to exchange pulpits to. gixe him the opportunity , of. a■. .parting - address, • If there were , any there ..wfe had out of curiosity been betrayed intfcgping to hear the freethought lecturer on.Sunday,ha would say to them that it/was easynifr. such men as Ivo at one shilling a heaJflf - try and undo the work that huLbeetf ' done by missionaries througlJHi the world. He would remind them thatoveiy settler in New Zealand owed 'his present homo comforts and freedom, from danger to such self-sacrificing pioneers as Mr Murray—(cheers). ■ /•' Tho Rev Mr Dawson, of- Canterbury, and tho Rev Mr Rogors, of- tho Hutt, afterwards addressed the meeting, and a vote of thanks to the friends on the platform, the ladies who had contributed to tho tea, and the others who had assisted to make tho meeting a success, was'carried by acclammation. }