OPENING OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1789, 22 December 1883, Page 2

OPENING OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT TE AWAMUTU.

Til X Presbyterian Clnucl) was opened last Sunday by the Key Mr Bruce, of Onehunga. There was a veiy huge congiegation, members of all denominations attending, fully 110 being piesent. The icy. gentleman pieachod a most impiessive soininn from Zaehaiiah VI, Aeises 11 and 12. At the close of the scivice a collection amounting to ovei £10 was made in aid of the building fund. On Tuesday escnniy a public meeting was held in tlie chinch, the chair bang occupied by the lesident cloigynian, the Itev Mr Neville. Tn opening the pioceednigs, (which began with a hymn by the choir and piayer by the [lev. Mi JJiuce) the chanm.m conyiafciilafced the congiegation upon the success which had clowned their efFoits to build a church of their own. The sum obtained fiom all soiuces amounted to £208, some odd shillings; the cost of building the clnucli, including aiclntect's fee, was £310, lea\mg a balance of only a little over €10 due on the building. He acknowledged the indebtedness of the congregation to the Wesloyau body for the use of their chinch before this one was built, and spoke in high terms of their assistance, and also for ha\ ing no sei - vice on Sunday morning so as to enable members of their chin eh to attend the opening service. Dining the evening addiosses weie delivered by the Revs. Mi Evans of Cainbudge, Mi Dean of To Awamutu, and Mr Bruce. Tho following is the musical programme: — Anthem, "Thine is the (Hoi y," choir; solo, "He Shall Feed His Flock" (fiom the Messiah), Mi, Benge ; solo, "Pie Wipes the Tear fiom E\crv Eye," Mr C. Hunter ; anthem, chou, " Incline Thine Eai ;" solo, " Angols evei Bright and Fair," Miss Hunter ; milo, " designation," Mr (i. Hunter ; solo, " Cou.sider the Lillies," Mis Andiew ; chon, Cliiistma-) carol; holo, "Evc'.s LainenUiUon," Miss Hunter ; .solo, " Passing Bell," Mr 0. Hunter; choir, anthem, "In Jowiy is God Known." Mi&s Mandeno piesided at the harmonium, and played tho accompaniments with skill and taste. The piogwunme being finished, the 1 chairman thanked the audience for tlicii attendance, nnd called for a well desci ved vote of thanks to Miss Mandono, who has taken a gieat deal of tumble to make the musical part of the piogiaminc what it ceitamly wa*, a success. This was earned most heaitily, and also a vote of thanks to the leveiencl gentlemen who addressed the meeting. The Rev. Mi Biuce will pi each again on Sunday ne\t at 3 p.m. The weather being fine about 150 people were piesont. All thoioughly cnioyed the evening's entci tainmen t. It could not well bo otherwise, as the music was excellent. Mis Bongo's icndeiingof, " He Shall Feed His Flock," " Eve's Lamentation " by MLss Huntoi, and " Consider the LiHies" by Mis Andiew, being much api)ieciated, especially the l.itk'i. The Messi-, Huntei s tl ug \ety nicely. Indeed 1 nevei heaul Mi Cleoige Hunter sing better. His rendering of " Kesignatiou "v> as particulaily good. Tho chairman expressed a hope that we '-hall have the pleasuie befoie long of haung a suuilai musical tieat, a wish in which 1 am sine all heaitily joined. The benediction, pionounced by the Rev. Mr Evans, bi ought the meeting to a close. — (Own Couespondent.)