WESLEYAN SOIREE AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3079, 9 April 1892, Page 2

WESLEYAN SOIREE AT CAMBRIDGE.

The annual soiree in connection with St. Paul's Wesleyan Church, Cambridge, was held in the Public Hall on Tuesday evenins. It was also a valedictory meeting to the Rev. C. H. Garland, it being held on the eve of his departure to Wanganui, to which circuit he has been appointed by the Conference. Mr Garland is perhaps the most popular minister that has ever sojourned in Cambridge, and it was a foregone conclusion that the house would be a "bumper one," and so it proved, far the hall was literally crammed. Those who presided at the tea tables found their capabilities taxed to the uttermost; however, in course of time they met the heavy demand 1 * made upon the commissariat department, and satisfied everyone. The ladies who undertook this onerous portion of the evening's entertainment were: Mesdames Clark, Taylor, Booth, Roberts and Walker, and Mis 3 Caley. Miss Nixon and several other young ladies looked after a double table, provided by the bachelors, and Mrs Martin Butler presided at a subscription table. The tea tables having been cleared away, and the seats arranged for the concert, Mr Joseph Gane was voted to the chair. On his right hand sat the guest of the evening (Rev. C. H. Garland), and Archdeacon Willis, and on his left the Revs. J. Thomas (of Hamilton) and Vy. Evans, and Mr R. Reynolds. Ihe Chairman, in a few terse remarks, said he was gratified to see so many present to give a cordial farewell to their esteemed pastor, whom they were reluctantly parting with. Although they had assembled to wish Mr Garland farewell, he trusted it would not

be a final one, but that in future years they might be permitted to have him amongst them again. The programme was then proceeded with, and wasas follows-.—Piano duett " Marche Hongroise," Misses Archer ; song, " White Wings," Miss Wainwright; speech, Archdeacon Willis; song, "Spangles," Miss W. Walker; song, " Will He Come," Miss Priestly; flute solo. " Ave Maria," Mr Burn - Murdoch. This was encored, and the "Cossack Dance " substituted ; reading, " Pomona s "Visit to an Earl," Mr Priestly; song, "The River of Years," Mrs C. Hunter ; speech, the Rev. James Thomas ; piano solo, "The Mocking Bird," Miss M. Nixon; song, "Dolly's Revenge, Miss Wainwright (encored, and replaced with "Tib for Tat"); presentation of testimonial to the Rev. C. H. Garland, Mr R. Reynolds ; trio, " Das Veilcheu, voice, violin, and flute respectively by Miss Priestley, Mrs Pilcher, and Mr BurnMurdoch ; recitation, " Swallowing a Mouse," Mr C. Roberts; soug, "Anchored," Mr C. Hunter; speech, Rev. W. Evans. It is needless to say the pianoforte items were well rendered, the names of the performers being a sufficient guarantee in that respect. The vocalists also gave satisfaction, despite the heated atmosphere of the hall and the nervousness from which some of them suffered. Miss Priestly narrowly escaped an encore for her rendering of " Will He Come." In this and also in the trio, "Das Veilcheu,"she acquitted herself well—in fact, better than on any previous occasion. Miss Wainwright was suffering from a relaxed throat, and it was with great difficulty that she sang at all, but she nevertheless secured ail encore for the naive manner in which she rendered "Dolly's Revenge." Mr Burn-Murdock is now an established favourite with Cambridge audiences. His besb effort was in the trio ; in the solo the flute being descidedlv too sharp. Mrs Piloher played the violin very nicely, but the instrument being muted rendered it rather too subdued for a full hall. The

realing and recitation given respectively by Messr* Priestly and Roberts were well ! Bendered and very amusing, Some of the speeches ware lengthy and desultory, but the Rev. W. Evans was equal to the occasion and greatly amused the audience. In presenting the testimonial to Mr Garland, Mr Reynolds said it was a mark of respect and good will from all denominations, and many were dissatisfied that they had not been allowed to contribute towards it; indeed three times the amount of the money required could have been raised. It would serve to remind him (Mr Garland) and his estimable wife of the many loving friends they had left behind them in the Waikato, who were deeply grieved to have to bid him farewell. The address was beautifully illuminated and suitably framed. It wai as follows :—" Rev. C. H. Garland. Dear Sir,—The congregations worshipping in the Wesleyan churches of the Cambridge Circuit desire to express their sense of the good work you have done in this district during the three years of your pastorate. The liberal Christian sentiments you hold, and the straight outspoken deliverances you have made—have not only broadened the views of those advanced in life—but have also attracted ta the services numbers of young people whose future you have brightened with teachings that will prove a lasting benefit. Our hearty love and approval will follow you and your beloved partner in life, and we pray and believe that God's blessing will go with you to your new circuit. Please accept this token of esteem from friends who will always remember with gratitude your labours nmong them.—Joseph Gane, Richard Reynold--, Circuit Stewards; John H. Priestley, Circuit Secretary.'' In replying to Mr Reynolds, Mr Garland said there was an old properb " that nothing sboull be said of the dead but that which is good," and he thought they were treating him as a dead man in that respect, for they had said nothing but what was good of him. Unfortunately he knew it was not all true, although he believed they thought it was, hut he knew his short-comings and felt he had not deserved all the laudatory things that had been said of him. He thanked them from the bottom of hiß heart for the kindly expressions of good will they had bestowed upon him and his wife, and assured them he should always look back with pleasure upon the happy days he had spent in Cambridge. , , The usual votes of thanks were passed, and the meeting was closed by the singing I of the National Anthem.