Yarra Aboriginal Mission Anniversary Meeting

YARRA ABORIGINAL MISSION ANNIVERSARY MEETING 1847

[Port Phillip Gazette and Settler's Journal]

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YARRA ABORIGINAL MISSION

The anniversary meeting of the Yarra Aboriginal Mission was held yesterday evening in the Scots Church, which was filled to overflowing. The chair was taken by his Worship the Mayor, Henry Moor Esq. and the children went through their exercises in a very creditable manner, and showed that in the course of the year they had made considerable proficiency in reading, writing, and singing. On the platform we observed a considerable number of our leading citizens, amongst whom were:-

Councillors James Frederick Palmer, James Stewart Johnston, and Thomas McCombie, Rev. Messrs. Andrew Mitchell Ramsay, Samuel Hewlett, Joseph Ankers Marsden and Robert Colquhon Flockart, Messrs. Joseph Raleigh, Langlands, Sidney Stephen, John Lush and several other gentlemen. The Chairman briefly explained the object of the meeting, after which the children to show their progress in singing, then went through the following Hymn with no little effect:-

125. MOUNT CALVARY. C: M

( "Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people, O visit me with thy salvation." Psalm 106:4)

Soon as my youthful lips can speak
Their feeble prayer to thee,
Oh, let my heart thy favour seek,
Dear Lord, remember me.

From every sin that wounds the heart,
May I be taught to flee;
Oh, bid them all from me depart,
Dear Lord, remember me.

When, with life's heavy load oppressed,
I bend with trembling knee;
Then give my suffering spirit rest,
Dear Lord, remember me.

Oh, let me on the bed of death,
Thy great salvation see;
And cry, with my expiring breath,
Dear Lord, remember me.
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("Port Phillip Gazette and Settlers' Journal" - Melbourne - 26 May 1847)

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Source of Image: National Library of Australia.

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Rev. Andrew Mitchell Ramsay

Rev. Samuel Hewlett

Rev. Joseph Ankers Marsden

Rev. Robert Colquhon Flockart

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