ANNIVERSARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1100, 15 November 1883, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY.

The most enthusiastic meeting which has yet been held in connection with the local Primitive Methodist Church took place last evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The building was crowded and the catering, wiiich was in the hands of Mr Thos. Taylor, reflected the greatest credit on that gentleman. The following jladies presided at the tables :—Mesdames Nixon, Tresize, Yaughan, Hooper, Scowan, Bevan, Dailey, and the Misses Steel, Hooper, and Ashworth. The after meeting was presided overby Mr I. Scott, who remarked that spiritual progress had been made during the past year. Christianity was the mightiest power for good in the world. He eulogised the Salvation Army though he did not agree with them on points of doctrine. The Rev J. Nixon reviewed the past year’s work, and referred to the earnestness displayed by the members in attending the week night services. Mr Sawle was very glad to be present. tie congratulated them on the the efforts put forth, and thanked God that the old Gospel had lost none of its virtue and blessedness. He showed in an able speech the hollowness of “ Freethought,” and predicted the overthrow of every system opposed to Christianity. The Rev J. Sharp was the next speaker. He delivered a humorous address, bristling with anecdotes and common sense. The rev gentleman is a great favorite with the Ashburton Methodists, he having

laborers with “ Cuffee,” and they had to 1 sink to the level of an inferior race. It the steps taken forty years ago to add the islands of the Pacific to the Empire had been followed the result would have been beneficent to all concerned. New Zealand, with the Australialn colonies, had given up that been their first minister. The Rev A. M. Beattie had no prepared speech but read some extracts from Spurgeon’s “John Ploughman.” The musical arrangements were under the superintendence of Mr Savage and Miss TCidd. The choruses contributed were —

“ Rejoice in the Lord,” “ Come unto Me,” and “ Behold I stand at the door.” Mrs Vaughan sang “He was despised” with deep feeling. Miss Kidd rendered very sweetly “ He wipes away the tear from every eye.” The solo “ Angela ever bright and fair” by Mrs Nixon was a fine piece of singing, her pure intonation and brilliant expression had scope in this high-class solo. One of the scholars sang a hymn very creditably. Votes of thanks with the pronouncing of the benediction, brought one of the happiest meetings of the year to a close.