NEWLANDS ANNIVERSARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1016, 4 December 1883, Page 2

NEWLANDS ANNIVERSARY.

Newlands chapel waa nevermore crowded .hin it was on Monday night, when the annual tea meeting was held. Despite the inclemency of the weather, the farmers with their wives and families mustered strongly from Wakanui, Seatield and Newlands The tea was served in relays. 'lhe following ladies presided :

Mcadames Moore, Lloyd, Grayburn, Lill, Aston, Robinson and Height. The after meeting was a great success. The platform was filled by well-known speakers, the laymen being well represented. Mr W. T. Lill presided, and in the course of bis speech said that he was glad to see so many old faces, as well as new ones. The elements had been agai st them this year, but they never d spaired. They would be addressed by some excellent speakers, therefore he would not detain them. As chairman he would see to it that the speakers behaved themselves. (Laughter ) Mr Lloyd then read the report, 0 which was of a very encouraging cha-acter. In his speech he referred to the past history of the Church at Nowlands : how they sowed in faith, and now they were reaping in joy. Of course they were still in debt L 175, but over against that they had the present building and five acres of ground. An effort would ha made in future to reduce the debt. He concluded an earnest address by exhorting them to be one in heart to help those who were the leaders in the work. Mr Buxton followed with a characteristic address. It was the first time he had been amongst the Methodists in this County of Ashburton. He was a Wedeyan of the old school, very like the Primitives. He liked the Primitives because they did not despise lay help. Ministers were useful, but very expensive. Some of them were too polished for him. He was a rough stone, but lately he had seen how God was using the weak things of this world to confound the mighty He encouraged them to go on, and summed up an animated address by wishing them every success. Mr J. Scott took for his subject “ Modern Scepticism.” The spirit of doubt was abroad. Christians grew fearful for the Ark of God. There was a soul of good in scepticism. Truth is one, therefore let no man’s heart fail. They wanted t ■ cultivate a larger charity, and to have more confidence in their manhood. lie was pleased to see so large a gathering, it repaid him for his long walk of six miles to be present. Mr Shingieton, of Dunedin, in response to the Chairman made a few remarks. He had been told that he was a “ Captain” in the Salvation Army, but that was not true, he was simply a private. He had no ambition for honors so high. Mr Leadley took for his text the word “Wanted ” —a word often to be met with in the newspapers. He thought they were too hard on the ministers. They needed our prayers. Mr J. Nixcn delivered a highly amusing address, interspersed with rare bits of wisdom. He twitted some of the former speakers with shirking the question. Was the ministry an expensive luxury ? He thought not. If Cod could do without their v.isdoin He could do without their ignorance An educated ministry was not to be despised. During the evening several selections were sung by the choir ; Mrs Nixon c ntributing with exquisite sweetness “ My Mother’s Bible”; Mrs Vaughan, “ Meet Mo ” very tastefully ; and Miss J imi's, “ Wash me in His Blood,” this solo be ng well rendered for one so young Mr Maidens in proposing a vote of thanks to the ladies drew attention to the fact that during the year the chapel had been painted and other improvements effected. This had been the work of the ladies. (Laughter) They did not paint the chapel, but they collected the money to pay for it. Mr Grayburn seconded this motion, which was carried with great cheering. It will be seen from the above that our friends, the fanners at Newlanda, had a grand field night at their gathering, and we wish them a good harvest.— [Communic atkd. ]