WILLOWBY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3573, 6 October 1916, Page 7

WILLOWBY.

Methodist Church Anniversary. -

The anniversary services in connection with the ' WiHowby Methodist Church were held on Sunday. "■ Owing to the inclement weather the congregation in the morning, was not so large as usual, but in the evening the church was fairly weli filled., " ' The R«v. G. Frosty of Ashburtqn, officiated in tho "morning, and, preached an eloquent and instructive, sermon from Psalm cxxii., ip. -I was glad when they said unto me, Let us, go up into the house of the Lord.'- 15

The choir, under the leader ship of Mr A. S. Haymau,. pleasingly rendered the anthem ''The, Lord is nigh unto them;" ;: =.-■■'

The evening service was 'taken by the Rev. W. J. Oxbrow, who took for his t-cxt Romans xii., 11 : "Not slothful in business ..."

The offerings, which wore in' aid of the trust funds, were on n liberal scale. On Thursday evening the anniversary ' wa9 further celebrated by a tea mooting in the new church schoolroom, and was well attended- by the people of the district, as wt'lJ as by friends from Ashton, Lowoliffo, Ijagmhor, Ashburton, and Flcminprton.

Tlie tea was laid on three tables, presided over by Mosdames Harding (2), Chapman (2), and Watson, assisted by a number of young ladies, who were kept busy for two hours attending to the neods of thVir patrons.

i:"At 8 b'clodc" n publin uioefcing was held in the church. The Itov. W. J. Oxbrow presided. Mr S. S. Chapman (treasurer the Trust Fund) read the financial statement,: which waa of a very satisfactory nature. It stated that, in addition to paying the ordinary expenses of the church during the year, a new Sunday schoolroom had been erected fit a cost of upwards of £130. This amount had been subscribed, and the room had been opened free of debt. There was in hand a credit balance of £11 Os lid. The treasurer expressed his thankfulness for the success of the year's work, and exhorted the young peoplo especially to take full advantage of the many privileges they enjoyed. , The R«v. W. C. Blair, of, "Wakanui, was the clyef speaker ot' the evening, and delivered a rousing and soulstirring address, on the subject of "Sacrifice." Ho drove home his points by many apt illustrations from history, and showed that the world had benefited" by the self-sacrificing efforts of'its great men, who had. been prepared to suffer and. if need were, to die for the good of their country and of humanity.

During yfche: evening the choir again contributed.: several anthems' in an enjoyable manner.. •"."■ ''

•A comprehensive' vote of thanks was moved by Mr, Harding, and .seconded by Messrs Waison and Lill, to all who had contributed to tho evening's snecess.

The sin/zing-of the National Anthem brought the celebrations to-a close.