THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 452, 19 November 1880, Page 2

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

(00MMUNI C A T E D .)

The anniversary sermons in connection with tho Congregational Church, Akaroa, were preached on Sunday by the Rev H. Williams, of Christchurch, to an appreciative audience. In the morning the rev. gentleman preached on " Waiting to be gracious," Isa. xxx. 18 ; in the afternoon a scholars' service was held : subject, "God hears," Gen. xxi. 17 ; and in the. evening the subject was "The man, Christ Jesus," Isa. xxxii. 2.

The tea meeting was held on Tuesday. The church was nicely decorated with ferns and flowers, anil the tables were bountifully provided, and presided at, by tbe ladies of the congregation. A company of friends came over from Le Bon's Bay, and the church was filled to overflowing during tho public meeting.

Mr W. Penlington (Mayor) occupied the chair, and in appropriate terms expressed his pleasure at presiding at any meeting which had for its object the moral and religious welfare of the people. He hoped the meeting would be productive of increasing harmony anil good feeling among the inhabitants of the bays.

Mr Bai'nett (\vlio has charge of tho congregation) presentod a brief report, whi--h showed that their efforts had not been in vain, and that an increasing interest was taken in the services. The financial statement showed that though £50 had been expended on repairs, the debt which now existed amounted to £172, showing a regular and satisfactory reduction.

Mr Recce, of Le Bun's i'ny, spoke on scattering seeds of kindness, and dwelt on the desirability of each Church doing its own Avork. Wo go forth like soAvers: the seed is influenced either for good or bad. We may sow with the tongue with Christian activities, and the influence of daily life. God pays His servants with present satisfaction, and there will be a final settlement by-and-by. Tho speaker exhorted his hearers to ask themselves what influ-

ences they A\*ere,scattering,

The Rev H. Williams in pleasant terms referred to the favorable impressions his visit lud given him both of the place and the people. Their Avork in that neighborhood Avas simply that of preaching the everlasting Gospel. The great idea of a Congregational Church was loyalty to Jesus Christ, and the acceptance of the Testament as a rule of life. No creed Avas imposed, an:J therefore Christians of every evangelical denomination might gather there Avithout a compromise of anything they held to be truth. There Avas Avork for all of them to do in extending the Gospel in tho bays Avherc no church was near, as well as in oHicr places. No root of bitterness must spring up among them, but their union must be that of faith in our Lord, and all other things must be minor. They A\ r otild find the Gospel in the hymn beginning—

Eternal light! eternal light! Hoav pure that soul must be When,placed within thy searching sight It shrinks not, but with calm delight Can live and gaze on thee.

The stones had been gathered up, such as intemperance, ignorance, and carelessness in Avorship. They must give attention to their psalmody. Christianity has the might i-st minds of modern Europe on its side, and young men should remember such minds as tho Cabinets of England of both Administrations ; and they Avould be able to meet the impudent and heartless assaults sometimes made on Christian men with brains too shalloAV to comprehend, and hearts too wicked to receive it. The education or the district schools was necessarily secular. Woe to tho common Aveal if the young people Avere clever and godless! The. responsibility of teaching religion remained with the parent and the Church. The rev. speaker concluded with exhorting to enthusiasm in Christian work, which included the elements of enterprise, faith, and unction ; and after variously illustrating each point, predicted a useful and successful result for the work they had in hand.

Mr Morey offered a feAV practical remarks on Christian kindness, and especially addressed himself to the importance of Christian work among the young.

During the evening the choir tendered several selected pieces under Mr Hay6e!d ; Miss S. Checkly sang very nicely, with violin accompaniment; and Mr McGregor recited " Vital Spark."

Mr Barnett proposed, and Mr Checkly seconded, votes of thanks to the Mayor and

Liters; and a very enjoyable meeting as concluded with the Benediction.