Church Anniversary.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 33, 21 August 1883, Page 2

Church Anniversary.

« The Anniversary sermons in connection, with the Primitive Methodist Church were preached on Sunday by the Bev. SGriffith, of Palmerston. Txiey were very impressive and appropriate, and were listened to with much attention by largo congregations, the church in the evening being densely crowded. The annual church soiree took place last erening. A sumptuous tea was provided by the ladies of the congregation, and was patronised by a very numerous company. After tea a largely attended public meeting was hold, presided over by VI r Linton, of Hal combe, in. his customary pleasing manner. Mr J. C. Thompson wag first tailed upon, and read the annual report of the church trust, &c, following up the name with some suitable remarks, in which he spoke commendatory of the Salvatios and Blue Eibbon Armies, which he said were doing a large amount of good. Mr Jenken, the Home missionary of the church, gare a short and earnest address, and spoke of the enormous growth made by Christianity since its first introduction to the British Isles, and the progresi it wa« still making in various parts of the globe, which he urged as encouragement to increased labor for ils circulation. The Eev. 8. Griffith gave a r«ry nefit and impressive speech. He referred to the proposals for the union of the Methodist Churchea in New Zealand, and the printed and circulated report of the united committee which recently sat in Christchurch for the purpose of laying down a basis of the union, and was sanguine that the expectation of that committee, which had beea telegraphed to all the papers — that the first united Conference would be held in 1885 — would be realised. He spoke of what constituted a true Church of Christ, and urged tho necessity, for its prosperity, of more spiritual and active godliness. His address was very pointed, and was delivered in sucli a pleasing and persuasive style, and was evidently much appreciated by the audience. I he Eev. H. M. Murray spoke some very encouraging words to the Primitive Methodist Church of Feilding, which he was pleased to find was in such a prosperous condition. He recommended, more practical religion in all Churches, and said there was often too much talk aad not enough work. The first duty of members of the Church was to support it, and more especially its central institution — the ministry of the Gospel. On the whole, however, it was really wonderful how much ( hrisfan people did iu this matter, though not so much as they might. Some professing < hristians spent more on beer and tobacco than on religion, which was not right. Although a blue ribbouist, he was by no means fanatical in the matter, but would like to see greatdi abstinence fr>m needless^, indulgences among Christian people^^ Another duty of Christians was to study the Word of God, which there was a danger of neglecting in the midst of the activity which characterised the Church at the present time. He concluded by congratulating the congregation on its present prosperity and future prospucta. The Uev. J . Clover made some remarks appropriate to his poHit ion as pastor of the church and congregation. The addresses were interpersed with, selections from Sankey's Hymns by the choir. : The customary votes of thanks to the chairman, speakers, choir, and to the ladies for providing the tea were passed, and with the usual devotions the meeting dispersed.