Church Anniversary

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 29, 21 August 1884, Page 3

Church Anniversary

.The annual soiree in connection with the Feilding Primitive Methodist Church took place oa Tnesday evening. An excellent tea was provided by the ladies of the congregation and full justice was done by the numerous visitors to the many goods things with which the tables were laden. The church was profusely decorated with ferns, evergreens, and what: flowers the season afforded, and presented a very gay appearance. ' After the tea a public meeting was held presided over by Mr R. Linton, of Halcombe, but the attendance at this was not no large as we have seen on former k similar occasions, with which probably the weather had something to do. The proceedings were commenced, and afterwards varied by some excellent singing by the choir, accompanied oa the harmouiuin by Miss Linton. The Chairman in a few well chosen words called upon the Rev J. Clover, whose address was partly statistical, and Lad reference chiefly to matters in connection with the relations existing between tfie church and himself as its pastor. The Rev F, Kellow, in a neat speech, said he would not occupy the time of the meeting, aa there were those present who had come from a distance on purpose to address them, and he would like them to liave full opportunity of doing so. The Rev J. W. Worboise, of Woodville, who had preached the anniversary sermons in the church on the previous Sunday, was then called upon, who commenced by relating a numerous anecdote about his early history as a preacher of the gospel, and made this the foundation of a good and earnest address on the work of evangelization. He urged the duty of every .believer in ( 'hrist to spread by every possible means a knowledge of the gospel. He strongly deprecated indolence in religious matters on the part of members of a church, and advocated earnestness in seeking to bring the blessings of Christianity within the possession others. He advised forethought and pendence in working £or God, and showed the need of this. He added to the force of his remarks generally by some rery telling anecdotal illustrations. The Rev R. S. Bunn, of Palmerston, who tad only arrived in Feilding for the first time by the train that evening, gave in a humorous manner his first impression «o far as he had been able to make any, of what he ityied" this benighted city" of which he had heard so much. He had enquired very affectionately for his way to the church, when some good old lady, God bleRB her, kindly warned him to be careful not to fall into the culvert, and , he did'nt. He was not going to be a platitudinarian that night, I ut for once at any rate would be a latitudinarian. He had no sympathy with a fiddle-faced religion. It we were more happy and cheerful, we should want less medicine. Being merry was better than going to the doctor, and a good hearty laugh was worth seven and sixpence. This gentleman is evidently a very able speaker, and it is to be hoped that while this was his first, it will not be bis last appearance in Feilding. His address, richly spiced as it was by genuine and appropriate Hibernian humour, was warmly appreciated by the audience, who expressed their pleasure by frequent applause. The Rev. H. M. Murray, of the Feilding Presbyterian Church, was well received. He was happy to say he was better acquainted with the people here, and also the culvert, than the previous speaker, and therefore didn't need to be warned of the said danger. Mr Bunn's address had proved that good things could come from Ireland. He himself could not be expected to be so clever as he was a Scotchman. He could, however, prove that even . Mr Bunn was of Scotch descent;. 'Mr Murray's address was chiefly on practical religion. He urged the importance of consistency and circumspection, and preaching the gospel by our lives. Courtesy was also necessary in speaking to others on religious matters. Some people thought the more rude and vulgar they were the more clever. Telling people they were going to hell was not the proper way,, and was calculated to have the reverse effect of what was intended, of which he gave an illustration. Candour and kindness were also needed in Christian' work. He concluded his address by congratulating the Church on its prosperity, and wishing it God's blessing. Votes of thanks to the ladies for proTiding the tea, also to the speakers, the chairman, &c. f concluded what was altogether a very happy-gathering.