Ashurst Notes

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 111, 17 March 1892, Page 3

Ashurst Notes

[from our own correspondent. ] The anniversary services cf the Wesleyan Church were commenced here on Sunday afternoon by the Bey W. Tinsley, of Port Lyttleton, formerly stationed at Palmerston and consequently well known to the Ashurst people. They testified their kindly remembrance of his former ministry among them by filling the church on this occasion. In the evening the service was conducted by the Eev Mr Eeall, and was also well attended. A tea was provided by the ladies of the congregation in the Dramatic Hall, at 6.30 o'clock on Monday ; the tables were well attended. At 7-30 the chair was taken by Mr G. Crichton, and several friends addressed those assembled. Mr Kilford, Treasurer, read out the balance sheet tor the year ending September 30th 1891. After paying £9 Is lOd as their land fund instalment, a balance in hand of £1 10s 8d was shown. This coupled with the fact that the Ashnrst Church Building is now paid for, speaks well for the energy of the committee of management. Mrs Kitchen sang a " Song that reached my Heart," after which Mr Keall spoke at some length on the financial position of the Circuit, showing that during the year £&20 has been subscribed— £soo of which was allocated to the trust and building fund, and £300 for ministerial expenses. The rev. gentleman regretted that bis time had been so much taken up with the various trust properties of the district since his arrival among them, that it had seriously interfered with that important part of a ministers' duty, house-to-house visiting. He could now see his way (things being in working order) to spend niore time among them. He went on to speak of the very excellent Sunday School at Ashurst, which was well supplied with teachers. Miss Crichton sang a pretty little song, " The Gates of the West." Mr Lyon, one of the Sunday School teachers, then spoke, and in referring to ' one part of Mr Keall's speech, said that people should sympathise with their minister, and remember that the circuit work, and study consequent on preaching, left very little time for visiting. Mr Lyon tnade some well-chosen remarks on that part of religious instruction, which is perhaps most important, that of teaching the young, and called upon parents to supplement the teaching of the Sunday School by home influences, remembering that one hour a week only was given publicly to learning.about the Lord Jesus Christ, as against a secular education of the rest of the week. If so much time was required to learn of the things necessary for this life, those relating to eternity (which he described as the true education) should also be brought before the young minds daily. Mrs Kitchen then sang " The

Arrow and the Song" so clearly that every word could be followed. The Bey. Mr Tiusley said he had pleasure in being amongst them once more, and in seeing the advance Ashurst had made since his removal. £100 has been paid off the church. Speaking of the topic of the day, religious education of the young, he said it was daily beiii£ proved that secular education was not all that was required. The advocates of the system claimed that it would elevate the mind, but he quoted many instances of powerful minds that were not elevated by it. In his duty at Port Lyttelton he made regular visits to the prison, and the majority of the prisoners there were proofs that education alone will not elevate the human race ; there must be the restraining and purifying influences of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ hand-in - hand with it. Mr Keall said that his experience among prisoners was exactly the same as that mentioned by his reverend brother, and proves the fallacy of trusting to the education of the head to conquer the heart. After thanking those present for their assistance, and also those outside friends for their help, the doxology was sung and the the benediction pronounced. A coffee supper was given afterwards, the proceeds of which were to be devoted towards fencing the front of the church section.

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