Welcome to the Rev. Mr Judkin.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 217, 18 January 1894, Page 2

Welcome to the Rev. Mr Judkin.

A tea meeting was held in the Wesieyan Chapel yesterday evening for the purpose of welcoming to the district the Rev Mr Judkin who has lately arrived from Melbourne to take charge of the Wesleyan circuit. Tea was placed on the table at 6 p.m., and a good number partook of the abundanqe of tempting things which had been provided by the ladies of the congregation. The tables were presided over by Mesdames Bramwell (2), Carthew, Eade, Milson, Simpson and Saywell, and these were assisted by a number of young ladies. The church had been tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens and looked very pretty. The "wants of the inner man " having been attended to, the tables were cleared, and preparations made for the after meeting, which commenced at 8 o'clock, by Hymn No. 512 being sung. The following anthems were nicely sung by the choir during the evening, viz :— " Praise the Lord," "Gome Thou fount of every blessing," " To spread the Light the Saviour comes," Jeeus of Nazareth," and " Hosanna to the Son of God." The Rev Mr Watkin, who was in the chair, in making afew introductory remarks, referred to the progress of the church since 1881, when the Rev Mr Parsonson was in charge of the Feilding and Sandon circuit j but who had been transferred owing to the inability of • the district to support him, and now, after a lapse of years Mr Judkin had come'to reside amongst them., to help them in their work for Christ, and he hoped he would be spared to remain with them for many years. He would *sk Mr Carthew, as the senior Steward* of the Circuit, to address the meeting. Mr Carthew said that it had always been his duty to look after the financial business of the church, and at the end of each quarter they had been out of debt, but now that Mr Judkin' had come to reside with them they had an increased responsibility, and. he hoped that one and all would help willingly, so that at the end of next quarter they might still find themselves clear of debt. When he first came to Feilding — fifteen years ago — the Wesleyans had a claim* here, as theirs was the only denomination in the district, but since then other bodies had stepped in, and the Wesleyans had lost ground, as many families had drifted off into other churches. He was sure every member of the congregation was, like himself, pleased to welcome the Rev. Mr Judkin amongst them, and that all -would do their utmost to make his stay a pleasant one. Mr Bishop, who is one of the heads of the Sandon circuit, said it gave him much pleasure to be present to welcome Mr Judkin. He was sure that gentleman would find much work to be done here, and no doubt the same kind of work as he had to do in Melbourne, and he earnestly hoped that the members of the congregation would give him all the assistance possible in carrying out bis duties. He likened Christian work to farming; sowers were required, and weeds had to be eradicated, and whether Mr Judkin had come amongst them as a sower of good seeds or as an eradicator of weeds he would find plenty of work to do. He hoped he might be a successful worker, and that his works would be blessed. Mr Joe. Dixon, of Bunnythorpe, was also happy to be one to welcome Mr Judkin. He referred to the various duties of a minister, and urged one and all to assist in making Mr Judkin's task a pleasant labour. He thought the enlarging of the church was necessary, and hoped that the congregation would soon be able to accomplish this, but at the same time they should be careful, and endeavor to keep out of debt. The Rev. Mr Clement spoke for some time, and confined himself chiefly to the duties of a minister, and also the duties of the congregation. He was glad to see another minister amongst them, as there was plenty of work for them all to do. He had not himself been here many months, but hoped Mr Judkin would have as favourable an impression of Feilding as he had. He would wish for Mr Judkin a career of happiness, and a service of usefulness and power while in New Zealand. Mr Jas. Bo water, senr., of Sandon, wat|glad to see Mr Judkin, and hoped that the congregation would see and not lose him, as they had Mr Parsonson in former years. The Chu.rch sorely needed enlarging but he thought they might easily build a new one. He narrated what they had been able to achieve in Sandon. The Rev. Mr Judkin stated that he would not say much to them then as it was late, and they would see more of him later on. He desired most heartily to thank the chairman and all kind friends for their kind welcome. He would like to explain that he was still under the Victorian Conference, and he could not say for certain how loug he would be allowed to remain amongst them, but hoped it would be for many years. Many, no doubt, were wondering what he would be — well, it was the same with himself — but it depended to a great extent on the congregation as to how a minister turned out. He impressed on all the necessity of regular attendance at church, and co-operation in working for God ; because unless the congregation worked heart and soul with the preacher his efforts were worth nothing at all. He desired, by God's help, to be a true friend to the congregation, and hoped they would assist him to be so. The Rev. Mr Watkins referred to the many good qualities of Mr Judkin, and thought he was in every way suited to the work before him.. He only hoped the congregation woald-treat their new minister as he (Mr Watkins) had,been_ treated. He thanked those gentlemen. ~ ~ who had addressed them, and also the choir for their beautiful music. A very hearty vote of thanks wa£ proposed by Mr Carty, seconded by Mr Brent, and carried unanimously, "To all the ladies who had assisted towards, the success of the tea meetipg." After the choir hftd supg the Doxology, and the Benediction had been pronounced, Mr Watkin informed those •■ present that Mr Judkin would preach on I Sunday next, morning and evening, and M the gathering then dispersed.