WESLEY CHURCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1740, 4 May 1906, Page 3

WESLEY CHURCH.

WELCOME TO REV, C. GRIFFIN s AND MRS GRIFFIN.

Hl'tiSWtora was a crowded attendance at the H^4 ea u\y Churoh last evening on the oooa HV 0 off ihe welcome social‘'aocordad to the ■iqjv. C. Griffin and Mrs Qtiffij, the gatherML,g beiDg not only representative of the Ht. Methodist church, but also of all other ■jdenominations. His-Worsbip the Mayor ■•presided, and as usual made a most excel-J H lent obairman ■ ' TUe pc„ce«dings opened with the hymn, ■ r/'Alt people ibao on earih do dwell,” fol Hlowed by the Lord’s prayer and an organ Heolo by Mr G. East.

■ In extending a hearty welcome to the » v. Griffia, she Mayor said that 'he ft (come wee tinged witn a lictile reg-et. on ti Sof the circumstances uoder whiob G mot had arrived in their midst d 1 ramemhixod the Rev- G. Houn- h O had endeared himself to th- c n- ti ■ legation and pnblio, and whose sudden p Hrtenrae they deeply regretted. The Rev. w ■SfcnTsell had done a good work and C M,roved himself an ardent Christian. Hav- n Hiog said this he (the Mayor) had pleasure c offering a hearty welcome to the new £1 Hpastor comiDg amongst them, and he hoped b his work would bo attended o the utmost benefit, not only to the b HWesley Church' I ' congregation, bun to the V e oommunity. He hoped the Churoh I ■would share in the growth of the place, s K ai ] that there would be an overflowing d coac h to empty pews, and he hoped the d would strive to support their J Hia Worship concluded by d the Rev. 0. Griffin and Mrs p every sucobbs in the important t ■work they were taking up in Gisborne, e Applause.) „ t , a Mr Goldsmith gave an excellent render- i: of the solo, “ Eternal Rqst/'’ the num- a boiog much appreciated, a'id Mrs t who was in splendid voioa, i

Mr E. Yacdley, repro'.onting 8t i Church, in the couise of an exappropriate speech, welcomed \e Rev. C. U.iffi i. He had pleasant re- ■ 'notions of the rev. gentleman, having ■ Jftjp face him some fifteen years previwbflQ h 0 h9Q a ( ,a ovet t 0 him the lady that was to be his wife. What ■ had seen of Mr Griffia ha deemed him be a real spiritual man, one who would the plaia truths of the Gospel, and a word wherever ii was possible. Miss Hav/kins gave a most sympathet'O of “The Soul’s Awakening,” Hteoaiving the haarty plaudits of the audiAflate solo was contributed by Mr with much success. Rsv. D. Parry made an excellent coog adulating tha VTesley oanon seouriog the sorvicss of the Gciffia and Mrs Griffia Mr Parry upon the importance of the work of minister aud the naed for encourageand support from members of a ■ congregation. It was not the great heroes 0 r great statesmen, but tha groat preaobambassadors, who had moved the world and carried it forward from one stage of moral and spiritual education to 1 another. Ho hopad Mr Griffin would a crowdod ohureb, so that they would have to stretch out and make it as ■I broad as the Baptist Church. (Applause.) ma o xtend9d to his friend tha right hand 0 , ministarial sympathy, friendship, and affection. (Applauro), Miss Aitkou. a visitor to Gisborne, saog i« The Liok D.viuo ” in a most pleasing manner. On*, t? W nha'tnrton oxDressod ploa-

ItfOV. U. >v. wuo..oi»-u r. Bute at being pressnt to offer a weloome to tbo Rev. C. Griffin. In doing so bo could not refrain from making reforenco to the late Rev. G. Houneell, wboeo memory ho was sure was ohermhed by tbs oongrega tion. It had fall, n to his lot to be with Mr Hounsell when he breathed hia last, and he had a!so to convoy the sad news to Mrs Hounsell. D fferenC ministers bad ihoir own peouliar oharaoioristtes and gifts, eaoh having a mission to perform. He sinoerely hoped that Mr Griffin's woik would be atteoded with succsss, blessed . o God, resu'tiug in benefit not only to 9 Wesley ooogregatioo, but tho whole nmunity. (Applause.) i t J. East saDg " Oh, for tho Wings of J&ve," the number being much apSuded. Captain Slattery, on behalf of the Sal•HP®*oo A-* l3o ?’ welcoming tbe visitor, Stressed the hope their relationship would be of the most pleasant and of benefit to the community at large. He desired that as a Christian chucoh they should be more desperately in earnest in

BOUU'U uo ujv»« -"“r j order to draw people to Christ. They were living in a prosperous town and district one wbioh had a wonderful future, and he wanted to Bee the work of God in keeping with the progress they were makDg Mrs Shierlaw sang " Life’s Lullaby ” with excellent effect. ' Mr A. Spence, on behalf of the Weekly Congregation of the district, welcomed the k

f Rev. Griffin and.Mre G.-iffin to the diotriot. , „ _.„ On rising to reply, the Itov Griffin was I warmly applauded. Ho said that some times vvhon ho was starting a sermon ho I found ii very diflioult jnei from ft simp c passage in God’s word to condense into what he oonsiderod a reasonable time for a sermon all that he wantod to say. Hs did not boliovo in long sormous. The longer ho lived in making sermons he strove vory hard to put Ml that ho had to ' say into as few words as possiblo. But if he found it hard in the ease referred to, how much harder was it for him to reply to all that had bro.i said that evening. Continuing, Mr Griffin ark lowledgodl the kindness of the Mayor in taking lho ohair, aod making tho remarks ho had marie that ovening. Since his arrival in Gisborno ho had everywhoro boon impressed

I with the goodness of tho people, and ho had alntvly mot many old friends. Ho was a Methodist bred and bom, but ho would nevertheless always try to be a Christian first and a Methodist after. Ho was impressed with tho welcome from members of other denominaI tions, which feelings ho most cordially reoiprooatod. After making sympathetic reference to tbe death of tho Rev. G. Hounaell, tho Rev. Griffia said that each one bad to perform bis work in his own I .ray. aod he would do so. Ho a*ksd tho I congregation to aid him to the uttnos*, and to always remember that although a minister ho was also a mao, one 1 ke them-

selves, liable to make mistakes. Ho would I also share with them in tboir joys and j sorrows, and do bis utmost to help both old aud young. The prospeots of the Methodist Church in Gisborne ho deemoi to be vory bright, and ho hoped with the assistance of tho congregation, to main it wh it it ought to b?, one of tbe best Churobos in Zealand But whilst they were Methodists, they should always endeavor to prove themselves oitizans, aod work for one another’s good. On behalf of his wife, family, and him-olf, ho thai ktd Ihe audienoo for the cordial welcome to Gisborno, which they had re-

ceived, An adjournment was thin made to the soheoiroom, where a very pleasant hour I was spent. The building was crowded, and tho committee of ladies having charge of the refreshments had a very busy time. Ao excellent spread was provided, and tho many good thiogs supplied were done full justice to. Before the gathering dispersed, the Rev. Griffia thanked all those who had contributed towards the eyeniog's programme, and on the motion of tho Mayor, the visitors present oarried a hearty vote of thanks to tbe Church for the entertainment thev had reoeived. Mr C. Eist, who presided at the orgsn during the eveoiog, is deserving of much praise for the exoellenoe of the musioal

portion of the programme.