WAIPAWA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1459, 19 October 1872, Page 3

WAIPAWA.

OPENING OF THE NEW METHODIST CHAPEL.

On Sunday last, the piace of worship recently built in Waipawa for the United Methodist Free Church was formally opened. Sermons were preached, morning and evening, by the Rev. D. Sidey, of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Napier—on each occasion io large and attentive congregations. The collections amounted to over ,£lO. The tea meeting was held on Tuesday, in the school-room at which a goodly number of persons were present The tables were presided over by the ladies of the congregation, and the arrangements generally wcie as good as they possibly could be under the disadvantages of limited space and appliances. 0 Alter tea the com \ any adjourned to the chapel. Proceedings commenced at 7 o'clock by praise and prayer- the Rev. H. B. Redstone engaging in the latter. On the motion of the. R"v. R, Taylor, which was carried by acclamation, the chair was taken by Lieut.-Colonel Lambert. The Chaibman expressed the pleasure he felt at assisting on such an occasion. He had injected the building, and considered it strong, chaste, and in all rapedß suitable. He thought great credit was due to the committee and to the builder, and expressed generally his sympathy with the movement. Harmonium Solo, by a lady.

Sacred song—" Watchman," by the choir.

The Rev. R. Tavlor read a report of the position of church affairs. A sum of .£l9l had been collected, and Jg6o more promised. The cost of laud and building was £360. He quite hoped that, at the close of the present meeting, the debt would not exceed j£100; and, to meet this, the ladies were engaged in preparation for a Christmas tree. Choir—" Poland."

The Rev. D. Sidey then addressed the meeting. They had several causes for thankfulness. First, they had a church—beautiful, substantial, and fitted for the purpose. Second, a minister, who had a head, a heart, and, what was equally essential for the work of a country clergyman, a body. Possibly, having accomplished so much, they might be inclined to say, " Let us rest and be thankful. To this lie had no objection if the object of such rest was preparation for work which yet required to be done—such as support of the Ministry, attention to Sabbath schools, clearing otf the Church debt, and working together in unity. The result could not be otherwise than a blessing to themselves, the Church, and posterity. Mr Sidey concluded a deeply interesting address by referring to the children of the congregation and the paramount necessity of watching over their spiritual interests. Choir—" Eternal Mansions."

Mr J. Wood, as one of the visitors, having been called upon to speak, ex pressed his satisfaction at being present on such on occasion, and referred to the advantages, more particularly the temporal advantages, which followed the establishment of a Gospel Ministry in any place. He also enumerated some reasons why he held the Methodist body in high regard—their zeal, the simplicity of their ministrations, and, notably, the firm and almost unanimous stand they had made in favor of temperance. Choir—" How beautiful upon the m on n tains."

The Rev. H. B. Redstone spoke, among other matters, of the great source of success of English-speaking peoples, which was undoubtedly the Bible. He also referred to the future of Ne»v- Zealand, which was destined to be a great country if its people held God and the Bible in the same estimation. He concluded an interesting address by moving a vote of thanks to the ladies who provided the tea (which was carried by acclamation), and by leading an amusing piece of poetry entitled "A cup of good tea." Choir—" Man the life-boat."

The Rev. R. Taylor «poke sic *ome length on the advantages of punctuality in attendance, and other kindred topics. Ho concluded by moving a vote of thanks to the singers and the speakers "The Benediction," by the choir, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman, moved by the Rev. Mr Redstone, teiminated the proceedings. The chapel thus formally opened is a neat building, 40 by 25 feet, studs 14 feet, all built of totara, and we should judge very faithfully built—Mr Phillips being the contractor. It has a handsome ornamental front and a neat belfry. The interior is liued and varnished, and is verv comfortable. It is seated for 120 We wish all success to Mr Taylor in his new church.