TE KUITI METHODIST CHURCH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 748, 24 February 1915, Page 2

TE KUITI METHODIST CHURCH.

FOUNDATION STONE LAID. A very pleasing function took place at the Methodist property on the Esplanade on Thursday, when the foundation stones of a new church were laid, in brilliant weather. The ceremony commenced at 3 o'clock, a good company being present. Ths Rev. Percy Battey presided, and was supported on the platform by the chairman of the South Auckland Methodist Synoj, the Rev. G. W. J. Spence, the Mayor and Mayoress of Te Kuiti, Mr and Mrs C. K. Wilson, Revs. J. Olphert and F. M. Beattie, and Crs G. S. James and G. Elliott. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. C. Caughey. J. H. Gunson, Geo. Winstone, and Rev. C. H. Laws, 8.A., of Auckland, and the Rev. C. Houchen and the Rev. Father Finn, Te Kuiti.

The proceedings were opened with a hymn, after which Rev. P. M. Beattie read the Scripture lesson, Psalms 125, 126, 127, and Rev. J. Olphert offered prayer. The chairman then presented the financial statement as follows: Total proposed expenditure on church and fittings, and section 1 acre, £llO5 —towards this amount there is already in ,hand in cash and promises £436 Hs, £550 is provided for by loan, leaving £ll9 still to be raised before contract is completed. The hon. architect, Mr G. S. James, then presented the Mayor an 1 Rev. Spence with a mallet each, and they proceeded to lay the stones, which are very handsome marble tablets, about 16in by 24in, and are suitably inscribed After declaring them "well and truly laid," both gentlemen addressed .the gathering. Mr Spence, in the course of his remarks, said he was glad to be present at this historic event. It was a good thiijg to see churches rising in new districts. The church stood for the cultivation of character; it helped men and women to mould a soul. It reminded them of other and better things than material wealth and personal acquisition. He was glad that this was a Methodi3t Church, and that here would be proclaimed distinctive Methodist doctrines: Man' 3 need of redemption, God's provision for that need, conscious and definite acceptance of Jesus Christ. They were going to do something in that building that could not be accomplished by any other agency. Education, culture, sociology, science.all failed to turn men from sin to righteousness. He quoted the eminent historian, Lecky, on the influence Methodist preaching had on English life in the 17th century. While France was singing their Marsellaise and reeking with strife, and steeped in human blood, Wesley and Whitfield were procl'aiming.glad tidings in Britain, and singing the Marsellaise of Methodism, O, that the world might taste and see The iichea of His grace. The arms of love that compass me, Would all mankind embrace.

And because they preached and the people listened and repented, England was. spared the horrors of a revolution. We could not, however, live on the past, we must have a motto and an ideal for to-day, and he urged that this should be the motto of this and every church, an earnest and cultured evangelism. An Eastern proverb said that two action always secured the undying gratiutde oE posterity; the planting of a tree, and the digging of a well. He was sure that our action that day in erecting a house to God's honour and glory, would earn the gratitude of future generations, because it would be a house of refreshment and a house of refuge. People who were in spiritual need would repair thither for refreshment of soul and strength of spirit, and those who were weary in life's stuggle and sin would find there refuge and succour in their distress and adveristy. The Mayor said that he had in the course of his public life been called upon to perform many interesting, and not a few curious duties, but had never before had the pleasure and honour of laying a foundation stone. It" gava him unfeigned pleasure to be there that afternoon and take any part in so important and interesting an event. He would like to emphasise what the previous speaker had said cuncerning the influence of the Church on the life and character of a community. He had unbounded confidence in this district, but he would lose confidence in this or any other district that ceased to respect the Church, or that ignored the noble and spiritual things, for which the Churches stood. They were sometimes advised to uproot the Ghurcheß and make a fresh model of society without tljem, but he waß convinced it would be a sorry day if ever that were done. He was not a Methodist, but he knew a good deal about Methodism, and his sympathies were quite with that Church. He was interested to notice the large and active part that was being taken by Methodists in the public life of the Dominion. He noticed that an apology for absence waß read from Mr J. H. Gunson, of Auckland, a Methodist whom he believed and hoped would be the next Mayor of Auckland. He knew Mr Luke, Mayor of Wellington; Mr Holland, Mayor of Christchurch, the late Mr T. E. Taylor, late Mayor of Christchurch; and Mr Shaddock, Mayor of Dunedin, all earnest Methodists. He hoped the day would never arrive when municipal affairs would be entirely in the hands of irreligious men. In s conclusion, Mr Boddie said he believed that this would be a successful Church, knowing as he did, the men who were connected with it. He sincerely trusted that it would be, a centra of purifying and uplifting influence in the town and district. The chairman moved and Mr R. B. Webber seconded a vote of thankß *o the Mayor and Mr Spence.

The members of the ladies' guild dispensed afternoon tea to allcomers. A concert was held in the evening, when a programme of variety and interest wa3 rendered by local talent. The financial result of the day was £2O.

The contractors, Messrs Daniel and Mcßae, under the supervision of Mr G. S. James, hon. architect, are expecting to have the church ready for opening early in April.