FOXTON PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 67, 22 April 1881, Page 2

FOXTON PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

♦ . 111. .. The anniversary <»t' the above Church was celebrated on Easter Monday by a tea and public meeting. The tables, which ivere erected in the Church, were supplied by the Committee and presided over by the following ladies : — Mesdames Honore and Odhome, Misses Whittaker, Synums, Nash, Bourne, and Westwood. The Church was tastefully decorated with ferns and flowers, the word " Anniversary " being worked very neatly in ferna on the wall ibove the rostrum. Tho tea meeting was largely attended, and as the provisions weiv excellent this part of the anniversary festival went off with evident success. After tea the tables were removed and the Church prepared for the public meeting. A large number agaia assembled, and the huilding presented a very animated appearance. The Ciiurch choir, numbering about 15 performers, occupied seats on the right of tho rostrum, upon which were seated tke R«v. Messrs Duncan, Sadler, and Horsley. The musical part of the meeting wa3 under the direction of Mr J. R. Russell, who also acted as organist. The different pieces were well rendered by the choir. The meeting opened with the. usual devotional exercises, after which the Rev. J. Duncan wa3 vote I to the chair. The Chairman, in addressing the meeting, referred to the fact that the present was the third or fourth anniversary of the Foxton Primitive Methodist Church. They were reminded that a year had passed sinco they assembled at a similar meeting on the occasion of their last anniversary. How rapidly the year had flown, never to return ! They should remember a year had gone from their term of probation, and value more highly their present opportunities for receiving and doing good. The changes caused by the lapse of time also suggested themselves. These changes affected all. though in different ways, — some in business, others in the relations of life ; but. that most apparent was the entire change of ministers of the Primitive Methodis* Church. Those present at last anniversary had removed to new spheres of labour, and two new ministers were present in their places. Some thought these incessant changes desirable, but that depended on whether it was a change for the better or not. (Hear, hear.) The itinerant system had some advantages, aud many disadvantages. If either tlw congregation or minister were dissatisfied, it enabled the connection to be severed in a harmonious manner , still he thought incessant change was not good to either pastor or people. Though regretting the departure of the former ministers, he heartily welcomed the new ones as fellow- workers, and hoped they would labour in the district with much comfort and success. He hoped the report to be read would show prosperity in all the branches of the Church's operations, and that during the ensuing year they would enjoy increased prosperity. Cuoir — " Call them in." Mr Adams followed with a practical speech. He heartily welcomed their new mi uisters, and believed that with two such earnest men their efforts would result in the extension of the Church, and the increase of its membership. He would sneak more particularly on the question — ilow to reach the masses. He knew a minister in London who wrote a book on the question, in which a number of means were suggested by which the masses could be reached, and who put those weans in operation with great success. During the p.-ist year the Church had grown, and some new members had joined, but still there were a large number in the Foxton district who attended no Church. That class they should try and reach. A few days before he was twitted that they were as a Church in debt, and were getting worse. He had replied that that was th* fashion just now, though it was one hf; (the speaker) would sooner see them out of. To get out of debt they should get at the people's pockets, but they could not do that without first gutting at their hearts. Curious means were sometimes employed to get people to Church. On one occasion a man nicknamed { the Roving Ranter went to preach at a I town in England, and finding no congregation in the Church, he went to the end of | the street and ran up it screaming " Fire !" The people followed him in crowds, and on entering the Church th^y asked where the J fire was Ha replied, " For uu*aved souls, in hell !" and proceeded ta preach to them. I He did not aay they should go 30 far as that, but thought they should certainly endeavour to arouse the curiosity of people who never went to Church, in order to get them there. As showing the effect of arousing people's curiosity he would mention that on'y recently, when appointed to preach at Palmerston, he had a difficulty in keepinsr the congregation together, owing to the anxiety of a number to go and hear a Mormon elder preach. Haying two such earnest ministers, he did not doubt that if once they got the people to attend the services good results would be achieved. Choir-" Hear the call." Mr MC llloch, who followed, said the past year had been au eventful but successful one in the Church's history. They had had the pleasure of seeing some young people join the Church, which was a mo-it hopeful sign. Divine blessings, which the Cnurch 'lesired to see bestowed on all, were alone satisfying. They had also experienced the pleasure of receiving the sympathy and assistance of members of other Churches, which was most gratifying, as, indeed, it . always was his to the child aw well as to the man. Tiie remarks of Mr Adams had recalled to Jiis mind his first and only preaching experience at Palmeret >n. Some five years ago, when he was a young "local " preacher, he was sent to that town to hold service. He started at half-past four on Sunday morning, and on arrival there the key of the preaching place could not be found until it was too late for morning service. He was told there would be a large number .it m ht, but the congregation consisted of one sma'l man, his wife an.l child. He was certain he couM have held them by force, had he so desired. Nevertheless, he preached his sermon ; but he nerer went to Palmerston without thinking of that, his first and only experience as a preacher there. He thought that the growth of th« Church was iv many cases delayed by the iaconsistencies of its professed friends. Still, he hoped that under the direction of their new ministers, whom he cordially welcomed, they would increase their numbers rapidly. Choir— " Thine, 0 Lord, is the greatness." The Rrv. Mr Horsley was next called up'>n. After some humorous refer.-nces to the names of himself anil Mr Sadler, remarking that the Primitive Methodist Church in Minawatu had nowa//o/-Aeao.il«u/-die. which lie hoped would both prove good, he proceeded to read the annuil statement of the Ciiurch funds. The debt at lash anniversary was £300. Through the <ff >rts of the Ladiea' Sowing Committee it had bnen decreased by £120 during the year. Tho total income of the year had been £69 3', made up as follows :— From List Anniversary. £15 5< 3d : donations £16 6s ; service of Ron.', £8 lls 1M ; pew rents, £8 17» 6.1 ; ladies' sewing meetings, £20. Expenditure — Interest, £27 ; insurance, S3 ; paid off debt, £20; lighting, dealing,

and incidental expenses, £18 7a 7d ; total, £08 7s 7d, leaving a credit balance of 15s sd, at the close of the year. The payment of 4:20 would slightly reduce the interest. Referring to the present meeting, he thought they had had a highly pleasant anniversary, which was as it should ba, for religion was a tiling of pleasure. Happiness was gained by the performance of duty, and he thought rational enjoyment was the legitimate outcome of true religion. They should not expect their ministers to Ao the whole work of the Church, for all had an influence which should be exerted. By private counsel, or by inviting persona to the Church, the members should support the ministers. Time was fa3t passing away, and it was their duty to do what they could while they had opportunity. The rev. gentleman concluded hia addressby a stirring appeal to all present to asaiat in the work of extending the Redeemer's Kingdom, urging that the past victories of the Church showed that it had no need to bs ashamed of its mission, which was to evangelise the "orld. Choir — " Where are the reapers V A collection on behalf of the Church funds was then made. Choir—" I will praise thee." The Rev. Mr Saddler then addressed the meeting. He remarked on the hold that tea meetings evidently had on the people in the North a3 well as the South Island, from which he had just come. He thanked them for the hearty welcome they had uiven him, by which they had proved themselves genial and openhearted, and hoped he would be useful and successful in the district. He remarked that the design of the Church was to be the life of the world, — the salt of the earth. The Church of Christ was at first small, but now it was a vast organisation on eirth, whilst multitudes in heaven were saved through its instrumentality. The Church consisted of true believers in Christ. It had overcome great opposition, arising chiefly from prejudice and superstition, but had not done nil it might have done. It had suffered more from its professed friends than its enemies, through hypocrisy and insincerity. Still it was destined to fill the world. The secret of its success was it 3 purity. When worldliness had entered, the Church had gone down. Tho Methodists.of late years had lost much of their influence through not following closely Wesle\'s doctrines and methods of working. The members of the Church sustained an important position towards their fellow-men. Their influence should bo for good, or else it would damage the cause of the Church. Purity was the mark of distinction, and it should he apparent. The Metholist Churches had always been characterised by great power in prayer, simplicity, and strong faith. No one would deny that they had done a great work, and were now a power on earth. Prayer should be specific. Many prayer meetings were spoiled through the leader praying all round the world, instead of for some specific object. Personal purity was necessary to success in prayer, or in Christian labor. When the Church was as it should bo, the world would improve faster. He believed he was iv their midst in the order of Providence, and asked an interest in their prayers. The work of a minister was most arduous. He dealt with the I soul of mm, which was m ire subtle than the things investigated by scientists. Hence the necessity of Divine aid, to which end his people should pray for him. He hoped success would attend his efforts, and that the prosperity of the past year would he the prelude to still greater blessings during his stay amongst them. C loir — i( Longing for rest." The usual votes of thanks to the ladies, the Chairman, the choir, and the organist were then passed, and a very pleasant meeting concluded by the rev. Chairman pronouncing the apostolic Benediction.