The Jubilee of Primitive Methodism.

Manawatu Herald, 23 November 1897, Page 3

The Jubilee of Primitive Methodism.

This year is peculiarly the year of jubilees, and the jubilee of Primitive Methodism, celebrated in Wellington last Tuesday evening, deserves more than passing notioe. The roll of honour, containing the records of those who have led the movement from ita 'noep nn, whilst too long to enumerate in full in the space at our disposal, is interesting enough to receive a brief recital. The Rev. R. Ward, who was the first preacher of the denomination to land in New Zealand, came out to Taranaki in August, 1844, and was joined two years later by the Rev. H. Green. During January, 1847, Mr. Ward paid a short visit to Wellington, and on his r iturn Mr Green came down. The ieo>rd of the first quarterly meeting of Primitive Metbodist9 in Wellington bears date ßth September, 1847, "when Messrs. B. Kebblewhite and A. W. Masters were received ai local preachers, and per miss'on was given to build churches at Wellington and the Hntt." The fir9t churoh was opened on 11th November, and dfstnytd by the great earthquake of '48 Sir Georga Grey contributed to the buitding to take its place. The Rev Mr Green spent ten years in charge of the district, during which period churches were erect d at Sydney street, Tawa Flat, Stokea Valley, and the Hutt. On Mr Green's removal to New South Wales he was succeeded by the Rev Joshua Smith, whose work bo prospered that the church had to be pulled down and a larger one put up in its place. A noteworthy incident at this stage is the fact that th? "Rev W. Ktrton (Presbyterian) suggested the amalgamation of the two congregations, and for three months Methodist and Presbyterian worshipped together on Lambtonquay, Mr Eirdon preaching in the morning and Mr. Smith, in the even ing. Two years later tha Rev. J. D. Whittaker joined the circuit, and he died in 1862 (Mrs. Whittaker, his widow, is still residing in Wellington). In 1864 the Rev 0. Waters tx>k op the work, and in 1868 the pioneer missionary, the Rev R Ward took charge of the district. In 1870 the Rev W: J Dean arrived, and Special mention is made about this period of the arrival of the Haddon and Luke families. The names of the Revs. J. Nixon, J. Dumbell, D. Dutton, J. Mitchell, B. Horsley, and P. N. Hunter pass in order by and bring us down to quite recent date, the recital of their names leaving a very faint impression of the labours of who have borne tha heat and bunjen of Primitive Methodism j in Wellington City and district.