WELCOME SOCIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1006, 17 June 1911, Page 3

WELCOME SOCIAL.

A welcome social was given on Thursday evening, by the local Methodists, to the Rev. T. and Miss Coatsworth, when there was a very good attendance. Mr G. H. Stiles (circuit steward) presided, and during the course othis remarks assured Mr Coatsworth that the friends gave Miss Coatsworth and himsels a most hearty welcome to Foxton. He then explained the course of circumstances which ended in the present minister being sent to Foxton by the Conference. He stated his opinion that the church to-day needed men of conviction, not convictions, as men of many convictions were to be found in our prisons, but men who knew what they believed and were not afraid to stand up in defence of those principles. He assured the friends whom they were welcoming, of the hearty co-operation of the congregation in all their efforts for the good of the people. The choir, with Mr Sherratt as conductor and Miss C. Honore as organist, rendered pleasingly, “ Praise Waiteth for Thee, O, Lord.” An address followed, by Mr J. Chrystall who stated that he was very pleased to join in the welcome to the Rev. T. Coatsworth, and he hoped that he would have a very successful time in Foxton. Mr A. Rimmer gave a solo in a very pleasing manner, after which the Rev. G. K. Aitken was called upon to address the meeting. Mr Aitken expressed the great pleasure that it gave him, as representing the Presbyterian church, to be present at, and to join in, the welcome to the new minister. He was afraid that, during his absence occasionally from Foxton, he would miss the welcome social. He was pleased, however, to find that that was not so. He had found Mr Coatsworth brotherly, and easy to work with. Mr Aitken finished bis address by wishing Mr and Miss Coatsworth a very happy and successful time in Foxton.

Miss Honore rendered the solo, “ Daddy,” with much feeling and in a manner that was very creditable to her.

Mr H. Smith joined in the welcome, and stated that already Mr Coats worth had had an influence for good over his life. The choir gave the anthem, “O, Worship the Lord,” after which Mr G. Huntley addressed the meeting, expressing the hope that Mr and Miss Coatsworth would meet with success in Foxton.

A duet was sung by Mr A. Saunders and Mr Marshall (Moutoa).

Mr Walker stated that he was very pleased to join in the welcome for many reasons. He hoped that all would do their best to make the newcomers’ stay a happy and a profitable one. A solo “ The Holy City ” was then rendered by Mr J. Chrystall in a very creditable manner. The Rev, T. Coatsworth, in responding, stated that he had not been anxious to come to Foxton as he had expected to go to a circuit to which he had been ininvited, but after three months in Foxton, he was glad that he had come. He thanked the friends for their very kind remarks' and trusted that during bis ministry here they would have times of great blessing. Mr Coatsworth then gave an address upon “ What Methodism stands for” and pointed out that it stood for (1) Evangelical truth, (2) an aggressive Protestatism, (3) national and civic righteousness, (4) The supremacy of Christ. He trusted that the friends would be regular in their attendance at the Sunday services,' that they would give to the support of God’s work, as the Lord had prospered them and, in conclusion, he asked for their prayers that he might be “a faithful minister of Jesus Christ.”

The benediction then brought a very pleasant meeting to a close. Refreshments provided by the ladies of the church were then handed round. The accompanists for the evening were Misses Honore, Butt and Coatsworth,