THE METHODIST CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2412, 1 April 1922, Page 3

THE METHODIST CHURCH.

EULOGISED BY MR. EDWARD NEWMAN, M.P.

In the course of his speech when formally opening the Methodist - Festal Fair at the Town Hall on Thursday afternoon, Mr Edward Newman, M.P., said he regarded it as a great honour to be associated with the Methodist Church even for a/.passing event such as this. The y-fmord of the Methodist Church in 'New Zealand was one of which any church might be proud. Until recently he thought that the honour of having held the first missionary service in New Zealand belonged to the Anglican Church with Marsden, but he now understood that the first missionary was the Rev. Samuel Leigh, a Methodist. He was also surprised to learn recently that the Methodist Church had forty million adherents, although it did not form part of one of the oldest Christian churches by any means. He went on to say. that the Rev. Samuel Leigh, although a Methodist, worked along with the Anglican missionaries when he returned to New Zealand in .1822 to start his mission, thus showing a splendid example of unity in sen-ice which might, well be followed in these days. If ever in the history of the world, said Mr Newman, there was a time when all the Christian churches should combine it is the present time. All around us we see battle, murder and sudden death. This is no time for any one to stir up strife, and it is deplorable that any man professing to be a member of a Christian Church should do so. The “aftermath,” as it is called, of the war has proved almost more terrible Ilian the war itself. During the war we were sustained by the spirit of combination for the attainment of the one object that seemed to bind all British peoples together —to win Ibe war. Differences of opinion, of creeds, classes, and even national differences, were forgotten. We were all making togeiher for the wen* all working together for. the common good. Our heavy losses and sacrifices gave us a common ground on which to .. stand, and many hoped and prayed that the brotherhood of man thus cemented with blood might change the world for the belter, and lead to the common good being the common aim, instead of as in the past —selfish and personal.advantage and gain. Alas! if has not been so. Immediately after the war, and ever since, the world has seen nothing lmf strife and unrest, mutual suspicion and distrust, trouble and discontent worldwide. If ever there was a time when the spirit of ePace was wanting in this poor affiliated world, it is now. True, there are signs flint a! last light is breaking through the dark clouds, and there is reason to hope, the nations really desire peace, hut there is much to be done before the hopes so- many held of a “better world” after the war, afe realised. The Methodist Church, concluded Mr Newman, is one of the great agencies for ePace and Goodwill, arid he wished it Godspeed in its noble mission.