METHODIST CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3021, 10 April 1926, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH.

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS,

SOME REAHNINSCENCES

Apropos of the Jubilee celebrations of the local Methodist Church the following gleanings from “Fifty years of Methodism in New Zealand” will be of more than parochial interest: — “The attention of our Church was directed to this district in the year 1874, when Manawatu was made a branch of the Wellington station. On the arrival of the Rev. John Standrin, from Gambierton, South Australia, a Mission was commenced at Foxton, where Mi - Standrin took up his residence. Services were held in a small wooden building, the only place available, a good congregation was soon gathered, and a Sabbath School estblished. The energetic character of the preacher, and the growing interest of the people, soon convinced the public generally that Primitive Methodism had come to stay. Messrs W. Port, F. Loudon, F. K. Crowther, G. Adams, T. W. Bull, J. Me Cullotigh, Johnson, Kingswell, Simmonds, Marshall, and Mrs Crowther, senr., were amongst the earliest adherents of the Mission.

“In the year 1875 the branch was made into a separate station . . . .

and the year was spent in consolidating the work at Foxton and in making preparations for the erection of a church, which by that time had become a necessity.

“At the District Meeting held in Christchurch, in 1876, an urgent appeal was made for a second minister, in order that the Mission might extend its borders. The application was granted; but there was no minister available. A promise, however, was given that as soon as possible one should be sent. Before the delegates had returned to their homes, the Rev. Peter Wright Jones arrived from England. The Missionary Committee at Wellington, after due deliberation, appointed Mr. Jones as colleague to Mr. Standrin. Mr. Jones proceeded at once to the work assigned him, and performed the journey up the coast in a small steamer which traded regularly between Wellington and Foxton. The journey proved to be quite an adventurous one. Upon their arrival at the mouth of the Manawatu River it was found that the vessel was too heavily laden to cross the bar. Considerable inconvenience and unpleasantness were experienced by those on board, as the great breakers, which rolled in from the ocean, lifted the steamer up in their might, and, when their force was spent, let her down not very gently upon the sand. . . . Deep water was eventually secured to seaward, and as night was coming on, the captain steered for Kapiti Island, to seek shelter until daybreak. The next day, being Sunday, the few passengers were landed upon the lonely island, to spend the day as they pleased, whilst the sailors discharged part of the cargo. Strange thoughts passed through the mind of the missionary as he reflected upon his surroundings and the ways of providence. The journey was resumed in due course, and the next day found them all safe at their destination. “On Good Friday, April 14th, 1876, the new church at Foxton was opened with a large service, presided over by Mr. J. P. Leary, of Palmerston North. The usual opening sermons were followed with a temperance lecture by the Rev. P. W. Jones, at the close of which several persons took the pledge. . . . Regular services were now also conducted at Moutoa. “In the year 1890, Foxton, the first place where Primitive Methodism was established in the Manawatu district, was formed, with Moutoa and Shannon, into a separate station; the Rev. J. Olphert being appointed superintendent. The minister was welcomed most heartily at a service, which was presided over by Mr. J. W. Gower, Mayor of Foxton, one of our local preachers.” Later the record reads thus: “Throughout the three and a-hali years of its separate existence the Foxton Station has shown unwonted vigour, and has enjoyed great prosperity. It has a good future before it, and with such laymen as Messrs. Westwood, Howan, Osborne, Dotting. Gisbon, and others, its success, with God’s blessing, is assured.”