Friendly Societies.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 265, 6 October 1884, Page 3

Friendly Societies.

•YESTERDAY'S S^EOIAIi SERVICE.

The various benefit Kocieties m PalmerHtoh that took p«rt m yesterday's demonstration are to lie congratulated on the unqtbttitied success attending their united gathering, and the service held m the Wesleyan Ohurah ...QELtjheir beEalf shonrd'certainly have a direct and beneficial effect m binding them together ;m; closer and harmonious union 'and of atiinulating thorn m the furtherance rtf tlii-i)- for tb.e benefit of their fellpwraen. : . About r 100. ro.embersofs the diffciettt. societies establLshed here .took part m the prp ccedings. Meetijig at the Foresters' Hall at 10.15 th(/y arranged m procession form, and proceeded to the Wesleyan Church m Bvoad-street. The Juvenile Rechabitea being the

-the -youngest order -took precedence, followed by the Druifls, after whom came tEe Oddfellows,, \fitb the Forestern bringing up the rear. The weather being bAght summer a large number of the residents turned out to watch the procession,and decorated with the partial insignia of their society, the members walkiugin pairs, il looked an imposing sight. On reaching the church the usual fovin was gonw through with, allowing the senior, body to proceed inside first. The seat-holders having given up their pews for the occasion there was no difficulty m procuring seats. The service commenced by tjjo minister giving out hymn 959 m Wesley's collection followed by the congregation repeating- the Lord's grayer. Hymn 857 was next sung, then the first lesson (the VI chapter of Proverbs), after which prayer was engaged m. The choiv then sang " Jackson's " " Te, Deum " very effectively and willi a hearty and correct rendition. The second lessqu was then read, part of ihe IX chapter of Luke?s Gospel* followed by the 'Congregation singing hymn 318. The Rev. Mr Bunn then preached a sermon specially applicable to the occasion, taking for .his text tho 11th verse of Ihe XII chapter of Romans : V Notslothf ul m business ferveni m spirit, s rving the Lord;" We are sorry we cannot find space to report fully this truly eloquent address. The preacher m strong language deprecated the fanaticism which prompted some people to attempt to cry down such invaluable institutions as those represented before him, and Troped ? tn^y" '(ttte Frieifdfy " Sooicties) would, continue prospering and; have the guidance of the AJmighty m all their' projects.' ..As public benefit' societies he. congratulated fhem on the position they held iv this district and exhorted them, notwithstanding the attnok made upon their orders, to bind themselves together m closer nnion and fellowship. During the collection the choir sang the Anthem, "In Jewry is God known," the congregation evidently appreciating the rendering of this beautiful composition. The last hymn was joined m by the. whole congregation, making a grand effect. An impressive prayer was then offered up by the minister, and special reference made to the Friendly Societies m Palmers ton, m. yoking the blessing of God on their joint endeavours to assist each other. Oh leaving the church the procession reformed, the Foresters leading and marched back to the Kail where they, disbanded.