Baptist Church Jubilee

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 54, 7 March 1944, Page 6

Baptist Church Jubilee

The Palmerston North Baptist Church jubilee celebrations were concluded at the week-end, and it was announced at the close of Sunday evening's service that the jubilee objective—tu clear the church of its debt of £l4so—had been fully realised. A well-attended picnic was held on the Hokowhitu Domain on Saturday afternoon. Mr. W. Wilby organised the games, and an enjoyable list of events was conducted. In the evening a “reminiscence social" was held, the programme being under the direction of Mr. li. Rush. Games and competitions were* enjoyed, and elocutionary items were contributed by Mr. J. Bewley. Interesting reminiscence speeches were given by a number of the older members, among whom were Messrs A. E. Whitehead, W. Whitehead, F. Grover, G. S. Thompson, E. Dymock and Revs. J. C. Macky and D. B. Forde Carlisle. Warm tributes were paid to former stalwarts. The opportunity was taken to honour the oldest member present, and Mrs. Boggis gave posies to those ladies who had been in membership for over 30 years, and buttonholes to the male members of over 30 years’ standing. Special mention was made of Mrs. E. Holbrook, who had the earliest associations with the church, and Mrs. W. Wilby, who had been an enrolled active member for the longest number of years. Those receiving the flox-al tributes were Mesdames Wilby, Holbrook, F. Grover, E. Dymock, D. Beavis and C. S. Thompson., and Messrs W. "Wilby, D. Beavis, F. Grover, W. P. Anderson and G. S. Thompson, E. Dymock and C. Perry. Mrs. Wilby presented to Mrs. Boggis a spray of flowers and to Mr. Boggis a buttonhole in recognition of their leadership in the organisation of the jubilee celebrations. The jubilee cake was cut by Mesdames Holbrook arid Wilby. A number ol greetings were read. Sunday saw the church crowded at both services for the final day of the celebrations. The preacher in the morning was Rev. D. B. Forde Carlisle (Te Awamutu), who spoke on the theme “Fifty Years and After.’’ In the afternoon a special youth rally was held and this was largely attended. Mr. Carlisle again spoke on the implications of the death of Christ for young Christians and his message- was full of challenge to an out-and-out diseipleship. The evening service was attended by the members of the Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Life Brigade companies. Mr. Boggis spoke- on “The Master Word for an Age of Change,” taking as his text Hebrews 13: S: “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day and forever.” This, said the speaker, was the most appropriate word for such a time as a church jubilee. Reviewing the changes of the past and contemplating the differences which the future years would reveal, it Was necessary that the Church remember that its Gospel was constant and unalterable. The business of religion was not to conform to the times, but rather to proclaim the eternities. The choir sang special anthems.