WESLEYAN TEA MEETING AT HAWKESBURY.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 36, 27 October 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

WESLEYAN TEA MEETING AT HAWKESBURY.

A tea meeting in aid of the funds of the Wesleyan Chapel of this district, took place in that building on Mondaj' evening, the 17th inst; and although the weather was not so favorable as it might have been, there was a great number of the inhabitants present. The tea took plane about 6 o'clock, find those pros3nt did full justice to the ample supply of sandwiches, cake, and other refreshers of the " inward man " so liberally provided by the ladies who presided at the several tables. At- the conclusion of this most important preliminary, the business of the evening was commenced by the Rev. Mr Aldred (Dunedin) .being Voted to the chair, and who, in assuming his duties, briefly returned thanks for the compliment paid him, expressed .pleasure at seeing so large a meeting, and trusted they would have a profitable evening. It had struck his mind, just previous to leaving home to attend this meeting, and had been brought to his mind by the circumstance of the fire on the previous Saturday in Dowling street, which had threatened with destruction the Wesleyan Chapel and his own residence, and if so would have entailed a heavy loss, as those buildings were not insured. It therefore showed the necessity for property to be secured from such loss; and if this was how much more so that our souls, by the pos-* session of true religion, should be safe when death came —that through the merits of our Lord and Saviour, the spirit should live when the earth was no more. It was now 23 years since there had been a mission station at Waikouaiti, and no doubt some of those present who are now parents were then children

playing on those sands. The Revs. Watluns and Creed, who had been stationed here- in those days, were now advanced in life, and in ordinary events would pass away. Throe of the children of the former were now in the Ministry. The Church Wesleyan and Methodist were the friends of all and the enemies of none, and loved all who loved the Saviour Jesus Christ. The rev. speaker also stated that it had been recommended to divide the Dunedin circuit, making Qamaru and Waikouaiti into a separate one, having a clergyman stationed at Oamaru, and that it was hoped the services of Mr Plamank could be engaged for Waikouaiti. He knew no oue who would be more acceptable to the people for that duty. These changes, he hoped, would bb effected by next April. It was essential that the Conference should meet in the interval, but he had no doubt that this arrangement would be carried through. A good deal was due to Mr Chambers, who had during the winter months, and over the execrable roads of the district, good brother as he was, come Sunday after Sunday to do his duty. It was true our thanks were due to him, but he (Mr. Chambers) knew it was a duty he owed to God, and trusted that the desire of his heart would be fulfilled. It appeared that the church was £80 in debt, and that the cash taken for the tea and collection on the previous day amounted to £13 12s. 9d. He thought Waikouaiti had done well, and the sum given a large one for so small a place. It was, however, the object if possible to wipe off the debt of the church; and when this was done he would recommend that the sittings should be let, and proceeds go to pay Mr Flatnank's salary. The debt might be lessened considerably that night, lie had found it necessary to pay £49 4s. Id. of the debt out of his own pocket, as there had been most distresssing times in Dunedin, and the people to whom it was due could not do without it. He would be happy to give £5 towards the debt if any one else would give a like a sum. He would be happy to take the names of others for a like sum, or less, and, if any convenience, would say payable at the end of the year.

Mr Flamank, who on rising was received with applause, said he felt somewhat diffident in addressing the meeting, as he was not prepared with a speech. Great credit was due for what had been done by the people here, but there was more to be done yet; he trusted that night to see it fully accomplished, and the debt remaining on the church removed ; and in regard to his coming among the people, had he a choice he would choose Waikouaiti to any other appointment. Since lie had been at Oamaru, and at all times, he had been desirous to do good to every one, without respect of persons. He considered it the duty of a Christian to do so if in his power, and whether Episcopalian, Presbyterian, or Wesleyan, a duty to remove any in the progress of any of them. They had but one object in view, pure and undented religious love to God and our fellow-men. lie would regret leaving Oamaru, but hoped it would not be a separation in full.

Rev Mr Aldred said that Mr Flamank's spirit was that of a Christian when he spoke of his desire to do everyone good. We do not think ourselves better than our neighbors The true Christian spirit despises no one. However wicked man may be, he is our brother —child of the same parent Adam. Should do all the good one can, nor let an opportunity pass of doing , so. At home the eye of the Church was on every class of sinners. Midnight Conferences, consisting of several gentlemen, had been constituted, who went in the streets, and many a one had been reclaimed from the error of her ways by their intercession. That was the spirit of the Gospel.

Mr Ferens, from Oamaru, then addressed the meeting at some length, and was immediately followed by Mr Chambers, who dwelt upon the importance of the object which the meeting had been called for, and stated that the sum now subscribed added to sums already given, amounting to £36 12s 9d, was a small amount to pay off £80 with. Trusted much more would be added prior to the meeting breaking up. As to what had been said about his duty in that place, considered he had done no more than his duty in the absence of a better man. Hoped soon to see one in his place devoted to that duty.

Mr Dyason in proposing a vote of thanks to the ladies, said that although no ladies' man he was very fond of the ladies and liked to bo where they were. He had been requested to call upon the ladies in the place, with a view of getting them to provide trays for the occasion, and he was glad to say that all he had called upon had come forward willingly and done so. Had met with a refusal in no case. Mr Chambers in seconding the proposition said that everything had been creditably managed, and hoped that the ladies would again come forward with as helping a hand on the next occasion.

Mr Aldred then stated that the collection just made added £5 14s Od to the funds, and was pleased at their having done so well. He would, however, call their attention to the state of the church, which was unlincd. The debt due from the church must be paid, as it had been due now nearly twelve months, he trusted it would soon be done, and the place lined by next year.

The chairman, in replying to the vote of thanks passed to him by the meeting, remarked that he hoped class meetings, and prayer meetings would be established and that the Sunday-school would be much larger than it is. It was little more than 70 years ago since Wesley took his leave for a better world saying " I am the chief of sinners, yet Jesus died for mc," and his church is now the largest protestant church, including offshoots and branches, under the heavens.