THE UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5710, 18 July 1879, Page 3

THE UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH.

A tea meeting took place at the schoolroom connected with the new United Methodist Free Church, in Courtenay-place, on Thursday July 10. We have already given an account of the handsome and spacious edifice which has just been erected by the above, body, and which is alike a credit to them and to the city. There was a very large attendance, and those present afterwards adjourned to the church, where a public meeting was held. The Rev. Mr. Redstone having opened the meeting with prayer, and the choir having sung a hymn, the rev. gentleman stated that he was glad to see so many persons present, but he regretted that Sir \Vm. Fox was unavoidably absent. Mr. Gibsham, secretary to the church, read a report, which gave a detailed account of the progress of the church since 1876 to the present time, and acknowledged, with gratitude, the handsome donation of £7OO from Mr. Hicks, of Cornwall. The total cost of the buildings and fittings was £4260 ; the balance remaining to be liquidated was £998, towards which a donation of £IOO had been promised. The Rev. Mr. Hinton said he hoped that the debt which they had incurred would not scare them. He was at present preaching at the Foresters’ Hall, in Eambton-quay, although it was not a suitable place for the purpose, but he could not hope to get out of it so soon as their minister had done. He had noticed with pleasure the interest taken by the congregation in the progress of the building they were now in, but they must be on their guard lest, having done so much, they should think that there was nothing more to do. Everything they succeeded in doing was but a step towards what they had to do. The church was of no value, save for the use to which it was put, and he trusted those who had helped to build it would find safety in it, and that they would not leave the fold after having built the church.

The Rev. Mr. Redstone said that when they got a month’s notice from the Foresters’ Hall they did not know what to do. They set to work and prayed for. £SOO, and their prayer was rewarded with success.

The Rev. Mr. Dunn said the building they were in that night was a proof of what the voluntary system could do, and the people at Home could learn much from the colonies in that respect. It was a good idea for them to pray for £SOO ; he would pray for a similar amount only he had not sufficient faith. It was one of the problems of the present age how to fill the churches. He had heard of a plan —it was for every member to undertake to bring two or three people to church with him every Sunday. They might avail themselves of the hint. •

The Rev. Mr. FatEESON next addressed the meeting. He related an anecdote of a missionary in the South Island, who waited on a wealthy gentleman and solicited a subscription towards a fund for building a church, and upon meeting with a refusal the missionary requested the gentleman to engage in prayer, to which the latter consented, whereupon the missionary commenced praying fervently for the salvation of the rich man, who was possessed of the means but not the heart to do good. The missionary went on praying, and the gentleman offered first one, then two, then four, five pounds if he would leave off, but the missionary disregarded all the offers until at length the gentleman consented to give most liberally. To-morrow the Rev. D. Dutton will preach at 11 a.m.; the Rev. W. Kirk in the afternoon at 3 o’clock ; and the Rev. H. B. Redstone in the evening at half-past six o’clock. Collections will be made after each service for the building fund of the church, and we trust to hear that a handsome sum will be the result.