THE WESLEYAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5817, 20 November 1879, Page 2

THE WESLEYAN CHURCH.

LAYING THE MEMORIAL STONE. The ceremony of laying the memorial stone of the new Wesleyan Church, in Taranakistreet, took place yesterday, in the presence of about 500 people, there being a largo number of ladies amongst the assemblage. The following clergymen were present : —Revs. W. Kirk aud William?, Wellington ; Rev. Mr. Thomas, Greytowa ; Rsv. Mr. Rishwortb, Lower Hutt ; Rev. Mr. Bellow, Masterton ; Rev. Mr. Salter, Gisborne ; Rev. Mr. Olliver, Napier; Rev. Mr. Neilson, Scandinavian clergyman, Norsowood; Rev. Heteraki Warihi, native clergyman, Wellington. There were also several Scandinavian missionaries present. The building, which is in a very advanced state, considering the short time that has elapsed since the contract was let to Mr. Wilson, was gaily decorated outside with flags and bunting. Already the handsome proportions of the building can be seen to advantage, and it will, when completed, seat close upon 1500 people, the length being 100 feet x 55 feet, with spacious galleries all round the building. Punctually at five o’clock the Rev. Mr. Kirk commenced the proceedings by asking the congregation to sing the 617th Hymn— Behold the sura 'oundation-stono. Which Hod in Zion lays, To build our heavenly hopes upon. And his eternal praise. The Rev. Mr. Thomas having read Psalms cxxiv., cxxv., and cxxvi., the Rev. Mr. RishWORTH engaged in prayer, invoking the blessing of Almighty God upon the undertaking, aud praying that he would look upon the sins of the people of this city with merciful consideration. The 990th Hymn was then sung— In the name which earth and heaven Kvcr worship, praise, and fear— Father. Son, and Holy Spirit— Shall a house be builded here. The Rev. Mr. Williams then said : The monument which is this day formally inaugurated forms the latest link in a chain ,of history which reaches back to the beginning of European settlement in Wellington. The earliest records available show that the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Wellington was first constituted in 1842 ; the congregation then met in a building known as Hunter’s Exchange, and the minister was the Kev. J. Aldred, who for some time previously had been laboring among the Maoris. In 1813 the first church was built on the Mannersstreet site, which had been generously given by the Government. The size of the building —ls x 22—thows that the period may he fitly spoken of as “ a day of small things.” To this succeeded a brick building, which served well the purposes of the congregation until it was destroyed by the terrible earthquake of October 16, 1848. As soon as possible after this a lath and plaster church was erected, which, however, was so shaken and damaged by earthquakes as to render it necessary to replace it eventually by a building of wood. During the superinleudenoy of the Kev. J. Buffer this wooden church was enlarged by the addition of galleries. This soon became too strait for. the demands of the growing congregation, and on December 30, 1867, the foundation stone of the late Manners-street church was laid by Dr. Featherston, then the Superintendent of the Wellington province. When that was formally opened for public worship, the trustees had good reason to expect that no more church building would be required on that site for a very long period. The building was large and commodious, the style of architecture was in no danger of becoming antiquated, and all the appliances were at command for carrying forward the work of the church into future generations. This expectation of permanence was suddenly blighted by a deplorable accident while a prayer meeting was being held in the church at the close of the public service on Sunday evening, June 15, 1879. An alarm of fire was raised, the scene of the fire being the Imperial Opera House, ou the opposite side of the street. It soon became apparent that the church itself was doomed, and in about two hours after the last act of worship within its walls the fine block of buildings, comprising church, vestries, and schoolroom was entirely destroyed. On various grounds it was deemed inadvisable to rebuild on the old site ; and so the present acre of land in Taranakl-street has been purchased, and the work of erecting a new church has been successfully begun. Into the future we have no power, and we need have no wish to pry ; but with regard to it it is our privilege and duty to hope and pray ; and ’that the future of this church may be shielded from disaster and crowned with abundant prosperity and blessing will without doubt be the hopeful prayer of all who take part today in the laying of this memorial stone. The Kev. Mr. Williams then explained the contents of the leaden box which they were about to deposit in an aperture of the memo; rial stone. The following document was also enclosed in the box 1 “ This memorial stone of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Taranakistreet. was laid on Wednesday, the 19 th day of November, by William Hort Levin., Esq. senior member of the House of Representatives for the City of Wellington. This church was built to replace the church in Mannersstreet which was destroyed by fire on Sunday evening, June 15th, 1879. The Kevs. William Kirk and William James Williams, ministers of the Wellington circuit ; the Rev. William Kirk (chairman of the district), and the Kev. William Morley (president of the New Zealand Conference), Messrs. David Lewis, William Clark, Charles Edward Luxford, David Kiuniburgh, William Tustin, John Fitchett, Joseph Nancarrow, Henry Wrigley, Joe Dixon, George Tiller, George Williams, Samuel Carty, Samuel Danks, John Watt, William Moxham, Thomas Ralph (trustees of the church), Mr. Thomas Tnrnbull (architect), Mr. James Wilson (builder).— ‘ Cast down, but not destroyed’—2nd Corinthians, 4thchap., 9 verse. ‘The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord of Hosts ; and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of Host, ’ —Haggai, 2nd chap., 9th verse.” The coni. - ■ f the bos found’ under the memorial atuu-j uI the Manners-street church was also deposited in the box placed under the memorial stone, comprising a copy of the Wellington Independent of the 30th December, 1867, and the official document and circuit plan. There

were also placed in it a opy of the programme of the day’s proceedings, a circuit plan, aud copies of tlie New Zealand Times, New Zciland’*rt Evcuiny Post , and Evoahfj Chronicle On the top of the bt\ was a copper-plate, handsomely engraved, with the following inscription :— ** Wesleyan Methodist Church. Tarauaki-street, Wellington, New Zealand. This memorial stone was laid 0:1 the 19th day of November, 1379, by W. H. Levin, Esq,, M.H. K. Thomas Ternrcil, architect ; James Wilson, contrv.c 1- «r/’

Rev. Air. Kirk briefly introduced Mr. Levin, who was received with applause, and asked him to declare the memorial stone laid. The rev. gentleman, on behalf of the trustees of the church, presented Mr. Levin with a handsome silver trowel with an ivory handle, pro-ured from Mr. A. R. Hislop, jeweller, Lamhton-quay, on which the following inscription was very neatly engraved r—“Presented to W. H. Levin, Esq, M.H. U., on the occ.isiou of his laying the memorial stone of the new Weslevau Methodist Church. Tarauaki-street, Wellington, November 19, 1579.” Mr. Levin descended to where the memo, rial stone was to be laid. There was a brick foundation, iato which a block of freestone was fitted, with a space cut out for the leaden box containing the documents. Taking some of the mortar and spreading it, and having adjusted the memorial stone, which was suspended overhead by means of pulleys, Mr, Levin said : “ I declare this memorial atone to be firmly and truly laid, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Mr. Levin thou came forward and addressed the assemblage. He said that he was much flattered when asked to take part in the interesting ceremony, and hesitated much before consenting to perform the pleasurable duty that fell to his lot that day, because lie felt there were many others in the community who had greater claims than he had ; but still he could not help feeling highly flattered—being, as he was, a member of another communion—at being singled out for the pleasant duty which had devolved upon him that day. He could not help remembering how the old brick church belonging to the denomination had been destroyed by the earthquake in 18-13, and how in 133(5 the church which was built to replace that one was again considerably damaged by another earthquake ; and how, after many difficulties and unexpected delays, the congregation at length gathered together in their handsome and spacious church in Mannersstreet—a memorial of perseverance worthy of the great founder of their sect. He (the speaker) said that he felt he but echoed the sentiments of nearly all the people in Wellington, when he expressed his sympathy with the members of the church upon the devastation which took place a few mouths back, through the calamitous fire in Manners-street. The work in which [they were now engaged was worthy of the indomitable spirit of the founder of their sect. He was aware that, in these depressed times, there were many difficulties to overcome; but he felt they Would all disappear before very long. (Applause.) In conclusion, Mr. Levin remarked that the events of that day marked an epoch in his life, which would not soon be forgotten. (Applause.) The Rev. Mr. Kirk gave an interesting sketch of the progress of Wesleyan Methodism in all parts of the world. Methodism had not yet been in existence 150 years, hut it had made gigantic strides in all quarters of the globe. In Great Britain there were 3000 ministers, 33,000 local preachers, 700.000 communicants, and 2,000,000 adherents. It was only 120 years since Joseph Rilman and Robt. Boardman had gone as the two first missionaries to the United States, hut the Methodists had now 10,000,000 adherents, and 2,000,000 communicants in that country. In Canada and British North America the adherents of Methodism [were numbered by thousands and tens of thousands ; whiht in Australia and Polynesia they numbered fully 700,000. In New Zealand, they had not made the vast strides so noticeable in the other Australasian colonies ; but still they had 65 ministers, 4000 communicants, 22,000 Sunday school children, and 82,000 adherents. The rev. gentleman spoke of the customs prevailing amongst the members of the Church, and said the financial arrangements of the Methodists were as perfect as those to be found in any other Church —there were no rich congregations and highlypaid clergymen in some places, and very poor ones in others. In conclusion, the Rev. Mr. Kirk thanked Mr. Levin tor coming forward as he had done, and if that day was an epoch in that gentleman’s life, they would, on their part, remember it with gratitude. (Applause). The 992ud hymn having been sung, and a collection taken up, the proceedings were closed by the Rev. Mr. Kirk pronouncing the benediction. The choir belonging to the Church were present, and their singing was really excellent. TEA AND PUBLIC MEETING. A tea and public meeting was held in the evening, in the schoolroom of the United Free Methodist Church, Courtenay - place. The tea was provided by the ladies of the congregation, and was partaken of by about 300 people. After the good things had been disposed of, an adjournment was made to the new church, where the Rev. Mr. Kirk, chairman of the district, and superintendent of the circuit, took the chair. The proceedings were opened with singing and prayer, after which The Chairman spoke of his great gratification at seeing so many people there, and then proceeded to make a short financial statement. From this it appeared that the total liabilities in connection with the old church were £3090, and those of the new £9560, making a total of £12,650. Included in the new liabilities was a sum of £4BOO, the estimated cost of the new church. The total assets were £7150, leaving a deficiency of £SIOO. Against this defi* oieucy, however, they had the fine property in Manners-street, and they were endeavoring to get the permission of the Conference to the sale of this land, as well as the Dixon-street property and the Terrace parsonage. By these sales they thought they would be able to clear off their debt aid erect a new parsonage near the church. They would also require a nsw schoolroom, which would cost £IOOO or £I2OO. He trusted there would be unanimity amongst the congregation, and that they would do their utmost to clear the debt away. Referring to the assistance which had been received from outside sources, he said one member of another church bad promised £2OO. Other circuits in New Zealand had also been very liberal, £2OO having already come in, of which £lO5 were from Christchurch, and £43 from Auckland. Mr. Kirk also spoke of the kindly offers of assistance which had been received from other churches, which had been a great pecuniary gain to the church. The Rev. Mr. Williams also addressed the meeting, and made a very humorous speech. He said there was a lady present who remembered the old days of Methodism in Wellington, —when the congregation worshipped in Hunter’s Exchange. She could also tell them all about the great earthquake of 1848, when the then church came to grief, and of the lath and plaster building, in which the congregation used to receive more substantial benedictions from above than they looked for. (Laughter.) The rev. gentleman spoke strongly in behalf of the trustees, in their efforts to build the new church, and bespoke the sympathy of the congregation on their behalf. The meeting was subsequently addressed by the Rev. Mr. Olliver, of Napier, Mr. Tiller, the Rev. Mr. Salter, of Gisborne, and others. During the evening a variety of musical selections, solos, choruses, &c., were excellently rendered by the choir, and were .loudly applauded ; Miss Randall's solo, “ There is a green hill far away,” being particularly well received.

The total sum collected during the day, including that at the stone-laying ceremony, tea meeting, and the collection at the public meeting, amounted to £55.