METHODIST SOCIAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 9 May 1919, Page 2

METHODIST SOCIAL.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY AND WELCOME. A most enjoyable and well-attended social gathering was held in the supper room of Bright 's Theatre, Otaki, on Wednesday night last, for the dual purpose of celebrating the anniversary of the local Methodist Church and welcoming the newly appointed minister (Rev. W. Ct. Slade, M.A.) and Mrs Slade. The hall had been nicely decorated and arranged with small "tables, easy chairs, etc., and- presented a pleasing appear-i ance.

Mr Byron Brown (chairman of tho Otaki Town Board) extended a most cordial welcome to Mr and Mrs Slado to Otaki. Mr Brown said he thought it tho duty of ministers to assist with civic progress as well as in church

affairs, and remarked that ho felt sure that Mr Slade would prove a manly Christian, and do good work hero. As a representative of the town, ho had pleasure in welcoming Mr and Mrs Slade to Otaki. He trusted they would have a good time here—Otaki was not a bad placo to live in—and that God would bless their labours, so that tho town and district might bo the better for their*"uiinistrations.

t Mr Frank Pcnn, who occupied tho . chair.'voiced the welcome of tho Otaki • and district Methodists. He referred to Mr brilliant career, and said j they.were proud to have secured tho ; appointment of such an able ami pro- " mising minister. Mr Pcnn referred to . some of Otaki's many, attractions, and said ho trusted their guests would have , a very happy time at Otaki, and that. their labours in tho circuit might be richly blessed. The speaker congratuI luted Mr and Mrs Slado on'their recent j marriage. Mr Pcnn urged the church ■ members and adherents .to loyally support their new minister.

Mr Harold Cockroll also welcomed Mr and Mrs Slade, and referred specially to tho work among the Sunday, schools and young people. Ho also urged on tho people the necessity of hearty co-operation with the minister. An apology was made for tho absenco of Mr O. W. Kirk, of Te Horo, through indisposition.

, Tho Rev. G. F. Peti-ie, M.A., expresscd his pleasure at being given an opportunity of extending tho right hand of fellowship to Mr and Mrs Slade. j After some six years' experience in ' Otaki, the speaker said he could assifro Mr and Mrs Slado that they would And j the Otaki people warm-hearted and j hospitable, and always ready to assist in any good work. Mr -c-ctric said he I was convinced the timo was not far distant when tho churches would be | drawn much closer together. The war. had dissipated many of the barriers between the different churches. How would tho Allies have fared had they, attacked tho enemy in independent fashion.'asked Mr Petric. They would assuredly have failed miserably. Tito churches should take to heart talis object lesson on tho need for utility, ami li» hoped and prayed tho timo was not far distant when there would be a much closer union between the churches. Mr Petrie said he was perj fectly sure the same cordial relations f that had always existed between the i Anglican and Methodist Churches in ( this district would continue, and assured Mr and Mrs Slade of the hearty | welcome of the church of which tho speaker was the representative | Rev. Mr *lade, in a brief reply, hearI tily thanked all the speakers for their kind words of welcome, and said his | ideals in his ministry might be summed up. in one brief sentence: The extension of the Kingdom of God. The j idea that dominated the world to-day, I was the Kicdom of Christ. The excopi tional activity of tho past few ycar.3 in" missionary enterprise was due to thin I endeavour to estend the kingdom of j God to all countries and all peoples, and he pointed oat that tho word "kingdom" included all classes and creeds. At the outset ef his ministry, in Otaki, said Mr Slade, he wanted to set before him-<cl£ that definite aim of seeking firs* the kingdom of God, and ia doing so he wouM seek to help the church to develop a healthy and vigorous Christianity that would make the whole world better, from a church, civic and social standpoint. A most enjoyable musical programme was very success fully gone through, all of the items being well received. Songs by Mrs Les, Atkine and Mrs HUdreth, Misses F. McCk-Jand, Diaper and Paton, and Mr Crawford, recitation by, Mr Byron Brown (encored), pianoforte solo by Miss Alberta Mair, and medical JEOnologne by Mr Frank Penn were rendered.' Miss A. Mn.ii played tho accompaniments very nicely. A very nice supper was math enjoyed, and a moat pleasant gathering was brought to a conclusion by the singlryfy of the Dozoiogy.