HOSGIEL METHODIST CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 12

HOSGIEL METHODIST CHURCH.

ANNUAL SOIREE

The attraction of the annual soiree at the Mosgiel Methodist Church this year proved as powerful as ever, and on the 6th a large congregation listened to a comprehensive programme with evident enjoyment. The choir- having opened the proceedings with the anthem "Trust in the Lord,' 7 the chairman (the Rev. W. Abbey) briefly reviewed the events of the past year. During the past three months something like a dozen names had been removed from the church membership roll by death, removal, etc. ; but this depletion had been more than compensated by new members. The class tefciehers deserved the warmest appreciation. A combined Bible class had been formed, and had a year of promise before it. The Band of Hope had done good work. The trustees warmly appreciated the services of the choirmaster (Mr Haig), the choir, and members of the orchestra. "We have," concluded the chairman, "on the whole had a good year, and we press forward trusting."

The Rev. P. W. Fairclough said it gave him great pleasure to be there in Mosgiel, and he only regretted that the darkness did not permit him to see their beautiful town. He was glad to see such an excellent attendance, and to hear so fine a choir and such a satisfactory report. He would remind them, however, that the evening service was the thermometer of church life, and he was sorry to hear that it was weakening. One of the vices (he did not mean the word in any offensive sense) of Church life was " divisibility." There were so many tiny organisations, and he could not but think that the good old plan of having parents and children in one good meeting wa6 the best. — (Applause.) He had a few words to say to them on "The Progress of Man." They were apt to imagine that because they were progressing in wealth mankind was progressing. People would tell them that at one time mankind could not travel at a higher rate of spaed than horseflesh could take him. New there were railroads, motors, and, as thoy all knew, airships in New Zealand so rapid of flight, ac to be in several places at once ; but it did not follow by any means that the man of today was better or possessed of more brains than his forefathers. They perhaps had heard of the dwarf who climbed upon the shoulders of a giant, and from that vantage point could see much further than the giant. No doubt we had worked gradually up to our present discoveries, which would have been quite impossible had it not been for the energy, ability, and perseverance of those who had gone before us. Because we ihad guns that could send a projectile with 6uch force as to penetrate the whole of Nelson's fleet and then have vim enough to blow the French fleet to pieces, were we better people? Were wo more healthy, more ruauly than our forefathers were? It was being declared by a German that the people with whom the ancient Romans fought were practically the same as the Germans of to-day. They told us we were not so robust as our fo^L>fathers were. At the present time thoro was a tendency to " save up-" the weak — he bad almost said "the refuse." Were we richer? Statisticians would tell them that the working people were getting more now than ever before ; but wealth was measured by contrast. Though the poor were millionaires, so long as others were billionaires there would be soreness of heart. It seemed that it was " the pace that kills," and there was in this world that rush and ioil that sometimes made men wonder if life was worth living. He believed in the Christian Church, and that the Gospel would make men better, but unfortunately parents could not hand on their own qualities. Were they on a higher plane than their fathers were? He felt that they could never have a perfect world unless they had perfect people. As Herbert Spencer had indicated, they could not build a perpendicular wall with cannon balls, so the shape of . our social life must depend upon the people. If they would have the new and perfect woild they must get their people right, and get their bricks square for a square building. However, they might enjoy the service of the Church, unless they were re-made the service of the Church would be a failure as far as they were concerned. A great many Christians were lopsided. Then, again, there were the people without backbone. The mission of Christianity was to touch that part especially which was defective. Let them take this practical view of religion. Let

their forms and ceremonies be vitalised by the spirit of God.

A duet was very ably rendered by Misses Bradley and Blackie, Miss Loudon sang an excellent solo, and Mr Haigh's violin solo ("The holy city") was enthusiastically encored, and Miss Kirk's rendering- of " The lost chord " concluded with a similar demand. Another prominent feature of the programme was the orchestral selection by the Haigh family. Mr A. F. Cheyne contributed a oapital solo. The choir gave a spirited rendering of " The glory song," and concluded the musical part of tha entertainment with the anthem " Loyalty."

An eloquent and convincing address on " Home and the Church " was delivered by the Rev. H. S. Bishop. The soiree, from beginning to end, was an undeniable success, and reflected great credit on Mr G. S. Tonkinson (secretary) and those responsible for the management.