WESLEYAN CHURCH SOIREE AND LECTURE.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1044, 8 June 1883, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH SOIREE AND LECTURE.

At six o’clock on Wednesday evening numerous groups of gaily-dressed people, both old and-young, were to be seen wending their way to; the Harmonic Hall, it being an occasion of a grand soiree and lecture, under the auspices of the above Church, when nearly 300 people attended. Inside the building; the scene was a pleasant ‘one, the festive ’boards being; loaded with good things, ■ such as cakes, tarts, oranges, almonds, raisins, lollies,and; -other delicacies, which did great credit to: the caterers. The tables were presided over by Mesdatnes Boagey, Howe, Misses Hawken, Wilkinson and North, the bachelors being looked after by Misses Howe 1 and Smith. Grace having been sung, the eatables were discussed with surprising relish ; but some of our single men were diffident in eating, which could either be put clown to their bashfulness or the bewitching presence of the fair sex ; not so the juveniles—under the care of Mass: Wilkinson and - Miss North for, they cleaied the board with astonishing rapidity. Scripture says, “ man cannot live by bread alone,” so preparations were speedily made after tea for the intellectual portion of the entertainment. . The chojr,. consisting of Misses Gowland,'-'Smith,' Hdwe,‘Watson, Mrs Wilkinson, Messrs Kendall and Heron, sang hymn 608, tune Old Hundred, in ah efficient; manner.; Tile ..Eiv; v Mr Luxford, after a few well chosen remarks,; called on the choir to 'sing the Anthem, “Loud through the World,” ’ - . a-; ~ The Rev. Mr Mather, of Hawera; said he came from the chief town—r(dissent)— but thought'Patea was jealous of Hawefa. He also cited the fact that we had now a steamer of our own, and said Hawera intended to obtain money from Government. He, exhorted them to,be more aggressive in their movements as a church, and hoped they wbuld take great'interest in their -work. Choir—“ Forgive Blest Shade.” _ ;Tlief Rev. "Mr Morley r ;in - a concise, style, delivered his lecture on “Dr Guthrie, the Preacher, Author and Philanthropist;” showed that the eminent Doctor lived a model life, and it was one of marked activity ; in!lß2s;he was licensed as a preacher. The; way he prepared his sermons was by Wilting them - but. They were then revised and all the “ dry ” pieces cut out, and were generally so interesting, abounding with anecdotes, that he carried his audience away with him, so to speak. Dr Guthrie first initiated ragged schools in Scotland, which did so much good in reclaiming destitute children. As an author he' (Mr Morley) said that fie published 782. pamphlets inone year bn a controversy, and did an immense amount of good work in theifemperance cause.; A fine description of his last ,moments brought the first part of his eloquent ; dis-. course to a.close. V

A duet—“ The Pilot Brave,” , was nicely rendered by Mrs Wilkinson and Mr Heron. Miss Gowland, sang a solo with much spirit, and an encore was demanded , [The second part of the lecture being concluded, a duet, “They .are waiting,” was then sung by Mrs Wilkinson and MissHo we very efficiently. A vote of thanks having been accorded Mr Morley for his eloquent lecture; the Rev, Mr Thomson mentioned that he was familiar with the places Dr Guthrie had resided in, and spoke feelingly of Dr Chalmers, who had passed away. He concluded by reciting the lines of the poet: Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime ; And departing leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time. Votes of thanks were carried with acclamation to the ladies and gentlemen that sang," the ladies who presided at the tables, and the visiting, clergymen, Glee by choir—“ The Fairies.” We must not forget Mr Boagey, junr, who helped in a great measure to make the. evening a success, by presiding at the harmonium and piano respectively. After the’ benediction was pronounced by Rev. Mr Luxford, everybod}’’ dispersed to : their ; homes, well pleased with their; night’s enjoyment.: