BAPTIST CHURCH

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2492, 16 March 1881, Page 2

BAPTIST CHURCH

A public tea meeting in connection with the Baptist Church took place at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Barnard street, last evening. There was an excellent attendance, the hall being crowded. The tea was on the tables in number) at six o’clock and was of a most appetising description. The tables were presided over by fbe following ladies : —Mesdames Kirby, Jeffeoate. Simmons, Bray, Honey, Marfell, Smallwood, Four acre, Ritchie, and Penrose, and Misses Simmons and and Chivcrs, who were all kept busily employed for about an hour and a half in ministering to the wants of the visitors.

At the public meeting Mr Austin presided, and in a brief address stated the object of the meeting, viz., To recognise Mr Bray as Pastor .of the Church. Mr Jc-Jfcoate, presented a financial statement which showed that the members of the Church had already collected £IOO towards paying for the section of land purchased in Eden street. Mr H. Simmons in a few hearty earnest words welcomed the pastor, and gave to him in the name of the Church the right hand of fellowship.

Mr Bray then spoke of his conversion to God, of the series that had attended his labours since entering the Christian ministry. He detailed the steps which led to his coming to New Zealand, and accepting the pastorate ol the Cnurch at Timaru, ho declared his intention of preaching the whole counsel of God as the circumference of the circle of which Christ crucified, is the centre in which all the lines meet, and concluded a very interesting speech by thanking the other ministers of the town for their sympathy, and the members of the Church for the hearty manner in which they had welcomed him.

The charge to the pastor was given by the Bev T. A. Cato, from the words “ Take hoed unto thyself.” It was an eloquent address—one calculated to benefit both pastor and people.

The Kcv C. Dallaston followed with an address upon the duties of the church. He indicated the different ways in which the members of the church coidd help and encourage their pastor, viz., by seeing that their Gospel faith had a Gospel practice—a practice including consistency of life and conduct and hearty Christian service ; by steady church membership, loyalty to their faith, and a regular attendance upon the means of grace ; by dwelling together in unity and in the atmosphere of true believing prayer. The Rev W. Gillies then gave a very humorous address upon the relations of pastor and people.

The Ilev T, B. Hallowes follower] with an address upon earnestness in Christion work, pointing out the need for every Christian to discover his work, and in the spirit of patient perseverance to continue in the same. The Revs Simmons and Dumbell added a few words of congratulation, and expressed the wish that pastor and people might enjoy God-given success. The meeting throughout was pleasant and profitable, and augurs well for the future of the Baptist interest in this town.