PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2641, 7 September 1881, Page 2

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

A soiree in connection with the above took place last evening, this homely little church being very tastefully decorated with evergreens for the occasion. About 150 guests sat down to tea, the tables being presided over by the following ladies: —Mrs Ponton, and the Misses Dumbell, Eeid, Wallace, Whitaker, and Thornton. The Eers. Luke (Geraldine), Nixon (Ashburton), Hallowes, Gillies, Beck, and Bray were present during the evening. The Eev. JMr Dumbell occupied the chair and Mr Eidings presided at the organ. The rev. Chairman stated he had come without a set speech, and it was a relief to him and other local ministers to see visiting clergymen from a distance there that evening, who he was glad to say would address the members of the church. It afforded him great pleasure in welcoming those reverend gentlemen, more especially as they were fellow workers in another part of the colony. At a subsequent period ho would submit a brief report which wonld be confined to matters of finance. In the midst of recent depression he was glad to say they had been able to keep their heads so to speak above water, and he trusted that God’s blessing would continue to attend the plenteous work of all the churches and that the Divine favor would fall upon the spiritual and temporal wellbeing of his own. The choir then sang the anthem “ Cry out and Shout,” and the chairman briefly introduced the Eev. Mr Nixon as an old friend.

The rev. speaker said it was with great pleasure he stood before a Timaru congregation that evening. Their worthy secretary had requested his attendance, and it was no small satisfaction for him to stand on the same platform with their own worthy pastor—Mr Dumhell —who some time ago acted as superintendent in the city of Wellington, Mr Luke and the speaker acting as assistants. He had to thank that gentleman for the kindly sentiments expressed by him, and he looked back to the time of their former labors with pleasure, though they were in some measure days of trial. In Ashburton he was working successfully, and he desired to impress upon Tirraru people to look upon country stations with a lively interest, and afford them kindly assistance. Good work had been done in Christchurch, many converts to Christianity being lately numbered in that city. He should like to enquire what were the essentials of Christian worship and fellowship? Did they consist in the erection of costly structures; in the oratorial utterances of the learned or the introduction of music? He thought not. Music undoubtedly exercised a powerful emotional influence ; architectural beauties were pleasing to the eye ; and the result of college tuition was gratifying to the mind ; but all these were as nothing compared to the installation in the mind of the grand doctrines of loyalty and truth, and a belief in the pinciples set forth in the Bible, in the belief in the Atonement, and implicit faith in the Maker. All had a great work to accomplish, and he trusted that God would bless their endeavors to further that accomplishment. The choir gave the authem i( All they who in the Lord conlide.” Mrs Holder stated that so many talented geutlemeu having to. address the assembly little would perhaps be expected from the speaker. A few reremarks might however be permitted. Strict attention to devotional exercises was one of the,chief things to consider. Too much was occasionally expected from the pastor. If the congregation as a church desired that success ..should attend ministration, a divine blessing thould be solicited to attend the efforts of the minister. Every member of the church could do much in this respect, and if the congregation stood aloof from prayer could a blessing be_ ex pected ? On the contrary, if Divine favor was invoked, a glorious revival would result. The young were especially relegated to the care of the church, and numv hundreds, both here and abroad, had * felt and acknowledged her influence. An anthem “Gome unto Me” (Bellamy)—was then given by Mrs Uoklgate with great expression, the solo portions being especially noticeable. This lofty sacred work formed a fitting prelude to the remarkably fine anthem “ Hear my Prayer,” the introductory passages of which were jointly given by the Misses Dumboll ami limes. The grand solo, “ Take heed unto me,” by Miss Duinbell, was very finely given, the vocalist doing ample justice to the composition. Miss Innes followed with the solo “ My heart is pained within me," the choir responding with “UTlial 1 hud

wings like a dove,” the final burst of melody “ Then would I fl oe away and be at rest, concluding a musical rendition worthy of a much longer journey to enjoy. ° The Rev. Mr Luke expressed the pleasure he felt at being able to accept the kind invitation of the Chairman. He was very interested in the excellent music he had heard that evening, and felt more than ever drawn towards the singers. He could assure them that as soon as his probation was over he would endeavor to enlist the services of one for his especial benefit. He tound it no easy matter to make a speech that evening, and, unfortunately for himself, he found that the subject upon which his thoughts had been centred had been appropriated. Great stress had been laid upon church success, and he certainly agreed with previous speakers that church prosperity should be sought for rather in a spiritual than a temporal manner. He might say that nothing was more undesirable and detrimental to the best interests of the church than outward show and a want of sincerity. Matters of church discipline of little importance were sometimes the means of causing empty seats. Questions of sound theology were of far more importance than routine, and to a wane of that sound essential might be attributed a great deal of the lukewarmness witnessed, and until the latter is eliminated they would not see the prosperity they most wished. If rapid strides in the welfare of the church were desired a more constant attendance would be necessary. The speaker asked his hearers to take a retrospective view of the Church,and in the future go forth*in a conscious certainty, if sought for, of the support of Omnipotence. The choir followed with the anthem “ Sing Jehovah’s praise.” Votes of thanks were passed by acclamation to- the visiting clergy and ladies of the choir, the singing of the Doxology bringing the meeting to a close. Considerable comment was passed daring the evening upon the carefulness displayed by the accompanist.