PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. GERALDINE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2702, 16 November 1881, Page 2

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. GERALDINE.

The anniversary services in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church at Geraldine were held on Sunday and Monday, 18tn and 14th Nov. On Sunday two sermons were preached by the Rev. John Nixon, of Ashburton, to large and attentive congregations. On Monday a good number of persons assembled in the church to partake of tea and various eatable dainties provided by the ladies of the congregation, who, it may be remarked in passing, always do well whatever they undertake to do in this line. Abundance was on the tables, and seemed to be heartily appreciated by the company, which was augmented by a detachment of Primitive Methodist friends from Temuka, as well as some from other places. The tables were served by Mesdames Harding, Kennington, E. and G. Fronting, A. and C. E. Sherratt, Hammond, Fly, and the Misses Andrews (2). Tea having been cleared away, the proceedings of the evening were commenced by the singing of the hymn, “ From all that dwell below the skies,” after which the Eev. J. H. Luke, Pastor of the Church, introduced to the meeting Mr Postlethwaite who had kindly consented to act as Chairman. It may here be said, that Mr Postlethwaite fulfilled the duties of his position in a very satisfactory manner, as was evinced by the hearty vote of thanks accorded to him at the close of the meeting. He expressed his pleasure in meeting with his Primitive Methodist friends, and in occupying his present position at their meetings, after which he called on the choir for the anthem “ Holiness becometh thine house.” The other musical selections of the evening were the anthems “ I now will keep him in perfect peace” and “Behold how good and joyful,” and hymns taken from “Songs of the Gospel,” viz “ Gathering Home.” “ Are you coming home to night ?” “Hearer home” (duet and chorus) and “Jerusalem.” The harmonium was as usual under the charge of Miss Andrews, and it may fairly be said that the music, as a whole, was fully equal to any thing that has been heard in Geraldine for some time past. In addition to the pieces mentioned, two solos were given by Mrs Hixon, who accompanied herself and was warmly applauded by the audience.

The speakers were Mr Coltmau, who gave some interesting particulars as to the origin of Primitive Methodism, its first conferences, and the choice of its distinctive appellation—with some information as to its present position, considered numerically, spiritually, and financially. The Rev. Mr Barclay, having declared himself to be in the state of nervousness and. speechlessness usual with him on these occasions, proceeded to pour forth such a stream of eloquence as could come from no other person, basing his remarks principally on those of Mr Coltmau, and on some particulars of the report, which showed a deficit balance of £IOO.

The Rev, J. Nixon dwelt strongly on the necessity of personal holiness in the members of a church, as indispensable to that church’s prospeiity. The Rev. T. Pee (Wesleyan) spoke upon the variety of ideas held by different persons as to the essential qualifications of a minister, and the Rev. Mr Luka said that as he had frequent opportunities of giving utterance to his sentiments from that platform, he would not inflict a speech on the present audience. Votes of thanks to the ladies who had provided and dispensed the tea, to the choir, to the Chairman, and to the speakers, were proposed by Messrs Sherratt, Middlemiss, Luke, and Harri son, and carried by acclamation. The Rev. Mr Nixon responded for the speakers, and the Chairman for himself, remarking that he had not spent a pleasanter evening during the 5 or 6 years of his residence at Geraldine, and expressing a hope that this would not be the last time he would meet with them in that room. The singing of the Doxology and the Benediction closed a very pleasant evening.