WHITELEY MEMORIAL CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 301, 19 December 1900, Page 2

WHITELEY MEMORIAL CHURCH.

ANSIVJIBSARr BBRVIOIB. - '+ — i ! • Thb Anniversary of the Whiteley Memorial Church was celebrated on Sunday bv special services, which were, able and onjeyable, the singing by tbfl choir being a very marked feature in the sueoess ef the services, The pulpit was occupied both morning and evening by the Eev. S. J. Serpell, who preached unusually eloquent tnd powerful sermons. .

Last night, Taesday, a very 6ujoy-1 able gathsring to®k place in the church I when the chair was occupied by the Rev. W. Cannell. A strong choir with Mr. White as organist, rendered some exceedingly enjoyable music, consisting oE anthems, and a ceuple of solos by Mrs. EifcetS and £fr. E, Armitage. j The Ohairnj&fl after a few opening \ remarks called upon Mr. Qkay, sonr., who oxp«:8«id his gratification at jtlm progress tho church was making and the hearty way in which the congrejition responded to calls mad* upon theoi. Referring to the church daM lie o.\prcßsad tljo hop; that, he would live !o s,f.) it extinguis^i'd. Mr. Gaitor, who noxt called upoo, give an exues.liojjly iturestii-g address. He ratvi'icd to the dfeit.hof l.he Iter. Charles Oun o fc, orw of llw leaders of tho church, and hisgriat parsenal influence. He thought tlioy wante.4 mere of this personal influence in conceitioi) with their young pojple. It was a necessity#/a heal'hy church life to look after the young peopld and the chureh that did this would be ? live cliutcb. Ho concluded by urging, graater interest in the work of the' Sunday School. Mr. Whisker also made a few remarks. Ha was glad to see the church se prosperous. He had lately attended the Synod in Wanganui and found Now Plymouth was at tho top of the tree, and he felt more proud of New Plymouth than over. lie then went through the Jiguros in the annual balance sheet to saow tho hoalthy condition of tli-i finances details of which, bo said, had been suppliod in the ptittlfid baki.ee sheets. He urged tin adop,tion of the envelope system as leading' Ito regularity in the receipts. He ' eulogised the services of Mr, Whit 3 as

organist and of the choir, and said that with such playing and such singing and such preaching ns thoy had on Sunday, thoy were bound to havesuc--1 ceasful services.

The Rev. S, J. Sorpcll, Minister of the Church, said he felt very thankful for the way the congregation had supported the church. The past year had been a very happy one and he was very grateful to the organist, the chair, and everyone who has helped to make ii so. Dialing with the question of finance, he said they had every reason to feel thankful for the past and hopeful for the future. He then proceeded to give a powerful and interesting address on the need of young people making a study of the Bible. It was the classic book of English "literature: '—He* "then dealt with the sacred diameter of the Book aritf its' Divliie authoit'y. ItS influence on private national character, If ifa«, he said, the-charter; af the ltaertifs of.the JjSnglish speaking rao. Ithad a world-wide influence, having ;;be<m translated .into every known languagd*. ■He ajso. referred to, the in-1 distructible character of the Book, and uaid it was the- greatest factor for the welfare of the individual and the State.

The singing of the Anthem "Hosanna in the Highest" by the choir, and the benediction by the Chairman, concluded a very successful meeting.