METHODIST CENTENARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1921, Page 5

METHODIST CENTENARY.

LECTURE ON EARTA* DAYS. CAMPAIGN IN NEW PLYMOUTH. An interesting and informative lec* ture. illustrated with a. number of lantern views, was given in Whitelev Hall, New Plymouth, last nighi by the Rev. A. C. Lawry, the general secretary of the Methodist Centenary movement. Tho views featured New Zealand in the present day, and also carried the audience back to Maoriland in the days of the romantic pabt. I’hc lecturer referred to the Rev. Richard Johnson, styled in official records “one of the people called Methodists," as having been the first Christian minister in Australia. The Rev. Samuel Marsden, who was the son of Wesleyan parents, and Anglican chaplain of New South Wales, preached the first sermon in New Zealand. Be also pointed out that the Rev. Samuel ‘Leigh founded tho Methodist Mission in 1822, and referred to incidents in the life of his grandfather, the Rev. Walter Lawry, who assisted the Rev. Samuel Leigh. The lecturer passed in review a number of the early missionaries, and recent ministers of Whiteley Church. During the evening a brief musical programme was rendered, and solos were given by Misses Cupper and Perrot and Sir. R. L. Cooper. After an appeal had been made by the lecturer, centenary promise cards were handed in and some £BO was guaranteed. On the motion of Mr. W. H. Skinner, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer.