TEMUKA PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 802, 17 December 1881, Page 2

TEMUKA PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

On Monday last the opening tea arid public meeting w.i.s held in cuaneewoa. with the above Church. A very el borate spread was provided by the ladies and friends of the Church, to which a large gathering sat down in the Good Templars’ Hall at half-past six. The following are the’ladies who gave troys, and assisted at the tables : —Musdames Woodhe.id, Uden. "‘Wobciley, Bryan, Freddy, Spooner, and Regers, Misses Uden, Messrs E, and F, sr,atley, and others. It was one of, the best spreads we have had to Tatnuka., and f -fleeted great credit on the Primiiive , Methodist ladies. After tea was over the friends repaired to the Church which, way was beautifully decorate 1 with ferns, evergreens, and flowers. It lookedquite a picture ; mote than once was it remarked that the like had rarely, if ever, been excelled here. Soon every seat was occupied, and the public meeting commenced by singing Hpmn 42, “ Praise ye the Lord,” and prayer by the Riv M> - ■ Dumbell After the preliminaries, the Rev Mr Luke, Pastor of the. Church, explained that Mr Cox, who had engaged to preside was unable to attend through illness. An apology was also made for the liev- Mr Gordon, who was also prevented from taking part through the same cause. Mr Amos Snerralt was therefore vot 'd to the chair, and conducted the proceedings in a very,satisfactory mann<er. The first item on the progr mime was an anthem by the choir, ‘‘ Holiness,,” after which the Chairman made a few remarks.. The choir then, in a very creditable rnan.er, gave a chorus entitled “Samara’s, Daughter,” This was followed by an able Speech by the Rev J. Dumbell, on l- The Rise and Progress of Primitive Methodism.’[ j Dining his remarks, the rev gentleman .-referred to the. providential way in wlvch the Society originated, and the opposi ion , it at first met with. Mr Warren, and Mr King, locM preachers, of Geraldine, also gave an. interesting address, in which they wished the Temuka congregation every success in their undertaking. The choir then gave an anihem “8.-huld how good and joyful,” and chorus ''A l © you coming home to-night.” After which the Rev .\L Pee, Wesleyan Minister, gave a very humorous speech in which be pointed out the, necessity, of ail members of i churches exerting themselves and pulling the one way. This was followed by a duet by MPa Emily and Master Andiewa entitled “ Nearer Home.” This was the sweetest pie e of music wo have heard in Temuka for some time, anc| had the treble been in a little better trim it, would havo'better still. Mext came a speech by the Rev. Mr Luke, who intimated that he would not detain the audience very long as it was getting very late. In his remarks he briefly referred to the subject of “ Methodist union,’’and also to the ob ject for which the Church in which they wore congregated was erected. The p issirig of votes of thanks to the ladies for p roviding the tea, decorating the Church, fitc. ; to the Choir ; to Miss Andrews, for presiding at the harmonium ; to the speakers; to Mr Comer, the contractor ; and to the Chairman brought a most successful and interesting soiree to a dose. We cannot conclude this report without - testifying to the able manner in which Mr Blythe (architect), Mr Comer (bunder), and Mr Cooper (paint°r), have completed their work. The Primitive Methodists deserve to be patronised and encouraged for their perseverance in getting such a creditable building .in so short a time. We learn that 'tie'Rev Mr Lake has accepted an invitation to continue his ministrations anotlier year in Geraldine and Temuka.