WESLEYAN TEA AND ENTERTAINMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 946, 4 May 1882, Page 3

WESLEYAN TEA AND ENTERTAINMENT.

The annual tea and entertainment in connection with the Wesleyan Church was held last Tuesday evening in the Volunteer Hall. Considerable interest was evidently felt in the entertainment, as there were present persons from all parts of the district, who came in traps, etc., from long distances.. Excellent preparations were made, and the hall presented a veiy pretty appearacce when tea was laid at 6.30 o'clock. There were eight tables, presided over by Mesdames J. Brown, E Brown, Roberts, Parke, Thomas, Mason, Marcroft, and Fee, and the good

things provided by the above-named ladies were :is excellent in quality as they were abundant in quality. The tables were crowded several times and it was estimated that no less than 200 persons partook of the hospitality of the abovenamed ladies. Amongst those present were several from Timaru, including the Wesleyan Choir, to whose excellent singing a good deal of the success of the en'ertainment was due. After the tables were removed, aud everything put in order, the concert commenced at 8.30. We notice that it is becoming a practice to make out very Jong programmes, begin late, and wind up late. We believe this is a mistake and that entertainments to which people come, sometimes from a loDg distance, should be over at 10.15 at the latest, especially in this season of the year. Amongst those on the platform besides the Rev Mr Fee, who occupied the chair, were the Revs Beck (Timaru), Gordon, and Chaffers Welsh.

After a few remarks the rev chairman called upon the Rev Mr Gordon to pray, after which the concert was opened by a pianoforte solo by Miss Ball, of Timaru, who was greatly applauded. The Timaru choir next sang ' I will greatly rejoice.' The Rev. Mr Beck at the request of the chairman next addressed the meeting. After a few pleasantries respecting a juvenile atom of humanity in the body of the hall, whose untimely screaming chimed in rather awkwardly at the moment the speaker commenced, the rev. gentleman told them the good Mrs Hampson had done in Timaru. The secret of Mrs Hampson's success was prayer, and there was no reason why prayer should not be so effectual here as in Timaru. If they would give themselves to prayer they would meet with the same success. He would ask them all to pray together, and pray fervently, and if they did God would send His blessings down upon them and upon their Church. A duet entitled ( Polaski's Banner' was capitally rendered by Mr and Mrs Foster* which was followed by Mrs Edmonds' song ' Angels ever bright and fair,' which was highly applauded. The Rev Mr Gordon next addressed the meeting. He referred to the kindly feeling which existed between the other ministers of religion and himself, especially the rev gentleman that presided at the meeting, and said the estimation in which they held each other was growing with acquaintance. He was glad to notice the improvements which the Wesleyan body were effecting in their church, and trusted they were improving inwardly as well as outwardly. The Rev Mr Beck had referred to the power of prayer, and the effect it had in Timaru. They [were desirous of Mrs Hampson paying a visit to Temuka, and he as well as other clergymen had invited her, but he was not sure yet whether she would be able to come. He was a thorough believer in prayer, but prayer had it» place, and labor had its place also. He instanced a man who would talk for hours on religious matter and never give anything towards the support of the church. The minister was getting tired {of him, and when he was speakiDg too long one day one of the congregation asked him for a dollar subscription, when the speaker at once collapsed, Suc!i rvere not the properly religious men, They should not'alone pray but they should labor also. He believed wih St James, as well as St Paul, that faith, without good works, was dead. Whether Mrs Hampson came here or not he, os well as other ministers, were determined to do their best. They would work in this part of the Lords vineyard together, unencumbered by creed, cathechism, or sectarian differences, and taking the Cross of Jesus of Calvary as their standard, do all that in them lay to obtain the same degree of success which crowned the labors of Mrs Kampson in Timaru. He hoped they would do good, and earnestly prayed that the power of every church in the district would increase in doing good. (Great applause). Miss "Warrington sang 'ln Paradisso' very well, and Mr Ghilchrist ' In Native worth,' with good effect.

The Rev J Chaffers-Welsh next addresed the meeting. He had attended three committee meetings that afternoon and consequently did not feel in a good humor for speaking. He could not, however, refrain from expressing his heartfelt sympathy with his Wesleyan brethren. He had recently noticed by the religious stalistics that the Wesleyans were small in numbers compared with other churches, but that should not discourage them. John Wesley was but one man, and everyone acknowledge J, even now, the good he did. He hoped the words of encourg.unent addrersed to them by the Rev Mr Beck nhd Mr Gordon would have the effect of arousing them to activity in religious matters, and he would say that nothing would be left undone so far as he was concerned to encourage and foster prayer. He could bear testimony to the kindly feelings which existed between himself and the other ministers Whatever differences of opinion they might have en matters of doctrine they always agreed on tbemaiaprinciples,and their esteem for each other was growing every day. He was glad to notice the recent improvements to the Wesleyan Church. He often thought the Wesleyan Church, which is of brick, looked down upon wooden churches. Hehopedtosee itextend ing so that it might cross the road aud join

his church at the other side, and if the brick and Btone could not be united their hearls could meet in sympathy, nnd kindly feeling. (Applause). The Rev Mr Beck had referred to the good work done by Mrs Hampson in Timaru. He thus threw down the glove to Temuka, but the Rev Mr Gordon had picked it up, and he (Mr Walsh) was ready to go hand in hand with Mr Gordon in any good work which might ba set on foot. (Great applause.) Miss Iness next sang 'He was despised,' from the Messiah, for which she was applauded, and the first part of the programme wound up with the Timaru (Jhoir singing ' Praise Him.' The second part of the programme consisted of glees, songs and duets, and amongst the singers was' Mr Edmonds who elicited the only encore of the evening, although he was suffering from a very severe cold. He sang ' The noble boy of truth,' very effectively. The Timaru Choir sang the glee ' Let the hills resound,' Mr Warrington 'Nancy Lee,' Miss Brown ' The Fisherman's daughter,' Mien Inesa 'O'er the earth the wind can blow,' Mr Rutland ' The Charge of the L : ght Brigade,' Miss Musker, and Messrs Gilchrist r.nd Foster • Shepherd tell me ' (a trio). Mrs Foster ' I cannot sing the old songs now," and Messrs Gilchrist and Warrington ' The minute gun at sea,' all of which- were loudly applauded, and seemed to give entire satisfaction to the audience.

The Rev Mr Fee, after referring in terms of gratitude to the ladies who provided the tables, and the ladies and gentlemen who enme in such inclement weather from Timaru, moved a vote of them, which was carried by acclamation. He also moved a vote of thanks to Mr E Brown, and those who had assisted tor the manner in which the preparations were carried out. He also wished to thank those who did not belong to his congregation for th3"r presence, and assured them that they were heartily welcomed, and wound' up by thanking the other clergymen who were present and had assisted him. The Choir yiext sang the New Zealand 1 National Anthem,' written by Mr ,T Bracken, M.H.R., and composed fey Mr J A wood. The piece which was suDg for the first time here is exceedingly pleasing to the ear, and was capitally sung. We hope we shall often hear it again. The Rev Mr Chaffers-Welsh then pronounced the benediction, and those present dispersed highly pleased with the evening's entertainment.