PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1162, 18 October 1883, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The tea and public meeting in connection with the Primitive Methedist Church, * Temuka, last Tuesday ovening.was a very great succosb. The Church had been ' moat tastefully decorated for the occasion, and did those who engaged in the, work-; infinite a edit. The tea was all that f c,ould ' be desired, and gave everybody attend- - ing the greatest satisfaction^'lt was attended by. iboiit 100 people/ The .tables .'were presided over by Mesdames E. < Pratley, <F. Pratley, Burton, Bryan, j Washington,'Woodley, and Uden.

The public meeting afterwards was so fully attended that the building hardly vj a afforded sitting room for all. Proceedings commenced by the sing of the 43rd hymn (Primitive Methodist hymn book), «Praise ye the Lord.' - j After prayer, the Rev W. Hayesirja few \?ell-chosen remarks inducted ]p Huffey (of Geraldino) into the chair. .., ' . r Mr Huffey was much obliged for. tfie honor conferred upon him, arid said "that 4s he had been befoio them on the ; pre"•vious Sunday; and pumped himself put,', , they, had just put him in the right place-r- ---' ; where he would have very little to say. ' He felt thankful to see so goodly a number present, and'especially glad to seeso-i many of the fairer sex. He was always glad" to see the fairer sex, as they had : " more sense than the men. The speaker then related a story illustrative of thijs, : and wound up by stating that in hia opinion they might have tea meetings .if; they liked,but if it were not for the ladies, they would not get the public to attend. The choir then gave Hymn 317 ttl '" (Sankey's), 'Christ Arose.' Mr Chas Woodley then addressed the

meeting. He said he did not expect to

, be-called on to Bpeak that night, having \ heard that so many of the big guns were coming down from Geraldine, Timar'u, and other places to address them. Still he must say he felt pleased at their great success that night. The tea was got up to get rid of some of the debt on the Church, and he was glad that so many had nobly responded something to the call. He concluded by stating that he meant to do his best to put his shoulder to the wheel for the advancerae&t of Primitive Methodism. Hymn 396 (Sankey's) was then sung by the choir, ' The Blood of the Lamb.' Mr Waite (of Geraldine) was next called upon, and said that he had great pleasure in being present that night. It was very gratifying to see them coming forward so strongly to liquidate the debt on, the Church, and he thought that it showed the members of that little Zion were work-, ing unanimously together. Ho had heard good accounts in Geraldine of their goodheartedness. Meetings like the present were bound to do good, as it brought the people together and they heard something of what was going on around them. He concluded by stating that Christians nhowed their happiness in their looks as well as felt it in their hearts, and hoped that the Church would continue to prosper Mr C, E. Sherratt aed Mrs Glass (of Geraldine) then gave the duet, ' The tern-, pest is raging. Mr A Sherratt (of Gor.tldine) said he did not expect to have to speak that night, though someone outside had snid he must make an apology if he did not make a speech. He must say that the people of Temuka got up some of the best tea meetings ho had ever attended. This was encouraging, and he promised them that he would attend their next one if he possibly could. The speaker then gave a forcible address on unity. He believed that some time before three men had met together many times to pray that God would bless this little place, and their prayers had been answered, and they had that night before them evidence of the strength of unity He understood that they had to make up some Lll 4s for interest every year, and the present meeling was got up to pay for a half year's interest. There was no one among them that could say he would pay the interest and have no more bother, as they were all struggling men, so they had got up the present tea meeting to pay it, and he was glad to see it was so great a success. It showed tint there was a spirit of unity in the Church, and as long as it existed they need nut foar.

A solo and chorus,' Ihe Beautiful City,' was then given by Mrs Charles Woodley, accompanied by the Choir l The Rev W B Haye3 then spoke, and iliid it was almost a waste of time to tell them how ghd he felt to see them present. He had felt proud to bring some of his friends from Geraldine, and when he saw how nicely the Church was decorated he felt proud of that too. The success of that night's meeting showed that the people had a mind to work and that God helped them. He had no sympathy with a long faced religion, and assured those present that to be religious was to be happy. He was sorry that some of his friends from Qernldine were not present owing to dome, tic troubles, and he felt that those present would sympathise with

them. It was hard work to preach without sympathy. He could say that from experience. They had much to be thankful for in the way of living in Christian time. He wished that all the barriers of denominationalism were done away with. If they worked for their Church as they did in their everyday life success would follow. God had given them all something to do and they should all do it. They should all bear each others burdens. They should try to think and believe others better than themselves. All should be workers, and not lazy ones, as the Church could not succed if they had lazy .workers, They should work hand in hand and God would be with them. A collection was then made, after which the Choir sang hymn 295 (Sankey'e),' I Shall be Satisfied.' Miss Annie Metson then gave a recitation. Mrs Glass fol- : lowed with a solo ' Where is my Boy tonight Y A duet by Mrs Spooner and Miss Bryan, 'Where the Weary are at Rest,' was followed by addresses from Messrs Eli Pratley and W. Bryan, the latter : giving a most earnest peroration on the efficacy of prayer. Separate votes of thanks were then passed to ' The Ladies who had provided the spread,' ' The Choir,'' The Chairman,' •The Trustees,' and ' The Speakers.' The choir gave ' When the Storms of Life are Raging,' and the proceedings closed with the Benediction. The children connected with the Church were yesterday regaled with tea and cake, Und thoroughly enjoyed themselves.