PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1292, 20 January 1885, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Last Sunday being the anniversary of this Church, special sermons wore preached on the occasion by the Rev. Mr Nixon, of Ashburton. The little Church was well filled both at the morning and evening services, and in the afternoon, when before the usual service he gave aa address especially for the children, it was crowded. In the morning the discourse was founded on the first five verses of the 103rd Psalm ; in the afternoon the text was the 16th verse of the Ist Chapter of I. Peter ; and in the evening the 60th verse of the 7th Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. The special address to the children in the afternoon was a most fervent and heart-stirring one, being founded on the words : "As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news fiom a far country." The addresses on every occasion were forcible, and were most attentively listened to. Lest evening the anniversary was celebrated with a soiree and public meeting, both of which were well attended. The Church during the day had been decorated with flowers and evergreens, and the effect was very nice indeed. The tea was provided by the members of the congregation, and left nothing to be desired —everything on the tables being of the nicest, and even the last comers had no reason to be at all disappointed. The tables were ably presided over by the following ladies :- Mesdames Prattley, Bryan, Rogers, Woodley, and Thoumine, and Misses Robinson and Bryan. After the good things had been done justice to the Church was got ready for the meeting, but the attendance waj so large that many had to remain outside. Many people from Geraldine and Pleasant Point were present. Mr Robert Watkins occupied the chair, and after prayer briefly introduced the Rev. Mr Laycock—well known in this district as the successor of the Rev. Mr Luke—now in Invercavgill. The Rev. Mr Laycock delivered an intelligent and forcible address oq the Individual Responsibility of Christians, and the importance of united effort in Church work.---The Rev. Mr Rothwell delivered an eloquent address on Earnestness. He deprecated lukewarmness, and urged them to be in earnest in all Church matters.—The Rev. J. Nixon, of Ashburton, spoke on Christian Enthusiasm. To be successful a man must be enthusiastic, for no man ever made a great success otherwise. They should not condemn people who differed from them, but should rather love them, for love, faith and prayer were the sum and substance of all.—The Rev. Mr Clark, Minister of the Church, said he would speak practically to them. The objects of Anniversary Services were frst to raise funds—they could not carry on withrut money. Sceptics ridiculed them on the money point, but a Freethought lecturer would have to be paid. He could not get on without it, and, if so, why shruld they not raise money to carry on Church work? The next object was a social one : Methodists were a social people, and they gathered annually together to promote social feelings among themselves. They were like members of the same family and ought to take a warm interest in each other. The third object, and the principal one, was that of religion. Thpy had immortal so v. la to save, and they desired to foster religion at these meetings.—The Chairman spoke at some length on the necessity of harmony amongst members, and called upon Mr Evans, who proposed a vote of thanks to the la lies who provided the ten.—This having be n seconded by Mr R. Smith was carried by declination and acknowledged in a humorous speech by the Pev. Mr Laycock. —Mr Bryan proposed, find Mr Metson seconded a vote of thanks to the speakers, which was acknowledged by the Rev, Mr Rothwell,—Mr W. Smith proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and, this having been seconded, and spoken to by Mr Kli Prattley and Mr J. Woodley respectively, was carried by acclamation.—The Chairman responded. — A. vote of thanks to the choir, the pronouncing of the Benediction by the Rev. Mr Clark, and the singing of the Doxology, brought the proceedings to a close.