TEMUKA WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1324, 7 April 1885, Page 2

TEMUKA WESLEYAN CHURCH.

The annual tea and coucert in connection with the Wesleyan Church took place last Friday evening in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka. t There was a good attendance, and everything passed off most satisfactorily. The tea, whioh was all that could be desired, was supplied by the .ladies of. the congregation, the tables being presided over by Misses Brown (3), Collins, Cant, Hopkinson, Buxton (2), Barrett, Fawdray (2), and Hooper. After justice had been done to the viands, the hall was cleared, and willing hands were soon busy in putting it again in order for the public meeting, which was afterwards held. Mr Geo. Butler took the chair, and meeting was opened iu the usual manner. After the siDging of a hymn by the choir, and a few introductory remarks by the Chairman, The Rev. Mr Fairclough briefly addressed the meeting. In the .course of his address he said that a new era had dawned on the Wesleyan Church in Temuka. Hitherto the ministers placed in charge of the Temuka Church were either theological sucklings, or newlymarried ministers, but now they were getting an old aDd experienced minister. Miss Foster, of Timaru, who was in excellent form, sang well, and was duly appreciated, aDd after the singing of a hymn by a very strong choir, composed of the Wesleyan choir of Timaru, together with the local one.

Mr Buxton, of Rangitata, addressed the meeting. He was glad to see so many present. He had seen a good deal of the church in Temuka, and he was acquainted with the ministers that had been there for some time, and he could say that the worst years of a minister's life were the last year of his mission, and first year of his marriage. (Laughter.) Temuka had had a good deal of that sort of thing, so much indeed that it was wonderful they had lived through it. He was glad to learn now they were to have the services of an experienced minister. He was a man who liked life, and always loved to see people enjoying themselves. It did them good to be present at such reunions as these, it made himself feel so much younger and happier, that' a friend had remarked to him, he (Mr Buxton) had not got a bit older for the last 10 years. He then alluded to the enjoyment of the world to come, and referred to the departure of the Rev. Mr Roth well. He did not regret that Mr Rothwell was leaving. There was none of*that sham about him. He loved Mr Rothwell as well as he could love a man, but that was no reason why he should make demonstrations of his regret at his departure. The fact was, he did not regret it, for he knew that the Lord had only called on him to work in another part of His vineyard, and that if he did not meet him again on earth they would meet in Heaven where there would be no parting.

The choir next sang " Open ye the Gate" splendidly, their voices blending well together, and Miss Warrington sang "Cleansing Fire" in capital style,

The Rev. Mr Rothwell next addressed the meeting. He regretted leaving Temuka, but he was always ready to go wherever the Lord would call him. He was not leaving them without a shepherd : he left with them an old friend who would very soon endear himself to them. He urged them to always rely on the Lord for support and to be ready at any time to do His work. They wanted talent and genius in the church, but that was not to say. only the talenjed should take part in the work. They should all work, and there was work for all. Miss Fogarty, of Timaru, received an encore for her singing of "Jessie's Dream," and Mr Dimond next made the presentation to Mr Rothwell, particulars of whiGh will be found elsewhere. Miss Brown Bang "Consider the Lillies." She was in excellent voice, and was heard to great advantage. Her singing was a treat.

.The Eev. Mr Clark, of Geraldine, next addressed the meetiDg. He referred lo the departure of Mr Rothwell, arid said the presentation to him showed he carried with him the good will of his congregation. It was wonderful how some people failed to recognise one's worth until the time for parting came, and even then some failed to appreciate one.infuct, some great men had to die to be appreciated. Evidantly it was not so in the case of Mr Rothwell, for tho presentation made to him showed he was appreciated. It mattered little what was done after death, but it often mattered a great deal what wns done while one was alive, as a kind word and due recognition would do a great deal towards helping one along. He never met a young ma-j ho was attracted to so much as Mr Rclh .veil, and he felt sincere regret at parting with him. He hoped they wou'd meet again, if not on earth in Heaven,

The choir sang another anthem, and Miss Foster " He Wipes away the Teai" in a really finished style. The Rev. Mr Thomap, the newly appointed minister of the congregation, uext addressed the meeting. After having in a jocular manner referred to the bantering

of the theological sucklngs, and paying a compliment to the congregation for having manifested their appreciation of the Rev. Mr Rothwell by making him a presentation, he referred to the late Mr Wills. He knew him well - he knew his goodness of heart, and he felt that he was at a disadvantage in coming after him. He felt that he was treading on ground made sacred by his death, and, asked for their earnest prayers and co operation. He asked them to be united, and promised to do all he could in the way of evangelical work whilst amongst them. The choir next Bang "Daughter of Zion."

It should not be forgotten that Miss Brown very ably presided at the harmonium, that Mr Harrison acted as Conductor, and that the efforts of the choir were certainly not the least enjoyable part of the entertainment. This having brought the programme to a close, Mr Miles proposed a rote of thanks to the choir and singers. Mr Thomas Sherratt seconded it and it was carried by acclamation. Mr Thompson, of Pleasant Point, proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies who presided over the tea. Mr Job Brown seconded it, and it was carried. A vote cf thanks to the Chairman and the pronouncing of the Benediction brought the proceedings to a clone. A large quantity of eatables having remained after the tea, they were sold by Dutch auction, Mr JacksoD, the Mayor of Timaru, acting as auctioneer. This proved a most amusing proceeding, with the result that the receipts were considerably augmented by it. PRESENTATION. The Rev. Mr Rothwell, who has been in charge of the Temuka Wesleyan Church for the last six months, may be congratulated on the favorable opinion formed of his zeal and ability by the congregation (o whom he has ministered. No better proof of the esteem in which he is held could be got than the presentation made to him, and the affectionate manner in which he is spoken of by the members of his congregation. Mr Bothwell only came fresh from college to Temuka: it was here he first entered the field of his sacred calling, and the fact that he*has won for himself such recognition in so short a time augurs well for his future success. At the concert last Friday evening Mr Dimoud, on behalf of the congregation, presented him with Bix large volumes of Bible commentaries and the following address : "Temuka, April 3rd, 1885. " Rev. B. F. Rothwell, "Dear Sir,—On the occasion of your retirement from your first ; sphere of ministerial labor, we, as representing the office-bearers, members, and adherents of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the Temuka Circuit, desire to convey to you an expression of the very high esteem in which your ministrations have been held, during the brief peiiod you have occupied the office of pastor. "It causes us great regret that the exigencies of the itinerant system have so soon removed you from a field of usefulness, where there is abundant evidence of your devotion to your Master's cause, and untiring efforts in His service, in the large addition to the Church register, and the improved tone that is apparent in every department of Church work. "We trust that throughout your future career the same devoted service may be still more markedly successful; and we beg your acceptance of a few volumes, as a very small token of our warm regard. "We earnestly pray that the choicest blessing of the Great Head of the CLurch may accompany you through every circumstance of life. jl "Geo. Butler " Alfred J. Dimond ) Stewards."

The Rev. Mr Roth well in. reply ■ said that he could not find words to express his thank fulness for the kind words in which they had referred to him, and the valuable present they had given him. He would value the books, not so much for themselves as for the fact that they would always remind ..him of the kind frionds he had in Temuka. lie thanked them most sincerely for this, and the many other acts of kindness which had been done him since ho came amongst them. He would always value thair present as the dearest of his possessions. The rev. gentleman leaves here next Thursday for Gore, the scene of his future labers, and we sincerely wish him success'.