PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1475, 4 March 1886, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, GERALDINE.

On Tuesday evening last a farewell soiree was given in the Primitive Methodist Church, Geraldine to the Rev. H. Clark, who is on the eve of leaving for the North Island, to take charge of the station at Feilding. A largo number of persons sat down to a splendid tea, provided by ladies of the congregation and friends, the tables being presided over by the following ladies Mrs A. Sherratt, Miss Luntley, and Mrs Geo. Fronting; Mrs Sutherland, Miss Maslin and Miss Andrews ; Mrs Dunlop and Miss Hamilton, After full justice had been done to the good things provided, the fables were cleared away and the room prepared for the public meeting. Mr Angus Macdonald occupied the chair, and with him on the platform were the Revs. H. Clark and Geo. Barclay, and Messrs J, Huffey and W. S. Maslin. Mr Clark apologised for the absence of the Rev. W. G. Thomas, An efficient choir under the leadership of Mr C. 15. Sherratt opened the meeting by singing !he 43rd hymn, the harmonium being presided over by Mr T. Sherratt. The choir rendered some nice anthems between the speeches during the evening, and these with a solo by Miss Andrews were much appreciated. The Chairman, after being introduced by Mr Clark, expressed the honor and pleasure ha felt in presiding on tho occasion, and after a few pleasant remarks wished that all might spend a pleasant evening. Mr W. S, Maslin was the first speaker called upon, and he said he felt gratified to see such a representative gathering. He thought it showed the great sympathy that underlies all sectarian feelings, and which should be displayed on occasions ot the kind by one church towards another. He then referred to the system of changing ministers, which at times was an advantage to a church, but at others it was not ; and he thought ho was only speaking the sentiments of all members of the church when he said that during the time Mr Clark had been with them the church bad progressed both spiritually and financially, and if Mr Clark continued in the course which he had begun with them he was sure that a grand future lay before him. Mr Clark was held in high respect both inside and outside the church, and the large attendance was a token of it.

Mr J. Huffey was next called upon, and expressed pleasure at meeting sections of all denominations on a social platform. Mr Clark’s labors had been a great success during the two years ho had been amongst them, and he felt sure the Spirit which had sustained him would carry him on in a career of success, and he would finally have a great day of rejoicing at the throne of God. The Bev. Geo. Barclay, in the course of a humorous speech, said it was not difficult to realise the object which had brought them together that evening. It was to give an expression of kin ly wishes to Mr Clark, who was about to leave them, and to hope that be would meet with prosperity in his new sphere, he could safely say Mr Clark had carried out his duties while in Geraldine both faithfully and efficiently.

The Eev. Mr Clark said he felt very pleased personally to see such a large gathering, and there were very few present whom he could not call personal friends. When he first came amongst them be had desired to win their affections, and since he had been in Geraldine he felt that a great deal of affection had been exchanged between them. He was very sorry to leave them, and he felt that their presence was a manifestation of kindly feeling towards him He had felt at times as though he could not do enough to repay the kindness which had been shown towards him. Mr Clark concluded his speech by asking that they would treat his successor, Mr Boothroyd, in the same manner in which he had been treated, and he would be sure to succeed.

Mr Amos Sherratt proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers, the choir, and ihe ladies who had provided and dispensed the tea, and Mr Clark briefly returned thanks.

The pronouncing of the Benediction brought a very pleasant and social gathering to a close.

TEMPERANCE CONFERENCE,

The Conference of temperance delegates at Wellington from various parts of tbe colony opened on Tuesday morning, for tbe purpose of establishing a New Zealand Alliance. Sir William Fox was in the chair. Mr Harding, ofHawkesßay, explained the object for which the Conference was called, and showed the importance of union between the several Temperance Alliances in the colony. The following report was brought up at the Temperance Conference ;—Platform — (1) That it is neither right nor politic for the State to give legal protection and sanction to any bathe or system that tends to increase crime, to waste the national resources, and to corrupt the social habits and to destroy the health and lives of the people. (2) That the traffic in intoxicating liquors as common beverages is inimical to the true interests of the individual and to the order and welfare of society, and ought therefore to be prohibited. (2) That history and the results of past legislation in regard to the liquor traffic abundantly prove that it is impossible srtisfactorily to limit or regulate a system which is so essentially mischievous in its tendencies. (4) That no consideration of private gain or public revenue can -justify the upholding of a system which is utterly wrong in principle, suicidal in policy, and disastrous in its results as ia the traffic of intoxicating liquors. (5) That lesislative prohibition of i lie liquor traffic is perfectly compatible with rational liberty, and with all the claims of justice and legitimate commerce. ((3) That the Legislative suppression and prohibition of the liquor traffic would be highly conducive to the development of progressive civilisation. (7) That rising above class, sectarian, and party considerations, all good citizens should combine to procure an enactment prohibiting the sale of intoxicating beverages, as affording the most efficient means of ridding the community of the appalling evils of intemperance. Policy. —The Alliance has been instituted for the suppression and prohibition of the liquor traffic. It seeks to unite in this effort these who who are not abstainers, as well as those who are, there being many who though they themselves are moderate of alcoholic liquors,

deplore the waste and misery caused by their legalised sale. The immediate aim of the Alliance is to secure for the people direct power to veto the liquor traffic. This Alliance believes that when the people possess this power, with sufficient facility for its exercise, they will free the colony of the heaviest burden that is laid upon its financial resources, and from the principal cause of its disease, destitution, and crime. To attain this, members of the Alliance are expected to use all the influence they possess to secure the election to Parliament and to all other positions of power, of such candidates as are favorable to the principles of the Alliance. The acceptance of those principles, with an annual subscription of not less than 2s 6d, constitutes membership. The Executive will account annually in its report for the revenue derived from this and other sources, and the disbursement thereof.

A deputation was appointed to wait on (lie Minister of Justice calling attention to the unsatisfactory way in which Magistrates deal with cases of breaches of the Licensing Act brought before them. At the Temperance Conference on Tuesday afternoon the following resolution was carried : “That while tho immediate aim of the Alliance is to secure a distinct popular veto, wo will do our utmost to promote a clear understanding of the existing local option clauses, and urge upon the people a fuller exercise of such powers as they confer ; that the Alliance will do all in its power in giving its moral support to Magistrates, the police force, and others administering the licensing law* to enforce its provisions ; that the Executive bo requested to prepare and issue to every centre of population, and also to any persons interested in the movement, instructions for forming auxiliaries in the various districts.” The Conference closed on Tuesday afternoon. A resolution was carried to the effect—That inasmuch as a general election must ere long, and may at any time, take place, it is of supreme importance that the opinions of the people on the local option question should be adequately represented in Parliament. We urge temperance voters to take action to insure this end.” The first Executive meeting will be held on the first Tuesday in March next.