TEMUKA WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1562, 31 March 1887, Page 3

TEMUKA WESLEYAN CHURCH.

The anniversary of the Temuka Wesleyan Ohnroh was celebrated lait evening with a tea end public meeting held in the Ohuroh. There was a very large attendance, aad there wee no (tint of eatables of a first-class quell'j The tables were preiided over by M'idacaei Lewie, B. Brown, and Barr, and Misses Lowis (8), and Misses Brown (2). The tea was not over until 8 o’clock, when, after the Ohnroh had bean put in order, a public meeting was held, with the Rer. Mr Them, as in the chair. The rev. Chairman read the annual report. It stated there was no debt on the church or the parsonage, but they were on the wrong aide for the 12 montha to the extent of £27 He paid a high compliment to Mrs Holwell, at whose instigation the parsonage had been painted j also to Mr James Harrison, leader of the choir,"and Misi Brown aa organiate. I He spoke very hopefully of the Sunday School, of the late mission conducted by the Rev, Mr Smalley, and of the spiritual con* dition of the congregation After the singing of a hymn, the rsr. Chairman, in a few word*, introduced The Rer. Mr Dean, who congratulated the congregation on the excellent report read. He felt great pleasure in the prosperity of every Church. They had cause to rejoice because the ministrations of God had not bsen in vain. It spiritual power were lacking there could be no prosperity, for Church prosperity consisted of the realisation of spiritual life. He earnestly hoped that the coining year would be equally prosperous wi h them in the ingathering of souls. He urged them to do something in their homei, and not be Inkewarm there, for, if they did, they would bare prosperous churches. They must have religion as ths presiding genius in the household. And let them not limit their attention to their own families, but do all they could in promoting Christian work. Hs told some anecdotes explanatory of how this could be done jooioionely, and wonnd up by wishing prosperity to all the churches in the district. The Rev. GK Barclay next addressed the meeting. He had great pleasure in being prefect, but never felt much at making inch speeches as were generally mada at sneh met tings as these. Hs could do nothing but show his sympathy, It was right that persons of Christian denominations should exhibit sympathy Lr the members of churches othsr than their own. He held that the ehurehec bad a Divins origin, notwithstanding what scepticism had to say against it. Nature, our conscience, the miracles, the prophecies, and the pictures drawn of Jesus Ohrist proved the existence 1 of God. The Ohuroh of Ohrist was doing the most for the progreie and comfort of mankind. It was inculcating morality and virtue, and if taken away they would go back to barbarism. He then referred to the existence of a soul, and said it could only be oleanied in the Gospel of Ohrist. He referred to the deficit in report, and said they were ■ot singular in that way; they had raspeotabla company, but ha hoped they would very soon pay it off. 9omo people objected to anything being said about money, but carpenters would not make churohei, botchers and bakers would not supply the ministers with bread and meat, without monoy, and it beeams neees* ■ary to speak out sometimes. Sometimes it was ridiculed, but sensible people would see the absolute necessity for it, and if they did not aasist they were not worthy of having a Ohnroh or a Minister. Oaptsin Molonei, of the Salvation Army, next addressed the meeting. He was glad to be present, and that all wera working for the same Master. He had been verymueh taken up with the Weeleyani sineo the week’s mission there He never spent snob a spiritual week. He urged them all to work for Qod’e grace, and to go into the work with all their bearte. There was only a debt of 15s on the Salvation Army in Temuka, and ha felt inra that if they prayed diligently God would not see them short of money. This would be the last time that he wonld be with them, but he hoped to eee them where parting would be no more. The Rev. Mr Whits, of Pleaiant Point, congratulated them on their report. The Ohuroh was different from any other inatt* tution, and if they relied more on Ohriet they wonld be batter off. The best way for a minister to get hie s'ipend waa to be a good earnest minister. He referred to the sympathy which should exist bstwesn ehristiani and said ha did not care what the denomination was unless its members sympathisss with all Christians, they would not have the blessing. They must be united and lore each other, for without this they could not please God. Everything they had should be consecrated to God, and they should give their soul and mind entirely to Him, Ha hoped they wonld succeed aad that the coming year, would be prosperous with them. Mr J. Brown next moved a vote of thanks to the ladies who had provided the tea. He thought also the man who bad supplied the ladies with money deserved to be included. He would wish to see all the ministers uniting together in evangelistic services, and if this wera dona God’s blessing would fall upon this community in a manner never known before. The ministers must lead the way, and if they did the looks wonld follow, He wound up by adding to the vote of thank* the rev. gentlemen who bad addressed the meeting, the Oheirman, and ths organieto. The Rev. Mr Thomas intimated that he would be moet willing to take part in evangelistic services. Mr Brown said that at one table he waa promised in an hour that avening ill i towards building a new church. He hoped more wonld eoma forward, Mr Milei eeoonded the vote of thanks, wbioh was carried by acclamation. During tha evening eereral hymne were eung by a very efficient choir, nnder the leadership of Mr James Harrison, with Mies Browa officiating ss organists. The proceed* inge earns to a close at 10 o’clock.