WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1716, 27 March 1888, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

On last Sundaj the Rev. W. G. Thomas held farewell services in the We3leyan Church, Temuka. The rev. gentleman is leaving the dictrict in complianot) with the usages of the Wesleysn Church, which changes its ministers every three years, and is going to Waitnate. During his three years in this district Mr Thomas fulfilled the duties of his sacred calling in a manner that waß profitable to his own congregation and inoffensive to members of other denominations. He took part in promoting every good work that was started, and was enthusiastic in tho of temperance. Ho was a man who had learned " the luxury of doing good," aßd d'\i it whenever he got an opportunity, and he carries with him to liia new home the good wishes of the community. On Sunday, at 11 a.m., the church was well filled, when he preached a vpry able and eloquent sermon on the text "They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicings : they nhall be brought inlo the palace of the King."—Psalm xliv, 16th verse. They might remember that wln-n coming out to this colony thoir pressing thoughts were, " What sort of a place is Ne*' Zealand," and anyone who could give any information was eagerly questioned. In the same way they might very wall ask what sort of a place Heaven is, and on tir's tho Scriptures supplied ample info r m>itio£. It was a place of bliss and glory and calleil the Palace of the King, and our Saviour had said " In My Father's Kingdom there are many mansions. * When thay read the descriptions written of the sublime and beautiful nature of Heaven, how often did they not feel a desire to see it for themselves. But Heav«n's glory was different from anything earthly--it was of the spiritual order. Things terrestrial were beautiful, but the crowning work of the Great Architect was Heaven itself. Thev always associated beauty with Royally and the King's p:d ic?. Hiera had been gradationi from the beginning, an I there would be to the and. If Socialism were established there would be gradations, for it had been so from the beginning. Wilh the higher orders—tho royalty—they asiociated everything that w,ig beautiful, und consequently they inu«t believe that the " pa<ace of the King" 1 was heautifu', and as they were the children of God they might well hope to reside in it. It was said " that narrow was the way and straight the gate that lead to eternal life," and it appeared a* though a great majority were on the broad rosd to ruin. Bat he placed his faith in the collective testimony of the New Testament, which showed that there would be great multitudes in the palace of the King, and that they nould flock there frorn the north, and the south, and the east, and the west. His earnest prayer was •' God grant it f " They were here as little children at school, waiting ihe day when the vacation would be giveD therr, and thay would be allowed to no home. Their joy would be like that of the J*ws returning from captivity, and as the Jews gajueff numerical strength on the way, he hoped! they would also when,

on their way to the palace of the King. He would again address them that evening, but lest there were some present *ho could not attend in the evening be wished to thank them aM for the many kindnesses he hud experienced at their hands during the three years he bad been amongst them. They were amongst the three most pleasant years he had gpont in the ministry, for though they had not always agreed on everything, yet he had experienced a great deal of sympathy and support, and kindness, and he wished to thank them sincerely for it. He felt great interest in tainperance work, and he Bincerely trusted it would be resuscitated. He did nod wißh to Bay anything of himself further than tbat hi had done his best to preaah to them the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he hoped that at some future occasion he would have the pleasure of renewing acquaintance with them. His fervent pray«r would be that liod would bless them all, and also the whole community. He wished to thank the whole community for the kindness he had experienced, and especially the Editor of the Temuka Leader, who hud alwiys given their meetings fair and good reports—much better than he had been accustomed to elsewhere. la the evening the rev. gentleman preached from " The parable of the Sower,'' when there was h much larger congregation, and bo bid them all farewell.

In view of the early departure of the Rav. W. 6. Thomas from the Temuka circuit, the friends at Hilton some weeks ago decided to arrange for a tea meeting and sacred concert to be held in the schoolroom on Friday, March 23rd. A very bountiful display of good things had been provided gratuitously by the ladies of the congregation. The room was profusely decorated with evergreens, and had a bright and cheery appearance. Tea being over the room was speedily cleared for the concert, at which Mt Job Brown presided with his usual good tact, and in his opening address referred to the value and importance of services being maintained in country places. The Temuka Wesleyan Church choir, with some other friends, attended, and gave a selection of Jubilee s.mgs, and the Misses Meredith and Pawsou contributed duets, to the evident gratification of those present. Addresses were also given by Mr J. W. Miles and the Rev, W, Q. Thomas, the latter reviewing his ministerial labors in this circuit, and also making kindly references to his successor—Rev. R. 5... Bonn—desiring for him the same kindness and consideration he had himself received. In the course of the evening many expressions of sympathy and goodwill were made, alt testifying to the sterling worth of the Rev. W. G. Thomas as a minister and pastor. Mr E. Brown moved a hearty votes of thanks to the ladies who provided the tea, and Mr Burns a similar vote to the choir for their singing. These were carried by acclamation, and the pronouncing of the Benediction brought wnat had proved a very enjoyable meeting to a close.