WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1804, 18 October 1888, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The first of the Home Mission services in connection with the Wesleyan Church, Temuka, was held last evening. The Rev. W. Q. Thomas presided, and there was a good attendance. After devotional exeroise, the chairman read extrtots from the report of the Home Missioo committee. The report itself was of an exhaustive and interesting oharacter, and dealt with the several branches of Mission work. From tho balance-sheet it appeared that; the year was started with a debit balance of £371 6s lOd. The contribution from Temuka was £4loa, an amount which it was confidently hoped wou'd be doubled this year. The Chairman; in the course of his remarks, urged a uniform system of contribution, and drew a striking picture of the privations that some of the mission had to undergo. The Eev. W. B. Marten (Timaru) followed, and, after expressing the gratification he felt at the good attendance, proceeded to explain the benefits; and working of the Home mission. He spoke at some length on the Scandinavian mission, which was apparently in no'very iourishing condition. With regard to contributions, he found, that a penny a month from each registered member of the Wesleyan Ohurch would. yield £3OOO a year, which would be sufficient almost for the mission' requirements. He believed many people gave all that itbey were honestly entitled to contribute, bat free contribution was byi no means general, and too much money was wasted in frivolity and vain pleasures. He spoke very earnestly upon the broader influence of mission work, and urged his hearers to work among themselves. In conclusion, he asked all all.to contribute not merely financially, but to give their prayers for thoso engaged in active mission work. The Rev. J. N. Buttle (Ashburton) gave a most interesting address-dealing, principally with the Maori Mission. Speaking of the work of the earlier missionaries, he expressed his gratitude that none could say that they had sought aggrandisement at * nß expense of; the mitives. Since 1822 when the Rev. S. Lee Btatted the first organised mission station until the war, the work went on more or less steadily. After the war it somewhat declined, and had never since resumed its former energy. He paid a tribute to the work of the missionaries of the Episcopal church, and gave some interesting narratives of early days. Among the early missionaries might be mentioned the Revs, Hobbs, Turner, Wallace, Wbitely (who was murdered), Bundle, Turton, Aldrad, Smailes and Buddie. In conclusion he urged that more strenuous efforts might be made to confer an eternal inheritance upon the native race, who were the finest aboriginals in the world. It was only fair add just that those who had taken from them the land of thair birth, should recompense them to the best of their power. After some further remarks relative to the industrial education of the Maori race, Mr Buttle resumed his seat amid hearty applause. The collection having been made, the Bev. Mr Bonn moved a vote of thanks to the.speakers and to the choir.

This was seconded by Mr H. Miles, and carried by acclamation. Thanks having been returned, the meeting terminated, the Rev. Mr Bunn pronouncing tho Benediction. To-day the foundation stone of the new nburcb will be laid by Mr John Jackion, The ceremony will commence at 4 o'clock. Several addresses will be delivered, and musioal selections will be rendered by the choir. A tea meeting and social gathering takes place in the evening, when ministers and friends will deliver suitable addresses.