PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1881, 20 April 1889, Page 4

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The public meeting held on Wednesday evening at the above Church to welcome the Eev. Gr. Clement, the newly-appointed pastor, was well attended. After a hymn had been sung, Mr Smith (Rangitata) was invited to take the chair.

The chairman expressed his thanks at being granted the opportunity of | presiding that evening, and said that, although he was present at some little inconvenience, he was one of those who felt that everything should give way to religion, and not that religion should be made subservient to everything else. He expressed regret at the want of zeal observable in some of their gatherings, notably at prayer meetings, and ho trusted that a change would noticeable. People seemed to think that they had such a stock of grace that they did not want any more. If they had such a stock they could, at all events, exhibit a spirit of thankfulness, but he could not help Baying that the majority of the congregation seemed as if they had nothing to ask for, and nothing to be grateful for. Such a spirit was infectious, and |ed to lukewarinness. He urged them to more earnestness in religious matters. They were earnest enough about worldly affairs, and could well afford to display similar force ia their search for religious wealth. He invited them to join him in singing a verse of a hymn, beginning " Refining Fire," etc. In conclusion, he made an eloquent appeal to his hearers to push forward the good work. Mr J. Epps, the secretary, then submitted the annual report, in which regret was expressed that success had not attended their financial efforts of the past year. A hope was, however, put forth that the difficulties they labored under would now pass away. Owing to the numerous calls made in connection with the other Churches, little outside help had been obtained. All that had been done had been amongst themselves. Their financial position showed that the mortgage of £BO upon the church had fallen due in October last. The mortgagee, without solicitation, had renewed again at a reduction of 2 per cent. The instalments of interest were due, but towards these almost enough had been raised. The thanks of the congregation were due to the mortgagee for his liberal conduct. The receipts for 1888 were:. Sunday collections, £1 3s; proceeds of tea, £3 Ss 6d; donations, £llss; total, £6 6s 6d. Expenditure: Hue to treasurer, £1 Os 6d; half-year's interest, £3 12s ; provisions, £1 ; insurance, lis 8d; balance in hand, 2s 4d ; total, £G Gs Gd. The "liabilities were: For interest due April 30, £lO 16s; provisions, etc., about £3; total, £l3 16s. Towards this, donations had been received amounting to £5 Is 4d, and Sunday collections 18s; in all, £5 19s 4d. Further promises to the amount of £2 7s 6d had also been received. Mr Epps, in conclusion, expressed himself convinced that the future of the Church was a glorious one, and saw the promise of a great revival. The report was received with applause. Hymn 352 having been sung, the Chairman called upon the Rev. R. S. Bunn to address the meeting. The Eev. Mr Bunn said that he felt very great pleasure in being present that evening. At some of the gatherings he attended there was an order and decorum that was like marble: very beautiful perhaps, but very cold. Here more warmth and fire was experienced. He found them blessed also with a band, about which the speaker made a few amusing remarks. He was delighted to witness the reception of their minister, whom he had met previoutly in a former circuit in Invercartfill, where, he might toll them, the Primitive Methodists were doing excellent work. The speaker briefly referred to the remarks of the chairman and secretary. Their chairman, had " given it to them hot," and the secretary had also seemed to have experienced some little difficulty with the finances. Considering that there was a good harvest and more work, he would advise them to " pay up." He felt pleasure at the spirit of unity evident among them, and said that in time the unity of the soul would come, especially if they did not mar their usefulness by depreciating the work of- other sects. He instanced the marvellous outpouring of the spirit at Woodbury, which he was convinced was the work of God. He felt that soon in every little hamlet there would be a spirit of enquiry. The lack o f all churches was not revivals and missi o ns, although these were blessed, but the want of a home altar. When they prayed let them enter into their closet, and their Father who heard them in secret would reward them openly. The rev. gentleman in the course of his remarks, which were most favorably received, gave some amusing anecdotes.

Previous to the singing of Hymn 395, the chairman congratulated the last speaker upon his knack of securing his hearers' attentions, and trusted that success would follow his labors.

Captain Bates, of the Salvation Army, being unwell, Mrs Bates addressed a few earnest words of exhortation and congratulation to the congregation, and spoke of the different branches of the true vino, all helping to form a perfect whole. She also drew a graphic picture of work done in the way of revival in the Old Country,

The Eev. Mr Woollass (Timaru), after a few preliminary remarks, congratulated them upon their prospects. Their minister was an old comrade o£ his. They left Home together, but were separated on landing for eighteen months, and now he was pleased to say they were again neighbors. He apoke at length upon a mighty revival going on in the north of England, where as many as 3000 converts had been made in a fortnight. He asked them to testify for Christ, for it was from men's lives that the world's knowledge of religion came. He referred to the inconsistencies of some professing Christians, and said that he would rather have a congregation of a dozen earnest souls than a full church of unsanefcified ones. Men should testify practically and at appropriate seasons. They should not speak at unseemly times, and they should act up to what they professed, for it was what men did that helped the cause, and not what was said. They should testify a.lso, because it was their duty, and they should use individual efforts, which was in every case effective. The speaker in conclusion again assured them that in their minister they had a good one, and he hoped they would show their interest by cooperating with him in every way. Hymn 105 having been sung, the chairman announced that on Sunday next there would be a love feast, when all who desired would have an opportunity of testifying. The Rev. Mr Clement, after a few introductory sentences, expressed his pleasure at noticing the sterling ring of devotion visible in the congregation. There was an earnest desire to press onward. He was pleased also to note that members of various congregations were present, for it was right that little differences should on occasions like this be laid aside. He gathered that there was an earnest desire for revival. One element of success in this direction was earnest prayer. Band playing, singing, and so forth were aids, but without prayer they were of little avail. Also they required unlimited faith in God, whose heart was full of love for them. They must also work individually. Prayer, faith, and earnest work were the main elements of spiritual power. He urged them to continued effort, and prayed that their desires might be gratified. Mr Clement's address was interspersed with appropriate illustrations, and was listened to most attentively.

Mr Metson then moved a vote of thanks to the speakers, the chairman, the ladies who had presided at the tea, and all other workers. He also spoke of the finances of the church, and suggested that the mortgage should bo redeemed by means of debentures, which could be taken up by such of the congregation as desired. The votes were carried by acclamation. The benediction having been pronounced by the Eev. Mr Bunn the gathering dispersed.