PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2121, 6 November 1890, Page 2

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH GERALDINE.

XNNIHEBSAEY SEETICES. The anniversary services of the above church were conducted on Sunday last by the Eev. P. W. Jones cf Waddington. At the morning service the church was crowded. Mr Joness took for his text I. Samuel x., 26th, and preached an impressive sermon from the words <( And Saul also went home to Gideon, and there went with him a band of men whose hearts God had touched.” In the afternoon he addressed the children of the Sunday School with their parents and friends. Despite the heavy downpour of rain there was a large gathering of children and the earnest address of the speaker was attentively listened to. In the evening Mr Jones took for text the 17th, 18tb, 19th, and, part .of the 20th verses of the 21st chapter of Acts. The attendance was again very large, and the service a most impressive one. THE TEX MEETING. On Monday evening the usual anniversary tea was held in the church, which was decorated for the occasion, ihe tables, of which there were five, were presided over by the following ladies:—Mesdames T. Sherratt and •5. H. Logan; Mrs A. Sherratt, assisted by Miss Eskett; Mesdamei E. Hammond, C. Major, and G. Fronting ; Mrs Bates, assisted by the Misse* Bates; Mesdamea J. Kennington, and J. M. Sutherland. The tea, which was a most liberal one, was done ample justice to by the large throng of hungry people who attended. THE PUBLIC MEETING. At the public meeting held after-, wards the seating accommodation of. ibe building was taxed to its utmost. Dr K. Eish occupied the chair, and on the platform were the Eev. J. Preston (Anglican), Captain Battray (Salvationist), and Eevs. P. W- Jones, and G. Clement (Primitive Methodists). The chairman congratulated the church on their successful anniversary celebration, and spoke of the progress which the world was making, socially, morally, and spiritually. Anthem, “ I was Glad,” choir.

J Mr R. Hammond, treasurer, read ? the annual report. He showed that * at the commencement of the year ' there was a debt on the church of ' £l9 7s lid. Four friends offered to subscribe £5 each towards this on I condition that the property was made connectional. This was done, new ■ trustees were appointed, and they ! started with a credit balance of 2s Id* The expenditure incurred since iad left them with a deficit of £5 fs 6d, bnt against this there were the collections for the Sunday, the tea and collection that evening,’and the proceeds of the lecture that was to be given the following evening, so that they hoped to start this year with a little more than 2s Id, (Applause^. The Rev. J. Preston, who rest addressed the meeting, urged that there should be more unity among the various sections of Christ’s Church on earth. Some years ago two war vessels overtook each other in the night and fought like bulldogs till morning, and when the daylight broke they discovered that the , British ensign was flying at the masthead of both. Tbe Rev. Mr Jones urged upon bis hearers to take their religion with them into every action of their daily iif©, and never fail to bear their testimony to the truth. (Applause). Quartette by Mrs H. N. Hiskens, Miss Andrews, and Messrs T. and 'u/- ®kerratt, Holiness Becometh « hine House.” Miss Eskett presided

at the harmonium for this selection. Captain Rattray gave a very earnest address, urging upon each and every Church member to be whole hearted m the work of endeavouring te rescue the masses. Mr F. E, Flatman spoke very strongly in favour of doing away with | tae differences that now separated the I churches. He was very glad to see such a number of denominations represented that evening. Authem by the choir. Mr Wreath gave an address on ■Sunday dchool work, pointing out the aims of the Sabbath school teacher.

The Rev. G. Clement spoke of the work of the Church and of the means of accomplishing that worK. Before concluding he expressed hi regret at the unavoidable absence of the Rev. Mr Woollaes, of Timaru, who was dangerously ill. He also proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies and all who had assisted with the entertainment—to the chairman, the choir, and the speakers. The vote was accorded bv acclamation, and after the singing of the anthem “ Trust ye iu the Lord ” by the choir the meeting was terminated with the Benediction.

During the evening the choir, under Mr T. Sherratt’s leadership, rendered several anthems splendidly. THE LECTUBE. On Tuesday evening the P. W. Jones delivered a lecture on “ Martin Luther, the Star of the Reformation.” Owing to other meetings th-. audience was not so large as it would otherwise have been, but those present enjoyed a most pleasant evening.