THE CENTENARY OF JOHN WESLEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2171, 5 March 1891, Page 2

THE CENTENARY OF JOHN WESLEY.

At the Wesleyan Church, Temuka, the Bev. E, S. Bunn on Sunday last preached sermons having special reference to the celebration of the Gentenary o£ John Wesley. In the evening the text was taken from Genesis xxxii., part of the 10th verse, " For with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands." In his prefatory remarks Mr Buun said that there was a great charm, and intense pleasure, in tracing rivers to their source, or working out the origin of mighty structures, or trying to understand what had given rise to anything of special note, and this pleasure was intensified in tracing the careers of the champions whom i Almighty God raised up to do mighty works. These champions did not alwayß exhibit in their early days signs of their ultimate greatness, and the rev. gentleman then, from the life of Jacob, drew nereral striking instances of the methods of God's mysterious workings. Referring to John "Wesley he drew a picture of his early home, the piety of his mother, and the denial exercised is rearing and educating 14 children. Their educational attainments were remarkable, inasmuch as even the daughters were able to read Greek fluently, while several members ot the family were skilled in music and poetry. Wesley's life at college was traced, where, with so small an income that he was often dependent upon his brother collegiates, he yet managed to help in gaol, hospital, and charitable works. No self-denial was too great if he felt his works were acceptable to God. His career in America was briefly traced, and the influence exercised upon him by Moravian doctrines. Mr Bonn claimed that Wesley's influence was felt through all the Churches. The growth of the Methodist body had been extraordinary. They were now 1 the largest body of Protestants in the world. Their organisations were strong, and their members influential for good. Of especial yalue was their Sabbath School organisation. The American Methodists number their : children by millions, The Methodist body, too, had greatly encouraged local preachers, and much good had been done thereby. He instanced several, especially the well-known Billy Dawson. Speaking of the future of the Church it was hard to prophesy what would be its ultimate limit. At the present time the Americans were building churches at the rate of nine in seven days; In England for two consecutive yeans five were erected each week. In concluding his address Mr Bunn recalled the enthusiasm of the early Methodists and urged his hearers to continue in their footsteps, Ihere were good congregations, Mr Buxton presided at the harmonium.