WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2205, 23 May 1891, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The anniversary tea and social gathering in connection with the above community was held in the Temuka Volunteer Hall on Thursday evening. There was a capital attendance at tea, which was the gift of lady friends, and, needless to nay, was excellent of its kind. It was dispensed by Mrs McCallum and the Misses Brown (2), Lewis (2), Storey, McCallum, and Young, in such graceful and hospitable fashion as to make all feel heartily welcome. Mi E, U. Miles, the able secretary, was, as usual, indefatigable in his efforts to make everything work smoothly, and in this was eminently successful. After tea a general gathering took place. The Eev. Mr Dellow opened the proceedings with praise and prayer, and then invited Mr J. W. Miles, the senior circuit! steward, to take the chair. Mr J. W. Miles, who was warmly received, apologised for the absenceof Mr S. Buxton, who had been announced to take the chair that evening, aad then proceeded to make a few remarks appropriate to the occasion. He could not help noticing how rapidly the anniversaries appeared to succeed each other, and each brought cause for some rejoicing. They were entering upon another year with high hopes, which he' felt confident would be realised. They were fortunate that

evening having a number of gentlemen ready to address them, and consequently he would not detain them by a long speech, but would call on Mr H. M. Miles to tead the report and balance-sheet of the past year. Prior to the reading of the report the Kev. Mr Bellow sang * Ora pro nobis ’ very effectively, Miss We they playing the accompaniment. Mr H. M. Miles then read the following report “ Mr Chairman, Ladies and HentleI men, —In presenting our annual re- | port, we are pleased to say the income from ordinary sources has enabled us to meet our ordinary liabilities and leave a small balance in hand. Owing to removals and other causes the income from seat rants has been less than in the previous year. It is hoped, ' however, that now, with a larger number of regular worshippers, this falling off may be only temporary. We have to thank Mr T, E. Johnson for a donation to the Church; also Mr James Harrison and others who have rendered valuable serf ices to the choir during the year free of expense, The quarterly payments to the Church Loan .Fund ha ve all been paid to date, reducing our original loan of £3OO to £240. The building still reflects credit on the contractors for substantial character of their work. It has been decided to undertake the enlargement of the parsonage; the argent necessity of this has been felt for many yearn. The work is now in progress, and to defray the cost an appeal is being made, which up to the present has met with a very liberal response. The sale of gifts will take place in this Hall on Saturday, May 30th. The Social Hall has been a source of income as well as a most convenient place for holding, our Sunday school and social gatherings during the year Some improvements have been made to it which will further increase its comfort and convenience. The Eev. Mr Bellow having made a successful start, we are hoping for better times and more liberal support in the future.” The balance-sheet showed the receipts to have been—To balance in hand, 4s 4d; seat rents, £23 KJa j

alanoe of quilt, £l4 11a 9d; Social Hall, £l4 6a; loan, £l3 ; collections Anniversary Sunday, £2 17a; tea, £2 13s 6d j T. E. Johnson, donation, £1; total, £72 7s 7d. Expenditure— By loan fund, £80; caretaker, £l7; improvements Social Hall, £l2 10«; part of loan, £10; lighting, etc., £2 12a 6d; credit balance, 4s 3d; total, £72 7s 7d.—H. M. Miles, Secretary ; B. Brown, Treasurer.' H,The Rev. T. A. Hamilton, who on rising was heartily applauded, expressed bis thanks lor the kindly reception accorded to him that evening. He was glad to be able to congratulate them upon the healthy eondition of their finances, and also as the senior clergyman of the district to extend the hand of fellowship to their paster. He trusted ihet during his stay among them he would earn (be friendship oi all, and when his three years’ term of pastorship was concluded that the parting would be a wrench. After a few humorous remarks Mr Hamilton said that all must feel happy at seeing the work of the Church progressing ae satisfactorily and with such a good future before it. To his mind the secret of happiness consisted in three things—--Ist, to bo be busy, all must be workers iu a common cause and all could find work if they desired it; 2nd, lo be utterly unselfish, always thinking of others instead of themselves; 3rd, not to look too far into the future and let it cloud their happiness. It waa better to think of and aceept the j#y of the present, believing that God would take care of the rest. He referred also to the sympathy that should exist between the members of the congregation and their pastor, sod also the bond of onion between the different congregations, which he compared to the thin colored thread running through the various ropes on Her Majesty’s vessels. There should be a golden thread of sympathy running tbroug all members of the Church of Christ. He believed there was a longing for Christian Union, and it was a hopeful sign to see people rising above the plane of selfiihness, ind seeing things In a broader light. He considered, tbs divisions among the Churches to be the reason of ao much .infidelity. Mr Hamilton concluded his remarks wllb a reference to the time when there would exist spiritual, if not external, unity. Mise Wood (of Timaru) then sang *• Told in the Twilight.” Her pure voice and good expression delighted the audience, who applauded her moat heartily. She was accompanied by Miss Wothey (piano) and Mr Wood (violin). The Rsv. Mr Watters, the next, after a few congratulatory remarks, said that it was the first occasion on which he had bean present at a Wesleyan anniversary. His life as a clergyman had been spent chiefly in rural districts among a rustic population, where the Presbyterian densest largely prevailed. The former speaker had dealt at length with the subject of the sympathy that should exist between the various Churches, and he agreed with him to a great exteot, but it was a difficult thing to really arrive at. It would be a good thing if all the Churches worked towards one another, and not upon diverging lines as at present. In all great matters of faith and doctrine they were really on common ground, and, though there might be surface differences, there was a tendency at the present day towards agreement. Xl was, unfortunately, at one lime a common failing to bo denominational first and Christian afterwards, but they were, happily, getting over that sow. He felt, however, that clergymen had sometimes to fight against one another as it were. It would never do for the pastor of a Church to let bis Congregation slip away to other Churches, and be content wi'h thinking that they Blight Still bd getting good doctrine. Homs people could only be Presbyieiians, while others found no solace except as Wesleyans or Episcopalians, and somstimea a little healthy rivalry was good. It all worked to a good end. It was the result of freedom of thought, and too' much evenness would mean utter stagnation. Differences of opinion often meant educational worth, and mental indolence admitted of no improvement. He concluded by welcoming Mr Dellow to the parish, and expressing bis pleasure at beiog present (hat evening. Mr Wood, the well-known violinist, then, accompanied by Miss Wethey on the piano, played a fantasia on “ The harp that ones thro* lara’s halls, his perfect execution eliciting an encore, which was not responded to, A duet, “ 0 lovely peace, 1 ' by the Rev, Mr Dellow and Miss-Wood, followed, and was well received, . .. The Rev. Mr Williams of Timaru, said that he was glad to join them in welcoming to their minister and'lo'express the utmost gjod wishes for the church at Tsmuka. He fully expected them to go on from' strength to strength,. He was pleased with the addressee he had listened to that evening, particularly with that of the Rev. T. A. Hamilton. He wished a 1 wereaoch as* he, and if snob healthy sentiments continued to exist tbbn the gates of bell ooald not prevail against them. He compared the Church to a ship of war. a fighting ship. Borne did not agree with this. They looked upon the Church as a passenger ship, where they had only to step ou board, select a comfortable berth, blow up (he steward occmoaally, and fin-1 y step safely off upon the golden shore and attain happiness ever after. He himself was more than ever convinced that the Church was a ship of war, and one with no dead heads on board. From Admiral lo powder monkey, all must bo workers, and workers in unity. Continuing the iUustralun, he said that their buds Must be pointed outwards, and not against one soother. He also referred to the fact of the vessels of war of all sixes lying the same fijg, and this should be tile case with the churches, they should fight under the ensign of the cross of Christ. If all would fall into Hue and pour their bioadsides into the ranks of evildoers, what execution they could do. The speaker than referred to the question of prohibition, claiming the right of the clergy to step into the arena, and do battle against the curse of drink, and concluded by risking them a victory in the approaching contjs*. _ Mr W. G. Rutland then sang with much vigor “Arm, Arm, Xe Brave | ” J rum Judas MaccatseJa, «ad was applauded, The Rev. Mr Wood, of Qeraidioe, made a very humorous speech, and ooidiaHy we'comed Mr Drllow. He referred briefly to the necessity for c'argym n to engage actively in ilia crusade against evil, and expressed pride in belonging to a vises who were potj'afraid to coma outjof

' the pulpit to do baltle for the nanny. .He trusted that they would learn to love Mr Deilow, »e he felt sore he deserved to be loved, and that when he left them they would bo sorry to port with him. His address was fuM of apropos little stories, and be concluded it with an amusing instance of the va'ne of brief speeches. Miss Wood then delighted the audience with her pinging of “Angels Ever Bright and Fair.” The Rev. Mr Deilow in a brief speech thanked them most heartily for all their kindly expressions of welcome to him. He felt especially proud at the presence of the ministers of other denomination*. It had never been his lot to be so received before. Ho was especially fortunate in finding that they had common ground to meet, namely, (be furtherance of temperance— a oanss dear to bis heart from boyhood. He was convinced that a man could not be a Christian and not be a total abstainer, although be might bo a total abstainer and not a Christian. He then briefly referred to the addresses already made and urged unanimity but not uniformity, and said that be looked forward to ft time of successful work among them.

Mr Deilow then sang another solo, and afterwards moved a very cordial vote of thanks to the ladies who provided tea, those who dispensed it, to Miss Wethey for her assistance nt the piano, to Messrs Rut land and Wood and Miss Wood for (heir services, to the speakers for their addresses, and to the chairmen. This was carried by acclamation. The Doxology wsa then sung, and the Rev. T. A. Hamilton having pronounced the Benediction, the gathering dispersed.