PTTMTTTVE METHODIST CHURCH GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2430, 26 November 1892, Page 3

PTTMTTTVE METHODIST CHURCH GERALDINE.

the tea., Lsat Thursday evening the anniversary soiree of this church was held on a much larger scale than We have ever known it to be before. The Volunteer Hall was taken this year and at the tea every seat was taken up, and a good many sat down after the others had finished. The tables were given as under ; -—No. 1. Mrs Amos Sherratt; assistants at table, Misses Stonehouse, No, 2, Mrs Maslin ; assistant, Miss E. Maslin. No. 3. Mrs T. Sherratt and Mrs Logan; assistant, Miss Hawke, No. 4, Mesdames Hammond, Keunington, and C. E. Sherratt; assistants, Mesdames Orafer and Fronting. Bachelor’s Table;’ assistants, Misses Dunlop and McKenzie, and Messrs Dalton and E. Robson. The tea and eatables were first class, and all present were fully satisfied that it was the best meeting of its kind ever held in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church at Geraldine.

THE AFTER MEETING. At the after meeting there was a very gratifying attendance, the seating room of the hall being all taken up. This year a yeiy piping departure was made in the after meeting, Instead of the usually dry parsonic speeches on the quality of the tea, etc., a pretty cantata, entitled “ Esther,” was rendered. Before this, however, the Rev. W, Woollass made a brief speech. He was extremely pleased to see such a large company present. Unfortunately their old enemy, the influenza, was amongst them ftgWl, and this, besides attapkjng some of their best (lingers had no doubt prevented many others from attending the meeting who would have been present. Mr T. Shorratt had worked very hard at the cantata, and he was sure it would be a great treat. Speaking on the state of the church he said that the friends had altered the building last year but unfortunately they had not paid for it, and left it as a heritage for him or somebody else. He did not care for that kind of legacy alb The balance-sheet showed receipts £2O Os 3d, oyperiditiu’e S3B 89 3d, and they now had ap‘Overdraft at the bank of about £2O. qtyey hop.pd the present anniversary meeting wonfd cleay them of this overdraft: hfp had only been with them about eight months, and he could hardly judge in that time of the most important part of the Church work—tho spiritual advance of tho Church. At their church services had been held both morning and evening—the church was very often too full, qud hp believed a good many had beep spiritually blessed by these services. Ho thought if they looked to the spiritual advancement of the church, they would be 6W« to succeed financially, lie was glad

Ito see such a large sprinkling of mem - bers of other churches present that night —it showed fraternal feeling. The Rev. Mr Preston had sent an apology that he had influenza and was unable to be present. He was also very sorry for the circumstances that prevented the Rev. A. B. Todd from attending. He was certain that they all sympathized with him at the loss of his esteemed mother, and they could only pray God’s blessing to rest upon him and support him in his sore bereavement.

The cantata was then gone on with, the Rev. VV. Woollass giving the connective readings. A strong choir of forty voices, made up from the choirs of several denominations of Geraldine and friends, rendered the musical items. In addition to the choir the tone of the music was greatly enhanced by an orchestra made up as follows : —Piano, Miss Fish ; clarionet, Mr Crowe; violins, Miss Shiers, and Messrs A Sherratt and E. Robson ; cornet, Mr Colbert; euphonium, Mr R. Stonehouse. The whole was under the able conductorship of Mr T. and some first class music was made of some or the pieces. “ Haste to the Banquet Hall” was a gem. Although there were numerous rests in this piece the voices and instruments kept splendid time throughout, and the orchestral music at the rests was exceptionally pretty. The characters in the cantata were well arranged Miss Andrews was in good form as Queen Esther (soprano) and sang well all the evening. Ahasuerus, the king (baas), found an able expositor in Mr 0. E. Sherratt. Zerish, Haman’s wife (contralto), was in the hands of Miss E. Sherratt; Mordecai (tenor), was well represented by Mr E. Logan; and the part of Queen’s First Maid of Honour (soprano), was nicely taken by Miss Dunlop. The High Priest (baritone), was alloted to Mr Calder, and Hegai (bass), to Mr E. Robson. At the conclusion of the cantata Mr R. Hammond moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr T. Sherratt, the united choirs, the ladies who had provided tables, and all who had in any way assisted at the soiree and cantata. Mr Dalton seconded this and it was carried by acclamation. Special mention should be made of Miss Fish, who officiated at the piano. This young lady is always very obliging and willing to help in a good cause.