PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2436, 10 December 1892, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH TEMUKA.

The church just erected at Temuka in connection with the Primitive Methodist persuasion was formally opened on Thursday afternoon. The building, which is Conveniently situated at the corner of Studholrae and Denmark streets, is of neat design, and when painted will be an ornament to the township, as well as a credit to the Church members who have worked so hard to secure its erection. Its length is 45ft., breadth 24ft., and height of wall 14ft, It is 23ft. to the apex of the roof, which has five principals. The porch fronts on Denmark street, and is approached by a flight of concrete steps. The doors are of massive construction, having raised panels. The building is well lighted with eight circularheaded windows, and is match-lined and dadoed. It is intended to scrim and paper the walls and varnish the roof-lining and principals. At the south end is the rostrum, roomy and neftt. Tfio spats are not yet finished, but when completed they will furnish accommodation for about 1(50 persons. Altogether the building is a credit to the architect, Mr James Blyth, and to the contractors, Messrs Clinch & IJoyd, who have admirably carried opt his design?. As may bo imagined, the preparations for the opening ceremony entailed a good deal of trouble and forethought, but under Mr Woollass’ able supervision everything passed off pleasantly, In the afteynqqu the Rev. Mr Gopher, of Ashburton, conducted Divine service and preached an appropriate sermon. At this service there was a good attendance. In the evening Mosdames Lloyd, Hooper, Bryant, Matson, Freddy and Fletcher, dispensed tea, to a large number who assembled in the new church. Among those present wore visitors from Geraldine, Timam, and the district generally, The tea was the gift of Mr Thos. Barr, who has displayed a kindly interest in the community for many years. After tea a public meeting was held in the church, and there was a large attendance. The chair was opcupio I by Mr ,T. T, M. (who after tip singing of Onward Christian jgol'cliofs F ami' a few introductory remark's from the Rev. Mr Woollas who apologised iqr the absence of the Revs. Dickson and arris,)'asked the attention of the audience to an explanation of tip finanpjal position ot the hliurch.' This‘was given by Mr Woollass and was of a very encouraging character. It appeared that a anrolus remained from the cake and apron fair of £oi 8s which was the nucleus of the fund. The section originally occupied was sold for £l7 10s. Mr Fletcher g ive a donation of £|o as well {vs lij,bor and material, whipli Mr Woo||a:j said wa. cheap at £SQ and handsome donatio is amounting in all to abont £SO , were received {rein Messrs E, Brattley,

Gr. Freddy, R. Metson, J. Epps, J. Airay, Mrs Parke, J. Guild,Dr Hayes,R. Austin, J. T. M. Hayhurst,'A. Morton, A. E. G.

Rhodes, C. McKenzie, A. McKenzie and F. Sutherland. The collection on the stone at the foundation laying, together with small donations and a loan from Mr

Robt. Bowie of £l5O, made up a total of £314 7s 2d. In the matter of expenditure the principal ilems were harmonium £l2, sections £SO, progress payment on building £200; removing old church, etc,, £ll 17s ; debt on old church, paid, £2O ; deeds, £4 12s lOd. Another £SO was due to the contractors and this, except the mortgage, was practically all the debt they had to contend with. The chairman then addressed the meeting, and in a few brief sentences congratulated them upon the satisfactory condition of the finances and upon their enterprise in commencing to enlarge their church building m such dull times. He considered they liad every reason to be thankful. Having secured a building the next thing they had to do was to fill it. If th«y succeeded in this it was more than the other churches could do. He really saw no reason, however, why their efforts in this direction should not be successful. With regard to their financial position it was like that of most churches. Many people thought a church was not prosperous unless it was in debt. A certain amount of debt certainly px’oved an incentive to exertion,. but whatever other people’s opinion on the subject might be, he certainly hoped the Primitive Methodists might be able to extinguish their liabilities in a short time.

After a hymn by the choir, with Miss Goodey officiating at the harmonium, the Rev. Mr Woodward, of Timaru, was introduced. After a few introductory remarks, in the course of which he added his congratulations to those of the chairman, in the matter of the erection of the present building, its appearance, and the financial position. He then in a very earnest manner spoke at some lexigth on the “ Religion of the Times.” One of the features of the age was progress. As the result of progress made, things once highly esteemed had been swept away and what was wanted now was a religion of deeds and not merely creeds. The world was calling for strong, united action, For modes of faith Let senseless bigots fight.

Their course was not only to endeavour to attain to higher spheres but to take others with them. In some things the Socialists by practising altruism set them an example they might well follow. They tried to introduce measures that would ameliorate the condition of all, and the Church was awakening to the fact that the religion of brotherhood was the religion of the day, a religion that would tell of a life beyond the grave, a religion that would speak of comfort to the wife and to the mother when one nearest them lay in the thraldom of death, one, in short, that carried with it an influence solely for good and free from petty influences and strifes of all descriptions. Mrs Warburton sang “ 0 Rest in the Lord” very sweetly and was applauded. The next speaker was the Rev. Mr Boothroyd, who selected for his subject “ How God’s work had been going on.” In a graphic manner he traced the progress of the Methodist Church throughout the world. He referred also to the general extension of missions, the circulation of the Bible, the progress of temperance doctrines, and besought his hearers to be earnest in their prayers for their blessings on the work. His address was of an interesting character and well received. The Rev. Mr Cocker devoted his attention to discussing the question of “ How they were getting along,” and from his account of the matter it appeared that the Mthodists for the last 82 years had erected a church every week, and last year as many as 63 in 52 weeks. He spoke also on the subject of the church’s progress from the Episcopalian definition, that is, “ where two or three were gathered together.” If they realised that such constituted in a church then they might rely that there would be a more universal spirit of brotherhood, and that the dark places would be illumined with Christ’s torch.

Mr Cocker’s address was a long one, and interspersed with many humourous anecdotes. He was followed by Mr Colin Mackenzie, to whom the occasion had a special significance as representing the completion of a work in the inaguration of which he had through toeir kindness been allowed to take an important part.

Mr W. Smith also delivered a brief but appropriate address, after which the Rev. Mr Woollass rose to propose a vote of thanks. He referred to the kindness of Mr Hayhurst in coming forward that evening, and hoped to see him present on many other occasions. He desired on behalf of the congregation to convey to all who had assisted financially, or otherwise, their most hearty thanks. He made special mention of Mr Barr, who had given the tea, and of Mr Blyth, whp ,iad given the plans and specifications, and he asked them to carry a vote of thanks by acclamation. This was done most cordially after the rpotipn had been seconded by My W. Fletcher in a few emphatic words, In the course of his speech he endorsed the Rev. Mr Woollass remarks re the chairman and Mr Blyth and of the latter said, that so carefully had ho gone into the calculations of the cost of the church that if they had adhered to the original design the building would now have been practically paid for. Mr Hayhurst briefly returned thanks, and a hymn having been sung by the choir, and a collection taken up, the Benediction was pronounced, and the meeting terminated.

A InmiENT Sentence. —There is considerable dissatisfaction at Wellington with the decision of the Resident Magistrate in letting a man who bit a constable’s thumb nearly off with a small fine and four days’ imprisonment. It appears that the unfortunate policeman may have to have hia thumb amputated, and meanwhile he is in great pain. One paper pertinently asks how the police can be expected to interfere in street rows when the bench shelters offenders in this way.

The Native Minister in Otago.—The Hon. A. P. Cadman, Native Minister, visited the Kaik at Otago Heads on Thursday. where he was hospitably Received. The occasion was a notable «»o, as though the late once visited the Kaik, he did uoiiukillv, and this was the first time a Native Minister had paid an official visit. After greetings the qnestion of native claims for “tenths” of land comprised in the Otago block ai\d for the Dunedin boat reserve in Rrluces street, or its value the claim amounting in all to considerably over ai1,000,000, was opened. The claim Is being prosecuted by Mr T. Kellison, solicitor, Wellington, and Mr R. Garrick, agent The Minister let the meeting clearly understand that he considered the natives had no claim, cither in respect of tenths, or of the boar reserve. He subsequently discussed with them the subject of making provision for the landless. Three pieces of land have been net apart in the hope of meeting the'cases. One is a block ’of- 40,005 acres below the Waian, Southland, another comprises 7000 to 8000 acres of Tautuku bush, Gatlins; and a third is Lake Wauaku.