TEMUKA WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2571, 21 October 1893, Page 3

TEMUKA WESLEYAN CHURCH.

The social in connection with the above took place on Thursday night, and was in every sense of the word a success, the outside public giving most liberal patronage, and Presbyterian friends being conspicuous in representatives. All present were loud in their praises of the decoration of the little Social Hall, which had been changed from its usual rather gloomy appearance to a bright and pleasant nook of retreat where tea is usually dispensed, thanks to a number of the members of the congregation, most prominent amongst whom Wfere Mrs Dellow, Misses Every and Storey, and Rev. J. Dellow, Messrs Morrison, Beaumont, and others. The tea, which was of first-class quality, was the gift of Mrs Dellow, and, with the aid of Mrs Morrison, almost wholly the work of her own hands. The verdict of those competent to judge was “Just splendid,” and the good things provided were placed to best advantage on tables presided over by Mesdames Dellow and Morrison, and Misses Every and Storey, There were three sittings of sympathisers, who gave just the help required—“ their presence.” All combined to give a happy and pleasant tone to the whole—which was one of the most successful socials held in connection with this Church for ajong time, the probable net proceeds being about £7. After tea an adjournment was made to the church, which was well filled, a large number attending who had not an opportunity of being present earlier. The chair was taken by Mr J. W. Miles, and the meeting was opened with prayer and praise. The chairman then introduced the Rev. Mr Beecroft, who had kindly consented to give them some account of his experiences while acting as minister of a circuit in the East End of Lcndon.

Mr Beeoroft, who was received with applause, referred to the difficulty of doing justice to such a subject as Life in the Bast End of London in the course of the brief space at his disposal. His audience would realise this wheu he told them that the catalogues of books referring to London alone weighed over 14 cwt., and if they could grasp the fact that the population was somewhere about 5 millions, that 30 deaths and 50 births took place in London every 2 hours ; or, as had been computed, there was a birth every 24 rqhuftea. and a death every 5 minutes. The food consumption was enormous, one day’s bread supply representing close on 6000 tons. In the course of his lifetime 2000 miles of streets hid been built, Mr Beeoroft then referred mope particularly to his own life in London. The district in which he was more particularly interested was that about St. Catherine’s, aud the Victoria and Albert docks, a description of which was given. A touching reference was made to the poverty of the place, the Squalid homes of the dock laborers, and the general struggle for existence consequent upon a congested state of the Iqbqr qifirlfpt. Jt. was evident from his story that the miseries of the London poqr could not be exaggerated. After a solo from the Rev, Mr Hollow, “ The Toilers,” the lecturer disc ursed in brighter fashion, giving an account of the open market and shops in the Victoria Dock Road. The vendors of luqryellous cough cores* tl|Q Rhb staßs, qqtiug houses, qqq Becqqc|-Raml clothes stalls were humorously described, aud a hew** : laugh was elicited by tlm sale of mutton lltch anctioi ; Afl lecturer dryly reujfll’ke no feared from the prices realised that an intelligent jury if called upon to state how the sheep furnishing the legs of mutton sold had come by their deaths they would in all sincerity say that it was from “ natural causes only.” The recreations of the people came in for a share of attention. These appeared to consist principally of tho gantlo sports of “Aunt Sally ” and, merry-go-rounds. Music was

provided by German bands and a conglomeration' of instruments driven by steam and termed a melodeon. Of both classes of music the lecturer evidently had little appreciation. In conclusion the lecturer referred briefly to several things in New Zealand that he had not yet learned to appreciate, such as sliprails, barb wire, and larrikins, and regretted that the time at his disposal did not admit of some further being given of the spiritual work in which he had engaged. The lecture, which was given in a pleasant, conversational style, was much appreciated, and the thanks of the audience were conveyed to the lecturer by the Rev. J. Bellow in a hearty speech. The Rev. Mr Beecroft, in acknowledging the vote, asked the audience to thank the choir for their services that evening, the several selections which they had given having proved most enjoyable. Mr Grainger moved a vote of thanks to Mrs Bellow for providing the tea, and the meeting terminated with the doxology and benediction.