GERALDINE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2636, 22 March 1894, Page 3

GERALDINE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

anniversary tea in connection with the I’riniitive Methodist Church Sunday Schooi was held on Tuesday evening, when a large number of people sat down to a substantial tea provided by the ladies. The following presided at the tables; — Mrs W. S. Madin, Mrs W. A. Sherratt, and Misses Maslin, Fronting, Andrews, Billings, Sherratt, and Leach. The chapel interior was prettily decorated, and the pulpit festooned with flowers and evergreens. The tea was kindly provided by ladies of the church. After Meeting.

At the after meeting the chapel was crowded to the doors. Mr W. S. Maslin, Superintendent of the Sunday School, presided, and the platform was also occupied by the Rev. H. Williams and Captain Dixon. * large choir of Sunday School children, under the leadership of Mr E._Roh,son, •oitned the meeting with No, 5 in the Children’s Hosanas, followed by another contribution from the choir, “ Welcome, Welcome.”

Mr W. S. Muslin was pleased to preside over the meeting because it was connected with the Sabbath School, lie regarded Sabbath School work as one of the most important works to be engaged in in connection. with tho \Vord of tied. It -children were allowed to sow their wild ods then they became hardened and c-dlous-inimlcd, it was ,a Inrd matter to instil tho truths of Uhristiaimy into their hearts, They tried tu up a «tyUi w

the way it should go, so that when it grew up it would not depart from its training. Rather than giving prominence to ticket and text learning, they tried more to teach the children that there is no true happiness apart from Christ, It was strange that their meeting was on the very eve of a great event in the history of the colony, and he trusted that some of the speakers would touch on the drink question, because if they removed temptation from the young they would do a great work. He was pleased to introduce to them their brand-new minister. The Rev. H. Williams’ ministry in Geraldine, he believed, would be profitable to all concerned. Before concluding he heartily welcomed the Rev. H. Williams as an enthusiastic temperance worker. Lizzie Howard, recitation, “ ’Tis our Father ” ; Misses E. Sherratt and F. Gibson, duet, “ Joyfully sing ”; Gerty Ward, recitation, “Christmas time”; Lottie Maslin, recitation. Mr Amos Sherratt (secretary), spoke of the progress made by the school during the past year. They had 17 teachers and 130 children on the roll, 74 girls and 56 boys. There was an average attendance of 110 every Sunday. They had made great progress in the school, and the best of harmony existed between teachers and scholars. Choir, “ Hosanna in the highest ; recitations, Fanny Jones “ Casting out fear,” Ina Logan “ What’s you bin adoin,” Annie Towzer, “ Little haymakers,” Bertha Sherratt “The little giver ” ; choir, “ Hear the trumpet ” ; recitations, Lizzie Sherratt “ Little Bird,” Elsie Sherratt “ The bonnet,” Zena Scroggie. Captain Dixon, of the Salvation Army, believed, in these small towns especially, that more of practical sympathy was needed to work hand in hand with each other. Whatever their beliefs might be they were all working for the one King, as different regiments in an army. He congratulated the Primitive Methodist Sunday School on the attainment of its seventeenth birthday. He welcomed the Rev. Mr Williams to Geraldine on behalf of the Salvation Army, and in conclusion spoke on the coming licensing election. He said it was a disgrace to the town that several lads about 16 years of age recently got a bottle of whiskey from a publichouse and got behind a hedge and drank it, and aftewards went to the Army barracks the worse for liquor. Captain Dixon sat down amidst loud and very much prolonged applause. Choir, “Jesus the Lamb”; Matilda Billings, Flo Maslin, and Mabel Richards, recitations.

Mr Smith (Temuka), on behalf of friends in his district, extended a hearty welcome to the Rev. Mr Williams to his new circuit. They had been trusting in the “ new broom sweeping clean ” too much, and he hoped now they would alter this state of things and keep their minister amongst them for some time to come.

Misses E. Maslin and M. Morrison, duet, “ I am the way ” ; choir, “ Risen in glory ” ; George Sherratt, Fred Wallock, Miss Annie Bowkett, Fred Maslin, and Ada Hoskins, recitations; choir, “ Glory in the Highest.” The Rev. H. Williams said they could not have chosen a more fitting time to welcome him than at their children’s anniversary, for he loved children and liked to see their smiling, happy faces. As he was referred to as a temperance worker, he mentioned that he was a teetotaler born, and had been so ever since. He was not a Gough, nor an Isitt, but he had always done his best for the temperance cause. He hoped they as a Church would work in a sympathetic union. The work was not. all the preacher’s, neither was it all the people’s, but there should be union of both for success. He hoped the spirit of unity would characterise all their work, lu concluding a brief but apt speech the rev. gentleman addressed a few remarks to the young, urging them to sow good seed in life, scattering kindness whenever they went. The rev. gentleman was loudly applauded. Mr W, S. Maslin then delivered a stirring temperance address, reminding his hearers that it was their duty to vote straight for “no license.” He also explained how prohibitionists were to vote, and gave general advice with regard to the election.

Mr J. M. Sutherland proposed, and Mr Taggart seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to the friends that had provided the tea, to Mr E. Robson, Miss Andrews, Mr Amos Sherratt, and all who had contributed to the success of the anniversary gathering. The choir sang “ Angel Voices,” and the proceedings closed. We might mention that the choir rendered their pieces in an excellent manner, that the pieces by the children were nicely given, and that the recitation of a little girl named Xna Logan was remarkably good for one so very young in years. ____________