WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2645, 12 April 1894, Page 3

WESLEYAN CHURCH.

■ Last Sunday the Rev. J. Dellow, who has been in charge of the Temuka Wesleyan Circuit for the last three years, and is about to commence a term of service at Woodend, preached his farewell sermons. At both the morning and evening services there were large congregations. In the evening the rev. gentleman took for his text the last two verses of the 12th chapter of I. Samuel; “ Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider the great things He hath done for you. Hut if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.” The preacher briefly sketched the life of the prophet Samuel—the last of the Judges who had guided Israel—and pointed out that at the time he had uttered the warning words of the text he (an old man, full of years) was about to retire from public life, as the people had clamored for, and the Lord had granted them, a king. The noble, spotless character of Samual was dwelt on, and the preacher then referred to his own approaching departure. When he came to the circuit three years ago he had heard that it had been said a few days before he came that he was ,a “John Blunt,” and now it was very likely many would say that that was true. He always tried to say what he meant. If language was not given to people for the purpose of expressing what they meant he did not know what it was given to thrm for. Of course, a man was not responsible for the meaning that might be put on his words by others. All he could do was to express himself in plain words. During his term of service he had endeavored to do his duty fearlessly. He then referred to the blessings we enjoy in the colony. He had not travelled in many countries, but in the course of his life he had met many who had, and they all assured him that New Zealand was one of the most favored spots of the earth, and he noticed that those who left it on a visit to the “ Old Country ” were glad to return to our sunny shores. They bad had two wet harvests, followed by a bad cue, and in consequence they were loud in their lamentation, But in other countries at times they had no harvest, and God had abundantly blessed them in bringing them here. They had much to be thankful for. There was abundance of food for all, and their climate was of the healthiest. His whole intere ts were bound up in New Zealand, and he desired to see it prosper. He would point out that there were great dangers looming in the future, which, unless they were met and grappled with and destroyed, would prove the ruin of the country. He briefly alluded to the curse of intemperance, and then dealt more fully with gambling and smoking. He urged on parents and young people to set their faces like flint against these things. It was a pitiable thing to see little * boys smoking cigarettes. He could not understand how they got them. If parents gave them the money to buy them thej were committing a great crime. A pareul when he gave a child money should asl him how he intended to spend it, and ther advise the child how to lay it out to th( best advantage —teach him the value ol money. As to gambling, even th< Churches were not free from it—theyhac their raffles at their bazaars, etc. How could their preachers denounce the via of gambling when it was practiced ii their own Churches ? He besought hi hearers to make up their minds to havi nothing to do with it in the future, an< to do their utmost to banish it from th laud. In concluding, be said he shouh always feel the deepest interest in Ternukt and if at any time he could do them an; service he would be glad to do so. The above is only a brief outline of M Bellow’s addrews, which lasted for abou an boar. After the service between thirty am forty of those present stayed to partak of Holy Communion. A valedictory to the Rev. J. Dello’ was held in tha church ou Monday evei jng, and was very largely attended. M J. W. Miles presided, and in openin briefly explained the object of the gathe: iug, and the impossibility of the Rev. 3VJ Bellow being able to pay all his friends farewell visit at their homes, howev< much ho may have desired to do so. T 1 system that provided for these periodic! changes of the pastorate was often f such meetings very freely criticise) Admittedly there were two sides to it, : to most questions. In his opinion tl days of very lengthened ministerial ton of service to the same congregation wei fast passing away. There were, of couivand always would he, men whoso gif the Church could best utilise in that wa but they were the exceptions. As a nil and he might add, especially in ti colonies, there was a love of chang One mail, whatever his gifts may h rarely presented truth in the form mo acceptable to all his hearers; there w such variety iu our temperaments at r constitution’s. Ours, wo claim, is an ai of progress, of rapid development. M are continually discussing the errors the past, and also tha diliiculty c porieuccd in correcting our mistakes i the spot. Wo want a now onvironmet where wo may, with the added kiiowlcd; flad experience, pursue our calling, :u gq make mure out ol lilo tluvu we oUk

wise could. There are, of course, ob pious disadvantages. To see one’s wellappointed domestic arrangements all upset, and the parsonage a scene of tumult and confusion, has little of romauce about it; in fact, one is sometimes inclined to wonder that our young ministers, as they enter upon the full work of the ministry, are so easily able to find fair companions willing to accept the responsibility and face the difficulties of itinerant ministerial life. It speaks volumes for the magnetic power of the young men. Mr Miles concluded : I am deputed by a few members of your congregation to ask your acceptance of a Gladstone bag, wnich they hope in days to come may serve to recall some pleasant memories of your stay in Temuka. You will not find it quite empty, A chief contributor is one who, by reason .of distance and infirmity, has but seldom been present at our Sunday services, but who gratefully remembers seasons of helpful intercourse at home. I need not remind you, sir, of the worth of such service. By it the Church is built up. Your description has often been a “travelling preacher;” we have thought a travelling bag a fitting accompaniment, and if in your journeying you should again find yourself in Temuka you may be assured of receiving a very hearty welcome.

Mr Dellow, in reply said, the Methodist itineracy gave opportunity to its ministers to make more friends than perhaps any other system. He could thank God for his three years labours in the Temuka circuit ; they had widened his experience, and he trusted that his labours had not been in vain. He felt indeed thankful for the many kindnesses shown by so many friends present, and the goodwill and cordiality evinced ever since he came to Temnka, He wished to speak in the highest terms of his co-worker in the temperance cause, the Rev. J. Dickson, who, he believed, was not afraid to act up to his convictions at any cost, and though the results had not been what he would have wished at the late elections, he believed it impossible to measure the value of their labours. . Many had expressed their regret at his leaving the district, and he believed with most of them these were their true sentiments. He trusted that seed had been sown by his preaching, and his endeavour to live a consistent Christian life before his people, that would yet bear fruit, through perhaps not under his ministry. He thanked his friends most heartily for their very useful present. The travelling preacher and the travelling bag would go nicely together. Though quite aware of his own faults (none better), he was satisfied that he had done what he believed to be God’s work. The Rev. J. Dickson eulogised Mr Dellow as a man of honest principle, and one of whom any Church ought to be proud, and spoke of his ardent labors for the temperance cause. He had great pleasure, on behalf of friends of the cause, in intimating that some valuable books on temperance dealing with the modern aspect of the question had been purchashed for presentation to Mr Dellow. Unfortunately they had not arrived in time for presentation that evening. He concluded by wishing Mr Dellow and family success and happiness in their new sphere of labor. [The list of books is as follows ; Lowell’s Poetical Works ; Platform Echoes, J.. 8. Gough ; The Little Minister; Veni Creator, H. C. Moule, M.A.; Verbum Dei, R. F. Horton; The R'ght and Wrong Uses of the Bible; Sunlight and Shadow, J. B. Gough ; Graven in the Rock, Rev. S. King, D.D.; Cyclopedia of Temperance and Prohibition ; The Breakfast Table Series, O, W. Holmes.] Mr Dellow suitably replied, stating he felt he had only done the duty of any Christian minister for the temperance cause, and had done what he had felt to be only a part of his legitimate work. He hoped they would soon see the removal of the traffic in strong drink with all its attendant evils.

Mr Metson also spoke in high terms of Mr Dellow, aud expressed bright hopes for his future work and happiness. Mrs Dellow spoke in feeling terms of their three years’ work in Temuka, and, as a last opportunity, urged the many young folk, iu whom she had always taken keen interest, to decide for Christ, and to give their hands aud hearts to work for Him iu the way that laid nearest'to them. She would always look back to the time spent iu Temuka with great pleasure. Mr Dellow moved a hearty vote of thauks the to lady friends for providing refreshments and attending to the ci eatme comforts of the evening. This was paas.d by acclamation. Refreshments were provided by Mesdames S. Wright, Capper, Morrison, Lewis, aud Prattley, and many willing hands assisted iu dispensing them, making the arrangements for the evening glide smoothly and pleasantly through. During the evening the Rev. J. Dellow sang “ The Last Muster,” and Mr Low “ Jerusalem.”

The pronouncing of the benediction by the Rev. J. Dickson, brought a pleasant evening to a close.