PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2739, 17 November 1894, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, GERALDINE.

The anniversary soiree in connection with the Geraldine Primitive Methodist Church took place in the Volunteer Hall on Thursday evening, and was most successful. Six tables were liberally laid out with all that the inner man could wish for, and those who helped at the trays had the satisfaction of noting that they were well patronised. The ordinary tables were given by the following ladies:— Mesdames Maslin, T. Shorrat, Logan, A. Sherratt, W. A. Sherratt, Crafer, and Sutherland. These ladies were assisted at the tables by Misses Gibson, Maslin, Billons, and Stouehouse. The young ladies’ table was presided over by Missus E. Sherratt, Pizz-*y, Kusbatob, and Fleming ; and the bacbelo s’ table by Messrs Dalton, Trengrove, Harding, and Water■ton, assisted by Mrs Fronting and Misses Fronting and Andrews. The after meeting, like the tea, was well attended, the chair being taken by Mr F. R Flatman, M.H.R. The programme consisted of the usual tea meeting addresses interspersed with songs and solos by the choir members. Mr E. Robson conducted the • singing, which wag exceptionally good year. a» ~ ero like IfV* The proceedings opened by the congregation singing - Pr&iie ye the Rev. J.Co<|kqr engage jq prayer. ThtJ & 0 * »b$ « Our » » 0 d the

Fisk Jubilee song u There’s e meettiug here to-night.” . Mr Flatmau felt very proud at being asked to take the chair at such a meeting as the present one. He would li'e to have seen the hall full right to the back, but seeing this was shearing time they could feel very satisfied with the large audience present. He wasalways pleased to preside iver a Geraldine audience because they were so easily kept in order. (Loud applause). He noticed there were a good many clergymen present and if he could keep them from quarrelling he would think he had done something of note. (Laughter.) The choir, anthem, “ Ormseliff Crag.” Mr E. Logan, treasurer, said he had not seen the books yet, so he could not quote figures—(Laughter).—But he knew they had a little overdraft, which the soiree proceeds that night would, no doubt, clear off. With regard to other parts of the Church work they were out of debt so far. (Applause). Next year he would get the books and let them know more about the matter. (Renewed laughter). The chairman said that accounts were

generally in credit when they couldn’t find the books. (Laughter.) Mr Logan, a solo. The Rev. J. Preston congratulated the Rev. Mr Williams and his Chur -h on the satisfactory gathering they had there that night. He (Mr Williams) had done well to capture two live members <•£ Parliament. (Laughter.) It was not often that one could, capture two big fish at one time. (Loud laughter.) Mr Flatmau was speaking about quarrelling, but when Mr Maslin got on his feet, no doubt he would tell them something of the rows they had up at Wellington. (Great laughter). He thought the clergy could keep the peace quite as well as the members of Parliament. He was glad to be present to wish the Church well. When there were so many attacks made on the Bible and Faith to-day, they should all pull together. If the Russians lauded in New Zealand, men of all creeds would rise to defend their country, so when the common enemy assails Christianity they would be all ready to

put aside little private differences and I light shoulder io shoulder. They had the one God, and were striving for the one Heaven. He must say that at Geraldine they had got on very well iu this respect. The churches to-day were squabbling over nonessentials, and not matters with regard to salvation. They (the clergy), were trying to regulate the world, just as Messrs ITlatman and Maslin at Wellington were trying to reform it. But people were always beginning at the wrong end with respect to reform; they ought to get the Grace of God in men’s hearts first. He was glad to see two members of Parliament present, because he wished to see sound religions teaching without denominational teaching introduced into our public schools. (Applause.) Choir, anthem, “Crystal Fountain,” and Jubilee song “I’m a Bolling.” Captain Lane was glad to be present to speak for the Master. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to go on to any platform whore men were endeavouring to extend the Kingdom. Unless they could stand shoulder to shoulder in the great fight they were not going to accomplish much. He always had a friendly feeling towards the Methodist Church, bee- use they endeavoured to lift up the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. He would say with Moody, “ If there is one spark of sectarianism iu me I will have it out to-night.”

Quartette, “ Estelle,” by Misses Andrews and E. Maslin and E. Robson and C. E. Sherratt. Choir: Jubilee song, “ Way over Jordan.” Mr W. S. Maslin, was very pleased to stand under the presidency of bis friend the chairman. He had got a keynote for' his address from a remark made by Mr Preston. He (Mr Maslin), believed that the small minor difficulties in the past had resulted in wide breaches being made and the churches were now working with kinds of cross purposes, although perhaps not entirely antagonistic to each other, de thought that Mr Preston would agree with him that the Anglican Church had made a great mistake in closing their doors to John Wesley, Whitfield, and those wovking with them. He (Mr Maslin) had no doubt that had such a movement as Wesley’s taken place to-day, the Anglican Church would not hive repeated that mistake but have hailed the movement with delight. The mistake, however, bad been used by God greatly for the extension of the Kingdom, for Wesley had established a Church that had done good work in the world. It was a matter of regret, though, that the energies and abilities of these men were not conserved by the Church of England and the breach }

averted. It was, strange to say, too, that the Methodist church had made mistakes more blundering iu appearance than even the one made by the Church of England. There was a tendency amongst churches to grow extremely conservative, instead of which they ought to grow with the spirit of the age : not departing from Christianity, but when they see a wave of religious progress coming along they should prepare to avail themselves of all its influences and privileges to extend the glory of the Kingdom. It was simply because Wesleyans would not allow their own preachers to hold open-air meetings —camp-meetings they were called—iu England, although it was allowed in America, that Primitive Methodism was a separate organisation to-day. A movement was on foot to bring about a union of churches, and he thought that the time was ripe now for a united Methodist Church. They had union in Canada and were getting on famously. He believed the day was not far distant when they would have such a union in New Zealand, and he hoped that all the Churches iu Christendom would get closer together. He would like to see the Methodist Church dealing with social questions. They were doing very little in the way of reclaiming the fallen. True they were taking a prominent part in the temperance movement, but the Episcopalians and Etonian Catholics were the only bodies that could lay claim to the Government grant of £1,500 for engaging in the work of reclamation. Once more Government had voted thejsum of £1,5C0 for this work, and it would be a standing disgrace, in his opinion, if the Methodist Church did not endeavour to earn a share of it, by asisliug to rescue the fallen, tie had much pleasure iu congratulating the Primitive Methodist Church on the success of the past year. (Applause). Choir, Jubilee song, “ Hard Tria’s.” The Rev. James Cocker (Ashburton) thought the Methodists wore doing a i little in social matters. He was sur® •*’ he and his Church gave . „aat, at the election, an* 1 * ... .uaslin a lift so at G®*’*’ ” • was sure they did 1 -xuino Th* Church helped to men into Pailiament such n* had on the platform that night. And 1 now he asked these members “ ret us have some good Bills passed and let us bo 1 well governed.” With regird to union he might mention that Jonah and the 1 whale got united, but they soon got die-

united, and be hoped the union of the Churches would not end like that. It was a good thing to get out amongst other people as they were doing that evening. It enlarged their views, and they saw that their own particular Church was not doing all the good in the world. He must congratulate the Church on having eariy invited the Rev. Mr Williams to stay with them another year. Ir showed that they had a good man and intended to stick to him. (Applause,) He looked upon himself and Mr Williams almost as twins, seeing that they were both sent out by the one conference. The Church at Geraldine had done some good during the year that had passed, but only the recording angel in Heaven could tell the amouut of good that they had been doing in the time that has slipped by. In conclusion he would advise the members to stand by the leaders of the church and do the best they could to extend the work. They should remember, too, that they could not all do the same kind of work; that while Paul was the man for Mars Hill, Peter was the man for Pentecost. Likewise with the various Churches; each was doing its own work in its own sphere. He had now got to his subject, which was “ Progress,” but be would hold that over for another year. The choir, anthem, “ Emanuel.” Tho Rev. H. Williams movedahearty vote of thanks to the fall wing : The ladies who bad prepared such a splendid tea; the bachelors, who deserved special mention ; the choir, Mr Robson, Mr T. Sherratt for presiding at the organ, and Messrs Amos Sherratt and W. Maslin (violinists); also the Salvation Army for lending their tables. The votes of thanks were carried by a hearty clap. The choir, anthem, “ Joyous Greeting.” The Rev. H. Williams apologised for the absence of the Rev. A. B. Todd who was away from the district. The choir, “ Jubilee benediction.” The chairman trusted that every one present had enjoyed himself and received useful iustruction. The proceedings closed with the doxology.