Shortland Wesleyan Church.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2577, 11 April 1877, Page 2

Shortland Wesleyan Church.

Annivebsaby Soikee

As announced by advertisement the above church held their anniversary soiree, in the church, Willoughby street last night. The tea appeared to be all that could be desired, and was partaken of with evident gusto. The attendance was moderate, not necessitating a second sitting, which no one seemed to regret. -After the clearing away of tables, &c;, had been accomplished the programme was commenced by the choir singing a hymn.

Captain Richards was called to the chair. He gave thanks for the honor done him. His position he said was a peculiar one. Last year their lamented Brother Kernick ,had occupied the position he then held. He congratulated the congregation on being free from debt, and said it was probable if the Grahamslown church could be sold, a more central building would be erected. ;

Mr Miller read the treasurer's annual report which showed that though the receipts were not large they were above the, expenditure. The receipts -for the year were £60 16s lid; the expenditure, £70 4s 3d ; adding to receipts the collections of last Sunday, together with proceeds of the soiree, there would probably be a balance of £5 or £6. This announcement was received with applause. * The Choir then sang —" Eternal Mansions." .

Mr Eenshaw then addressed the meeting, and said he had much pleasure in doing so. He commented on the loss the Charch had recently sustained in the death of Mr Eernick, but said he was not one of those who looked only on the dark side of misfortunes. Mr Kerniek's death might prove the life of many; he had died the death of the righteous ; he was not lost, but gone before. Mr Eenshaw gave one or two interesting little episodes to enforce the advantage and reality of religion; He said' he regarded 'liis audience, not as members of different denominations, but as Christians. The Choir then rendered "Avon " in a really capital style. Mr Turner, said he thought the previous speaker had said nearly all that could be said in reference to one matter, viz., their late Bro. Eernick. His dWh; had been one of the most peaceful he had ever known. The deceased brother had been ailing for a considerable time/but he was quite reconciled to his lot, and he (Mr Kernick) had once said " he would not stir one of his fingers to alter the purpose of Gcdv concerning him." After referring to other matters Mr Turner said that, after giving people a good tea and making them satisfied with themselves and every one else, a speaker could talk to them like a.father. ') his he said as he intended to speak to them on a matter which concerned their pockets. A certain man, he said, who had once gone to hear the well-known Whitfield had determined not to give a penny, but having listened a little while to the eloquence of the preacher he altered his mind and gave all the money he had with him. An eloquent sermon had been preached last Sunday evening, but he was sorry to say that in the collection made the array of threepenny pieces was something astounding. , * The choir, in a satisfactory manner, gave " Forgive, Blest Shade." At this period of proceedings Mr Eichards vacated the chair, and Key E. S. Bunn took it.

*' The choir again performed a hymn in a creditable manner. :

Mr Bunn then addressed the meeting. After referring to the custom of giving threepenny pieces as the last speaker had referred to, he said he did not intend to make a very: fine speech ; if; they were in debt he would feel called upon to make a rare good one, but it was useless to put one's self about for nothing. Mr Bunn here resorted to a little humor, characteristic of the rer. gentleman. He also congratulated his congregation on the fact of their church being free from debt. The past year, he averred, had really been a beautiful one in many respects. They had indeed lost one of their most useful members, but there were many such men in the church as James Kernick; and there would yet be many better. James Kernick was a noble worker in Christianity, but there would be many nobler. The Choir sang, with effect, " Canaan.'* The Key. Mr Hinton said he had just hurried up from Grahamstown, tut when he passed "Scrip Corner " he thought there was no occasion to hurry. He there saw a very large number of people, yet he thought it likely there would be many at the soiree. He spoke in jocular terms of the scrip mania; at the same time he strongly deprecated the custom of scrip-dealing, at least the :■-" red hot" manner in which it was evident some people enter into it. He devoutly hoped that the people of God would be above this sort of thing; and hoped they would believe rather in the riches of God than those of the Moanatairi. The managers employed in the service of the former "were unimpeachable—not such as would be so unjust as to put only one man "up to a good, thing," but are willing to do good to all. With a few more remarks the rev. speaker concluded an interesting speach. More harmony was here provided by the choir, who displayed considerable efficiency throughout the evening. Mr Hicks addressed the audience.

Votes of thanks to the ladies, speakers, and Chairman were carried with acclamation, and the meeting was brought to a close with a hymn by the Choir and the benediction by the Chairman. . .