Primitive Methodist Church.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3615, 28 July 1880, Page 2

Primitive Methodist Church.

A soiree in connection with the above Church was held yesterday eveVung. After tea, which was well patronised, a public meeting was held, presided over by the Eev. T. W. Adamson, who said that in the unavoidable absence of the Secretary, he could only give them a rough estimate of the proceeds of the soiree. Friends had contributed £12 2s 6d towards it, the ticket money was over £8, and the. expenses would not be more than £5, so the proceeds would put the balance on the right side of the books. He then proceeded to address the meeting on " Helpa and hinderances to the cause of God," saying that they must content themselves with a few of the helps and hinderttnceß as the subject was so extensive that time would not permit him to enter fully into it. The working Christian who proved his Christianity by deeds as well as words was a great help, for I it' anything went wrong he set to work at once to put it right. Unity in the. church was also another help. There is every reason why members of churches should be united, especially as they believed in one God, had one Saviour, met around one mercy-seat petitioning one Father. Those who said they could do very little ought to come forward, do that " little " and show which side they were on. A Rood feeling between ministers and the congregations places each at ease with the other, and proves a " help " by preventing little differences cropping up.; Ministers do well to cultivate this good feeling, as they derive great advantages ! from it, in making many friends who sympathise with him and aid him in his work. The first hindrance he Would call their, attention to was " grumbling." A little of it was very good if it' was.properly done; it made a man come up to the mark, but is was a dangerous thing to tamper with, as too much of it produced an explosion, then there was ill feeling on both sides, and everyone felt uncomfortable. Want of courtesy was also a hindrance, but the one wnich concerned them most was having a small, dimly-lighted ill-ventilated place of worship. Apart from tb& consideration of health they air knew that many times persons have had to go away unable to find a seat; and while thanking them for ttie ready assistance they had rendered, he would shortly ask them to aid in removing the latter hindrance by build•irig a large, well ventilated church, where they could worship God in comfort. Mr Jaynes next addreased the meeting on " Clogs to church wheels.'' He said his remarks would be supplementry to the Chairman's, and he found the Chairman had gone over his ground; he agreed with the Chairman that the helps should be utilised and the hindrances swept away. He believed that if the members and congregation united, each minister would be the revivalist of his church. He exhorted them to be in earnest terms, and hoped, that the cause would prosper. Eev. Mr Neiil next addressed the meeting on "Are we getting better or woae." The rev. gentleman briefly reviewed the arts of ancient nations and contrasted them with the arts of the present, and said that one advantage the ancients h_d was the power vested in one man, by which he could utilise the units of the nation and produce the stupendous works wh'ch are wonders to us. Still, he believed in the individuality .of the present; but that was not inconsistent with nationality. In conclusion he exhorted them 'to strike down selfishness, as tft«re -~wat embodied in that word the principal hindrance to the advancement of society. The Rev. Mr Watkin gave an address on " Helping each other," pointing out the necessity for it, and also the pleasing results that follow. He alluded to the, harmony there was when this principle was followed, and to the satisfaction there was more particularly felt in encouraging each other in Divine life.

Rev. Mr Davies, after a few humorous remarks, alluded to the beneficial effects of religion shown by the natives of Erromanga, wuo irora a state of savagedom had far advanced in civilization, and many of them were qualified to defend the truths they had accepted. He considered this in itself was a proof of the divinity of our religion, and in conclusion exhorted each to strive to further its claims, and urge on others to embrace it.

Votes of thanks to all who had assisted was carried by acclamation. A most eujoyable evening was spent; the singing under the presidency of Mr Mutton contributing no small share of the enjoyment We regret thel through want of space we have not been able to give a more extensive outline of the various speeches. A hymn and the benediction closed the meeting.