WESLEYAN TEA MEETING, EVATN'S FLAT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 105, 12 February 1870, Page 3

WESLEYAN TEA MEETING, EVATN'S FLAT.

The above meeting came off on Wednesday last with great success, notwithstanding the state of the weather, the chapel was crowded to excess, the ladies mustering in strong force. The tables were well filled and patronised ; they were provided by Mesdames Whiteside, Syrett, and Brooka. After the tables were cleared a hymn was sung and a prayer offered by the Rev. Mr. Menzies ; and then the Rev. Mr. Keall, after a brief opening address, introduced Mr. Menzies, who, as Mr. Keall said, had recently arrived from the home country, and would be able to tell them about their brethren there. Mr. Menzies said he would speak I further on in the evening. Mr. Downey was called to address the meeting, but excused himself on the plea of never being used to speak in public, but called on Mr. Farghcr, who said i he was happy to see how the chapel prospered ; they had had tloree annual tea meetings, and the weather on two occasions had been very bad. He was agreeably surprised to see so many friends present, and was pleased to state the debt on the chapel was now reduced to about £4, which he hoped to see cleared off soon. He only trusted that the chapel might prosper as well as it had hitherto done. I Mr. Whiteside then rose and said that when the chapel first started on Evans Flat, some years ago, he had no idea that its membership would increase as it had done. He was glad to learn they were nearly out of debt, and strongly urged the advisability of procuring a bell, and also of the necessity for a fence round the chapelv He had heard one boy that evening grumbling that he had not had enough, and on being asked what he really had, replied, "Only nine cups of tea, sir.," The church was in a very prosperous state at present ; they had a bible class conducted by Mr. Downey, and a prayer meeting conducted by himself. He hoped that by next year the membership would have bo increased that it would be necessary to enlarge the chapel. Mi\ Menzie3 then addressed the meeting. He had great pleasure in being present there that evening ; he took great interest in tea meetings ; he had heard at home that there were no teas like Yorkshire teas, but he thought that the good things provided by the ladies that night ought to convince every one to the contrary. He told a very amusing story of a Negro's opinion of Methodists J the Negro said they were a very peculiar people, and likened their denomination to a locomotive and the cars to other creeds. He felfc just like a racer out of training, having been cooped up on board ship so long he had got out of the way of speaking. He did not approve of forcing religion on any one. He thought a little humour in a sermon went a long way to send home the sword of the Sjjirit. Mr. Menzies then told an interesting and instructive story that happened in the same village in Yorkshire where he recently laboured, about a man who was converted by the uso of mild words. He then dwelt at some length on the proverb, " The tongue of the just man is as choice silver," and very ably explained it, showing what an unruly member it is, if not refined as silver. He said it was of great importance to govern the tongue, lie then forcibly illustrated the proverb, "A soft answer turneth away wrath." Mr. Menzies then said he was "not in" for long sermons ; he was happy to see the prosperous state of the chapel, and resumed his seat amid great applause. Mr. Keall said he had listened with a great deal of pleasure to Mr. Menzies, and felfc sure every one present would be a great deal the better for it. Mr. Keall spoke on tho value of kind words, and said he was sorry he could not be oftener amongst the Evans Flat congregation. He hoped they would remember what a lot of work he had in hand. He next spoke at some length on the late Marquis of Hastings, and compared him to that great philanthropist, George Peabody, showing how differently they spent their fortunes. He believed that this would prove the best anniversary in every respect thi.y had experienced. There were several members had taken tickets who had not come, no doubt owing to the weather. He strongly urged the getting of a hell, fencing the chapel and building a small shed at the back of it for the use <>f the pastor's horse. Mr. Keall concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Menzies for his able speech. Mr. Roderick proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies for their liberal patronage on the occasion, and also to the ladies who provided the tables. Mr. Cooper, from the Blue Spur, briefly addressed the meeting, and seconded Mr. Roderick's vote, which was carried with applause. The meeting terminated about ten o'clock with a hymn and prayer.