LAWRENCE WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 151, 29 December 1870, Page 3

LAWRENCE WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

The anniversary of the Wesleyan Church, Lawrence, was celebrated on Tuesday, December 27, by a tea meeting, got up in a style quite equal to anything hitherto attempted in Lawrence. Such profusion of all the delicacies of the season, it has not been our lot to witness before. Their flavour *md quality considerably enhanced by the graceful attention of the many l.vdies who presided at the various tables, and every relay of visitors seemed to do ample justice to the good things provided. After every effort had been vair.lv tried to consume the various comestibles, the remains were bodily removed, and Mr. Keall opened the more spiritual part of the entertainment by prayer, and a hymn by the assembly, Mr Marten ably presiding at the harmonium, after which Mr Keall, who regretted that the trustees deputed him to do so, read the annual report, from which we glean the following : - The total receipts for the year amounted to £61 7s 6d, and the expenditure to £59 Is lid, leaving a credit balance of £1 53 7d towards the Church debt.

Mr. Keall then, in a short speech, expatiated on the condition of the Church in Lawrence. Regretted the amount of debt owing, £150 or thereabout ; eloquently exhorted the congregation to put their shoulders to the wheel and do something to lessen the amount before his ministry amongst them ceased. We were sorry to hear the rev. gentleman allude to his probable early departure from the Tuapeka district. Mr. Keall then thanked tho subscribers for the musical instrument which had been presented to the Church. He then called on ilr. Bloxham.

Here we think it as well at once to apologise for not giving, as it was our wish, a more lengthened report of the many good speeches delivered, but our readers will perceive that we are crowded out, and cannot do so. We can only say Mr. Bloxham was as eloquent as usual. After he sat down, Mr. Menzies addressed the meeting in a very logical and pithy speech, illustrated by a diagram drawn by his finger on the wall, but which, owing to a gentleman lighting the lamps at the time, we were unable to see Mr Marten was then called on, and, in a speech redounding with humourous anecdotes, amused his audience for a considerable time.

Mr Keall then called on Mr Wilson, a friend of Mr Menzies', who had previously introduced him to the meeting. We can only say of this gentleman, we trust his sojourn amongst us will continue for a long time ; and we hope he will find that domestic hearth that in all his travels he has hitherto failed to find ; and we also hope we shall often have the pleasure of hearing him speak in public. Mr Keall then called on

Mr. Gilbert, who said he regretted he had not the gift of speaking like Mr Wilson, but nevertheless amused the meeting by a very humourous speech, interlarded with numerous quotations from Mr Gilbert's standard author, John Ploughman.

Dr Copland was next called on by the chairman, and iipon rising was received by a very hearty welcome. His speech, if reported in full, would be read by all classes with great interest and pleasure. We must again regret want of space to give it in exteiiso.

Mr Keall then made a few appropriate remarks, and one of the most pleasant social gatherings ever held in Lawrence separated at 10.30 p.m.