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LAWRENCE WESLEYAN CHURCH SOIREE.

,A soiree to celebrate the arrival of the Eev. W. H. Beck in and the departure of the Eev. H. Bull from the Lawrence Circuit was held in the church, Colonsay-street, on the evening of Thursday, the 3rd inst. The anniversary of the church fell a short time previously, but the customary reunion was postponed till the present occasion. The weatherwaa exceedingly inclement, preventing the attendance of many ; but it did not mar the success of the gathering. Tea was on the table at half-past six o'clock, at which hour a goodly array sat down to wellgarnished tables, presided over by the following ladies: — Mesdames Tonks, Syret, Beutly, Burns, Marx, and Miss Drysdale. When this part of the programme had been satisfactorily disposed of and the seats re-arranged, The Eev. Mr. Bull, who occupied the chair at the public meeting, opened the proceedings by stating that the anniversary of the church should have been held at an earlier period, but the trustees had thought it advisable to delay the anniversary tea meeting, so that the valedictory and introductory meeting could be held at the same time He was glad to see present representatives from all parts of the district — even from Waipori, from which place some had walked to take part in the proceedings. He apologised for the absence of Mr M'Lelland, who would have been with them had not indisposition and the inclemency of the weather prevented him. The choir sang — "Waiting by the Eiver." Mr. A. B. Matthews, one of the local preachers, was then called upon to address the meeting. In the course of a very eloquent speech, he said that in looking back upon the past two years of Mr. Bull's ministry in the district, they might not see cause for thankfulness ; but this was an age of spiritual depression. However, in reviewing the past two years, he must say that the Grospel had been faithfully and simply preached to them. It was a difficult matter to weigh the results of gospel preaching. There was no standard but that of the ingathering of souls ; still the good work may be steadily going on, although unobserved, as sometimes the best fruit was hidden behind the largest leaves. The speaker continued his address by reviewing the steady march of intellect and the signs of the times from a Christian point of view, illustrating his remarks by showing how the arts and sciences contributed to the spread of Christianity. He concluded by referring to the indirect yet powerful influence Christianity had on tho buteide world. Mr. Paul Ah Chin regretted Mr. Bull was leaving, and hoped he would do well in his new sphere of labor. He wished Mr. Beck a hundred thousand welcomes to Tuapeka. A fter the choir had discoursed another anthem, Tho Eev. Mr. Menzies addressed the meeting. He said the Wesleyans appeared to have the happy knack of making ends meet. The meeting was valedictory, introductory, and also the anniversary of the congregation. He must say that he was sorry to part with Mr. Bull as a neighbour. Mr. Bull was but a young man, but he considered him a young man of promise. He had not that fluency which often proved fatal to young men, but he was both diligent and careful in his preparations for appearing before the public, and he would find the benefit of that in after years by a steady increase of mental power. Mr. Menzies then gave a very interesting and instructive address, showing the relation of Christianity to some of the leading social topics of the day. Chief among thete was education, amusements, the condition of the poor, the management of ragged schools, &c. He impressed upon the audience the necessity of allowing their religion to permeate their entire life, as individuals and in their social relations. Mr, John Carey, who next spoke, endorsed Mr. Menzies' remarks regarding Mr, Bull's painstaking care in prer paration for his work. He had come in special contact with Mr. Bull, and' had reason to be grateful to him for his help |n many ways. Choir— « Trust in God and do the right." The Eev, Mr, Cameron was next called upon. He thanked the Wesley «• ans for puttiug their anniversary off for a few days, ao that it would not interfere with the soiree of the PresbyterJan Church at the Blue Spur, and he did not think they had suffered by the postpqenment. This showed an admirable spirit on their part — the spirit -of concession, t The same spirit was required ift the discharge of all their duties. They had met to bid farewell to one minister, and welcome another. He had enjoyed pleasant intercourse with Mr. Bull, aud wished him all success in his new scene of labor. ttjs'o gave Mt ! , Beck a hearty welcome. Mr. Cameron then delivered an interesting and instructive address on «' Giving" impressing upon his audience, the necessity for continued and svsteraatio giving, for the support of religions institutions. The Quail-man in introducing Mr." Beck, said he had enjoyed a close and intimate connection with that gentleman, He was gUd the Conference had appointed Mr, Beok for- the Lawrence

Circuit, as he had the advantage of knowing the wants of the people here. He would call upon Mr. Beck to address the meeting. The Eev. Mr. Beck introduced himself as a thorough Methodist, tracing his decent from Methodists of three generations. He therefore considered himself outside and inside a Methodist, j He was afraid he would not be able to suit them as a visiting minister. It was said of Henry Ward Beecher that he would rather write ten sermons than enter one sick room. He (Mr. Beck) could not say he was quite so prolific a writer as that, but he shared the same feeling. However, he proposed mending his ways in respect to visiting ; and a voice from the dying or the sick room would have his ready and willing ear. The rev. gentleman tlien said tbafc in regarcL to preaeliingj, he did not know if he would suit them. He told them plainly that he would pander to no man, and if his preaching in that respect did not suit them, he hoped they would not backbite him. He was resolved to "know nothing save Christ and Him crucified." He would expect from his congregation that they love one another, and that they be earnest workers with him in the Master's cause. It must be remembered that the work of evangelising the world was not confined to preaching. As his people, he would expect them to be consistent. A Christian, he said, should be like gold — the true metal wherever it was found. He should be like the flowers, the same on week days as on Sunday. He would also expect them to be complete Christians, not only almost, but altogether. Mr. Beck on behalf of the friends of Mr. Bull in connection with the congregation, presented that gentleman with an address expressive of their appreciation of his character and work during his residence amongst them. Mr. Bull in reply, heartily thanked his friends for their kindness, but as he would have another opportunity on Sunday of addressing them, he would not delay the meeting further on that point. He might, however, not, he hoped, with any egotistical feelings, refer to the work which he had done since he took charge of the Lawrence Circuit. He had preached 370 sermons, and, as he had not the gift of fluency, he had found it necessary to make strict preparation for their delivery. The preaching of these sermons in the Circuit, had involved travelling 8000 miles during the two years. He had delivered 8 lectures, and attended 75 committee meetings. He had held 150 prayer-meetings, and read 12,644 pages of various works, embracing a large variety of subjects — theological, scientific, &c. He regretted to say that he had not met with that success which he would have liked. While in Timaru, and Port Chalmers, he had many proofs that his labor was not in vain. He hoped that his successor, Mr. Beck, would have more to encourage him than he had. The rev. speaker then made reference to the Circuit to which he had been appointed, viz., Kaiapoi, as being one in which he was intimately acquainted. He concluded a touching address by saying chat his prayer would eyer be, that God might bless them more and more, making them of one mind and of one spirit. Mr. Eli Coolen, in a neat and appropriate speech, presented Mr. Bull with a handsome writing desk on. behalf of the choir, to which the rev. gentleman made a suitable reply. Mrs. Marx ably presided at the harmonium. Votes of thanks to the speakers, the ladies and the choir having been duly passed, the benediction was pronounced and the meeting dispersed.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TT18730410.2.22

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 271, 10 April 1873, Page 6

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,486

LAWRENCE WESLEYAN CHURCH SOIREE. Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 271, 10 April 1873, Page 6

LAWRENCE WESLEYAN CHURCH SOIREE. Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 271, 10 April 1873, Page 6

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