BLUE SPUR WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 22, Issue 277, 22 May 1873, Page 5

BLUE SPUR WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

The annual meeting in connection with this Church was held on the evening of the 15th inst., when, despite the unfavorable state of the weather and bad roads, a large company assembled. Tea was provided by Mesdames Luke, Carey, Abetnethy, A. Cormack, M'Nab, and and mother lady whose name we did not ascertain. j Wlen ample justice had been done to an excellent repast, the chair was taken by the Rev. W. H. Beck, minister of the Circuit. Mrs. Marx, from the Lawrence Churjh, presided at the harmonium, and assisted by the choir, sang during the evening. Priyer having been offered by Rev. Mr. Cameron, the business of the evening vks appropriately introduced by the Chairman. His business was to read the report and keep order ; as the former was hot forthcoming, beyond the fact that he church was £35 in debt, and the latte easily done, he would call upon Mi, M'Lelland, teacher ; for an address which proved to be both humorous and instructive. He commented upon the itcessity for stability of principle and earnat prayer, and repudiated modern claim! for apostolic succession, save as were kdvanced by those who led apostolic lives. 1 Illustrating his address by some tellind anecdotes. MrlA. B. Matthews next spoke upon the necessity for ar> enthusiastic and earnest co-operation in holy effort, that shouldlbe displayed not only at anniversaries »nd tea meetings, but in daily life, and dvtelt at some considerable length npon tie advantages of practical preaching, hearing, and living. It was no evidenct of church prosperity to find that a great Xe&l of the co-operation, harmony, and uiity commented on at such meeting*, evaporated with the tea, and that these things were becoming more of an annual than a daily enjoyment of the Christian churches. Paul ]Lh Chin, Chinese Missionary, spoke brtfly, but well, upon the difficulties and iivantages of novelty. Applying his ranarks to the new circumstances in which fee Rev. Mr. Beck and his people

were placed by reason of his appointment to the pastorate of Tuapeka. (We are glad to find that Paul is making rapid progress in the acquisition of our language, which, no doubt, will facilitate his'mission work. These remarks were endorsed by Rev. F. W. Tsitt. one of the speakers who followed him.) The Rev. Mr. Cameron next delivered an address in his usual interesting style, full of happy illustrations, advocating sympathetic action on the part of labourers in the common vineyard, urging that in giving the standard applied by God was not the amount given, but the hearty cheerfulness that prompted the gift ; and pointed out that a deeper and more systematic study of the Scriptures on tho part of people generally, would result in their being so grounded in the faith that neither the vagaries of spiritualism, or any other absurdities of belief would be enabled to make headway. The Chairman next called on Rev. F. W. Isitt, of Balclutha, who, after a few introductory remarks of a humorous character, proceeded in a very earnest and eloquent speech to advocate large heartedness in our mutual dealings. Toleration,- he urged, was not taught or inculcated in Scripture. Search from Genesis to Revelation, yon will find no such thing. It had been ill for us if God had only tolerated us. He held that the Divine love was extended to us while we were yet sinners, and we were enjoined to a mutual love — a love that made Christ its model. He had no intention of flattering his own church. He had met with many Methodists who seemingly regarded their branch of the Christian church as the sole depository of religion in earnest, and Presbyterians who could discover little that was good beyond their own denomination, and others whose claims of superiority were as arrogant as they were baseless. The | desire to have all men think alike, was one that Scripture and experience alike taught to be incapable of fulfilment. That there should be one flock was a divine promise and arrangement ; that there should be one fold was man's idle dream ; heart discord, and not mental diversity, was that which Baldwin Brown had truly taught to be the source of mourning in heaven ; this subject was beautifully illustrated by quotations from a quaint sermon delivered by a negro preacher. He concluded by urging his audience to individual effort, and the subject of giving was dwelt upon as the extension to us of the privilege of helping God in his work, not because help was needed, but because Divine love permitted us to be thus associated with himself. An apology was read from Mr. Menzies. Votes of thanks to the "Ladies" and the "Speakers" were proposed by Messrs. Cooper and Carey. After which the meeting, which had been an eminently successful and pleasant one, was closed at an early hour. SUNDAY SERVICES. The Rev. F W. Tsitt preached the anniversary services morning and evening, at eleven o'clock a.m., and half -past six p.m. The rev. gentleman chose for his text in the morning, Galatiana ;vi., 1 and 2. Subject : " A plea for mutual compassion, based upon consideration of mutual infirmities," delivering a most impressive discourse to a large and attractive congregation. In the evening the church was crowded. An eloquent sermon was preached from John xii., 32. "on the universal attraction of the Cross," when all felt it to good to be present to hear such a faithf ul and earnest exposition of God's Word, so edifying to the Christian, accompanied by thrilling appeals to the unconverted. A collection of £5 ss. was taken during the day.