CHURCHT SOIREE.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1002, 6 September 1872, Page 2

CHURCHT SOIREE.

The annual soiree of the Uuited Methodist Free Church was held at the new church in "Wallabi Street, on Tuesday evening last, and passed off most successfully. The company assembling filling the building to its utmost capacity. At half-past six grace Wfis sung and the business of the evening commenced in earnest. A bom f d and varied spread of eatables graced the tables, which were presided over by Mesdames White, Mcßeth, Stevenson, Poster, Bertrand Knarston and Leßatt, and it need hardly be said that full justice was displayed in demolishing the tempting array of toothsome morsels. The tables being cleared there was a short intermiss : on, after which a public meetiDg was held, presided over by the Rev. J. White, pastor of the congregation.

Proceedings commenced by choir the singing the opening hymn, *' Come let us join our tuneful songs," after which the Eevd, J. Parkins offered up prayer. The chairman, in his opening address, expressed his fervent congratulations at the increased prosperity and altered circumstances of the church as compared with its standing at the last annual gathering, calling for deep and devoted gratitude, and offering a strong incentive for earnest action in bringing the work now prospering, to a full and perfect fruition. On behalf of his co-workers he expressed suchg ratitude, not merely as a formal compliment, but in all heartfelt sincerity, for the noble assistance rendered by all classes of the community iu helping toward tiie erection of the new church wherein they were now assembled. Referring to the special tenets of Methodism he said it abandoned all idea of promoting sectarianism. The aim of the church was not so much to gain adherents from other congregations as to christianize; and though they differed in externals it was because they thought one dead uniformity in modes of faith or worship was not in accordance with the enlightened spirit of the present age. After further remarks, which were well received, he called upon the Honorary Secretary to read the annual report. Mr H. Neil, in presenting the report, said the last time he had been called upon to to fulfil the duty he had but a sorry tale to tell, but now he trusted the report would prove satisfactory as showing the success of the mission at Westport, after hard combating against unfavorable circumstances. The report as read reviewed the progress of the church under the pastorate of the Revd. J. White; the steady increase of the congregation from a mere handful up to the present average attendance of eighty persons; the sudden leave taking from their original place of worship, enforced by the unceremonious invasion of Neptune, and the subsequent erection of the present building, aided by the liberal donations of the Westport public. It also referred to the establishment of a Sabbath School in connection with the church, and a Bible and Mutual Improvement Clasi. The financial statement was as follows :—• Revenue for church purposes accruing during the past eleven months : £ s d Proceeds of last tea meeting ... 24 o 0 Collections and seat rents ... 10 7 6 Grant in aid from Home Committee 125 0 0 259 0 0 Building Fund. Dr. to amount paid for land, rebuilding church, new material, Arc 245 0 0 Cr. By Donations 175 0 0 Present Liabilities 70 0 0

The report was received, after which the chairman, in remarking thereon, said The report boro evidence of the deep and earnest feeling provading for the advancement of religion. Personally it seemed to say to him on behalf of those who were working so well for the honor and glory of their Cteator "You must do your best, wo are doing ours." He deeply felt the responsibility of the charge entrusted to his keeping, and the highest ambition of his life was expressed in the aspiration "Let me live to preach thy word." Anthem by the choir, " I will arise."

Mr R. Whyte, in response to a call from the chairman, who spoke of him in eulogistic terms as being ever among the first and foremost in advancing the cause of social progress, rose to address the meeting, and was received with very hearty applasae, Mr Whyte deprecated the compliments so lavishly bestowed on him by the chairman, and said he would venture to express an opinion that the report by the Secretary was a little too complimentary also, inasmuch a a the reading of the names of subscribers to the funds was hardly in accordance with the divine precept " Let not the right hand know what the other doeth," (applause), Still some latitude might be allowed under the present circumstances of the Church, being as yet in its infancy ; and the record of good deeds might incite to a renewal hereafter. It showed very plainly that " where there's a will there's a way," and it also proved the truth of the saying *' ilka blade o' grass keeps its aiu drap o'dew." For it proved how, little by little, step by step, small beginnings expanded into great successes; and true religion held a permanent abiding place wherever the good seed wa3 sown, despite all dispiriting influences. Speaking of the various kind of churches and the different opinions held in the present day as to the use and abuse of religion, he said Burns had put into the mouths of his Jolly Beggars the sentiment "A fig for those by law protected; Liberty's a glorious treat. Courts for cowards were erected,

Churches built to please the priests." This might not have been the poet's individual opinion, nor, as he need scarcely add, was it his own, but in all communities the Jolly Beggar element prevailed, often making serious mischief. In France, for instance, it had run riot and uprooted all forms of civil and religious government. In contrast to such heretical opinions it might be shown that the present age was indebted to church history for all reliable record of the past, and it was a subject wherein men of the highest intellect had ever taken an abiding interest. Among other instances he cited Lord Bacon who, with all his f railities, held decided religious opinions, reverencing religious writings as the greatest, the Sabbath, of all literary work. Religion, he said, we were obliged to obey, and believe the sacred ora3les whether we would or not. After reviewing at some length the influence of a certain class of literature, such as ' Paley's Theology,' and Combe's ' Constitution of Man,' in formingreligious opinions ; Mr Whyte said the chief duty of the Christian church in all places and under all circumstances was to keep the path bright and clear, to pave the way for the advancement of true religion, to live down sectarianism, and to be constantly vigilant in well doing.

Solo—'* There is a light in the window," Mr Weston. Chorus by the choir. The chairman next introduced the Revd, J. Parker, who he said had, by the liberality of the Home Committee, been sent out as a fellow worker in the Mission Field, and of whom he spoke in complimentary terms. The Rev. J. Parkins was received with applause. He said he AM lIO t liUo the Chairman s introduction. It reminded uimi oc a little boy he (mee saw in a grocer's shop who had come in for a pound of sugar. On getting the sugar the youngster pulled the parcel open and exclaimed '* why, this is not so good as that ticketed in the window." Perhaps the audience might not find him as goad as he had been ticketed when he opened out. He then gave a homely eloquent address, referring first to the necessity that existed in those d.tvs of scepti ism and peculiar fancies for the distinct defining of church principles. Free Methodist, he said was part and p ireel of tho great scheme of Christianity, and had but one object—the diffusion of a catholic universal religion. He illustrated his meaning by comparing the great array of christian workers to tho various military grades of an army. There were foot soldiers, light brigades, heavy dragoons, artillery, all trained for different methods of warfare, but still fighting for one Queen and against one foe. So too the different denominations fought against one common enemy, had but one watchword " Christ for the earth, the world for the Saviour;" recognised but one captain, paid homage to one king. Congregalkmalists had played their part bravely in the days when free religion needed succour. So likewise had tho Covenanters, striving, even at the sacrifice of life, for the liberty to worship according to the dictates of their own consciences. The Wesleyans too had been foremost in the combat against mere formalism and religious) inanities. Tho Primitive -Methodists might be compared to the artillery of the Christian army, They sent shot and shells flying with unwavering force and energy, and some might say they fought too fiercely, but then it must be remembered that in religion, as in medicine, desperate remedies were sometimes needed. The Baptists he might compare t-> the Navy, as they place d exceeding faith in water, but were nevertheless well worthy of fraternal accord. To the United Free Methodist Church Christianity was all in all, and they worked not against but hand in hand with all denominations. Referring to the wide spread of free thinking, he combated the objection raised against religion on the plea of scientific disproofs, and maintained that true science taught nothing adverse to tho truth of Holy Writ. Christianity was ever impregnable against tho attacks of Voltaire, Paine, Bradlaugh, or their companions. Tho time was approaching when it would shine brighter than ever ; all corking doubts and fears would be laid aside, a simple trust and simplo faith would be revered, and Bacon's aphorism, '* A little knowledge often leadcth the mind away, but a more enlarged knowledge bringcth it back again," would be fully realised, and the fruit i and flowers of science and literature would be enshrined as offerings at the foot of the Cross. Referring to the progress of the church in Westport, he said it had dispelled whatever doubts had been raised by cynical persons as to its success, or the absolute need for its establishment. Aid had been forthcoming freely from all classes, proving the irresistible influence of Christianity, going to the heart of men and moving to good deeds. But in the present, and in tho future there was still work to be clone. It was their duty to still aid in the fight that should make Christ King. Men qualified to help the cause should speak, think, and do as Christians ought to do, over striving to extend their sphere of usefulness. (The speaker on resuming his seat was much applauded.) Anthem. "How beautiful upon the mountains."

Mr Scott next addressed the meeting 1 , taking for his theme the objections often made as to there being any need for churches, and the unsocial influence of formal religion, as unfitting men to enjoy the amenities of social life. He combated this opinion maintained by free thinkers, and said not only had Christianity had its

uses, but even sectarianism if it was only to show that everyone had a right to think and act for himself. Sectarianism however became an evil when permitted to estrange members of one community into little narrow minded factions. As means to an end it was good, but to worship the means alone was but bigotry, and in thus creating unfriendly feelings it became a curse. He believed the time was passing away for all religious strife, and just as arbitration was becoming the noble substitute for savage war, so too the benign influences of true Christianity was settling all diverse opinions.

Mr Crfmpton : the honorary Treasurer to the Charleston congregation, next spoke, and in a cheery little speech congratulated the congregation upon the satisfactory state of their finances, complimented the ladies upon their good looks, said the tea meeting had cut the shine out of their humble little efforts at Charleston, and suggested that the remaining debt of £7O might be soon wiped off, if they adopted but three resolutions, once passed by a certain congregation. 1. All to give. 2. All to give willingly. 3. All to give according to their means. There was, ho said, still healthy vitality in We3tport, although the town might be compared to a body of which the limbs had b?en lopped off, the trunk carried away, and nothing but the head left.

The Choir then sang the chorus, " Pilgrims of the night."

The Chairman returned thanks to the Choir, Madames Brown, Came, and M'Beath, and Messrs Weston, Oakes and Brennan, for their services ; making special mention of Mrs Brown as leader, and of Mrs Carne and Mr Weston, who, as members of St. John's Church Choir, had kindly given their services. A similar compliment v:as paid to the ladies who had presided at the tables. The *• National Anthem" was then sung, the benediction pronounced, and the company separated.