WESLEYAN SOIREE AND CONCERT.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1216, 15 April 1880, Page 2

WESLEYAN SOIREE AND CONCERT.

A valedictory and induction soiree and concert, to take leave of the Rev. Mr Jones and welcome the Rev. Mr Griffin to his new pastorate in Waikato, was given by the members of the Wesley an Church in Waikato at the Hamilton Church on Tuesday evening last. James Gribble, Esq., presided on the occasion. Tea was placed on the tables punctually at half-past 6 o'clock, and a very excellent repast was done ample justice to by a large number of persons. The building vvas then cleared and arranged for the evening's entertainment, and at 8 o'clock was filled with a large and attentive audience. The Rev. Mr Bull opened the proceedings with the 225 th hymn and an appropriate prayer, and then called upon Mr Gribble to take the chair, saying that he was thankful that ene so well known to them all had responded to the invitation to preside on so interesting an occasion. Mr Gribble said he felt not a little proud of being placed in such a position, and as it was not expected from the Chairman to give a speech he should leave that matter in the hands of those to come before them who were so well able to do so. He then called on the Rev. Mr Bull for his report. Ihe Rev. Mr Bull, in introducing the report, said that properly this duty should have fallen on Mr Gane ; but, anxious as that gentleman was to perform it, he had been prevented by a severe attack of cold from being present. Mr Bull then read the following report and balance-sheet : — During the past year we are enabled ts> leport same measure of progress in the several departments of Church work. Last vcar we reported 53 members, there are now 7} Church members, with 16 additional communicants. Four additional preaching places have been taken upon the circuit plan, and there has been a general improvement in the number in attendance upon the Sunday sen ices throughout the circuit. The Canibtidgc Church has been improved, and furnished with a new American organ free of debt. The Te Awamutu Church has been lined, and the site fenced. Each of the churches in the circuit has been insured from fire. The number of children in attendance upon the Sunday-schools shows a more than usual increase — the number having risen from 100 to 245. Hamilton shows the largest increase. The floating urruit debt, which m September was £64, and which was reduced in December to £46 us. id., was, at the March quarterly meeting, entiiely removed. There remains now a permanent debt of £j*,o, to remo\ c which, an effort is now being made, by bazaars, in C.imbridge and Hamilton.

He was happy to say that although Hamilton had contributed little compared with others, it was still an increase on the past, and would he hoped continue to be so in the future, as it was intended to give Hamilton two full services a week, not altogether because Mr Griffin had come among them, but that several gentlemen had arrived in Auckland, both lay and clerical, who had kindly volunteered to assist in the ministration of their church. A solo, "Tired," was then given by Mrs Culpin, after which, The llev. Mi 1 Bull introduced the superintendent of the Sunday-school, Mr French, saying he had a special reason for doing so, as that gentleman's condition had been somewhat altered since he last stood before them on a public platform. To impress this fact on Mr French's mind, his bachelor friends had handed to him (the speaker) a couple of volumes, in which was the following inscription, "Presented to Mr and Mrs G. French from Sunday-school teachers and other friends of _ the "Wesleyan Church, Hamilton." He had much pleasure in presenting these books to Mr and Mrs French on the occasion of their marriage. Mr French feelingly acknowledged the gift, which he and his wife should always value as 'a remembrance of the kindly feelings of those who were labouring with him iv the work of Sunday-school teaching. Before he sat down the duty of welcoming the Rev. Mr Griffin fell to him. His first impressions of that gentleman were most prepossessing, and he was well pleased with the selection of the Conference. A gentlemin in Waikato, indeed, who had heard Mr Grifliu in Auckland, expressed his surprise that the Conference had sent so good a man to the Waikato. He was happy to say they had now two first-class ministers in Waikato. They were sorry to lose Mr Jones. He had been among them now some nine months. He had proved himself a jolly good fellow, and had worked well among them, and he knew (the i speaker evidently bearing in mind his own altered condition) that wherever he went Mr Jones would, for more reasons than one, remember Waikato. The choir then rendered ' ' The earth is the Lord's" The Rev. Mr Bull Paid he would like to make a few remarks before Mr Jones' made his farewell address Leave taking was always distasteful, but in the present case it was particularly so, for Mr Jones was not only leaviug the district, but the colony. It might be that he, the speaker, was prejudiced in favor of this colony, but he had lived 18 years in it, and thought there was no place like New Zealand, and he had done his best to persuade Mr Jones to remain. It was not to be however, and it was only left him to Avish him God speed. He was sure he would be remembered, aud with much tenderness, by the Wesleyans of Hamilton and throughout the circuit. He would say, as superintendent of the circuit, that he had been ably and zealously assisted by the Rev. Mr Jones. He came here when Church work was at its lowest ebb, and the congregation much smaller than now, and the progress had been very marked during the past nine months. He was sorry to lose Mr Jones, and as knowing well their feelings in the matter, felt they would join him heartily in wishing him God speed and prosperity and happiness in the future. (Loud applause.) The Key. Mr Jones said he rose with a curious kind of feeling in his breast, motions which lie could only describe as a mixture of pleasure and pain wondering what all the clapping of lmi'ls epuld moan. Thu> meeting- recalled to his memory a farewell meeting hold in his qm'u circuit w tUv occi^iyi of Im Ivauny

home. The people thero had got queer notions of coming to New Zealand as going to a land of savages, and going altogether out of the world. Very rery kindly that meeting had received him, eulogisms heaped on him then had been just as much too much as on the present occasion. In reference to his past conduct amongst them, the chief thought that occurred to him was, what had God wrought? We can well ask that too throughout the district. Many of tnem, doubtless, remembered the first starting of methodism, how a young student seeing there was need of reform in the Church, held small meetings of friends, insisting on justification by faith. Now the work was spreading everywhere in every country of the old and new world. There was no country without Wesleyan preachers. Wesley was no bigot, and his church had been founded to cany the great and noble work of evangelisation throughout the world. History showed that Methodism had made more advances than all other Protestant denominations, and had done more to spread the Gospel and convert the heathen. Men of the Episcopalian Church admitted that the work of the Wesleyau Church in the colonies far exceeded theirs. Just as Wesleyanism had progressed from small beginnings, under God's blessing, so had the work of their Church in Waikato, and they might proudly ask, what had God wrought. He was very pleased that God had blessed his efforts amongst them } they had been feeble, but they had been offered with a single eye towards His glory. God had wrought it. In conclusion, he would say that, while it gave him great pleasure to attend this soiree, it was painful to leave so many friends. He could assure them he should leave Waikato with mauy pleasurable recollections of its people ; he had made many friends, even uosom friends. (Laughter). He would bespeak for Mr Griffin the same hospitality that had been extended to himself. He hoped, however, to return after two years, and that he would then find in Hamilton a Wesleyan church worthy of the place. They wanted a church capable of sitting 350 people and well fitted up and finished ins&ide. The house of God ought to be the best house in a town. Some people said no, they could worship anywhere, even in a barn ; biit because you can do so that is no reason why you should do so. Solomon thought differently when he built the Temple. Their church building in Hamilton was a disgrace to them and to the town, and to the whole Wesleyan body in New Zealand. When they had a new church if they sent over to Australia and let him know he would send over a subscription towards it. He had a great desire to think of Waikato and Hamilton as having left some memento there of the happy months spent in it. In wishing them farewell, he trusted they would, as he would, be devoted to the work of God, and that their efforts might be abundantly blessed. Choir; solo, "When all the world is hushed in sleep, " by Mr Wright. Mr Bull said it was his duty now to introduce the Rev. Mr Griffin to the meeting; but before doing so would mention that there was another gentleman present who would need the same office from him — Mr Fraser, who was about to take up the duties of a local preacher amongst them. Mr Fraser was an old friend of his, and had passed his theological examination at a Board of which he (Mr Bull) was chairman. With reference to Mr Griffin, there were matters connected witli that gentleman's antecedents which it was desirable they should know, but which it was natural Mr Griffin should be diffident about referring to. The Rev. Cornelius Griffin was accepted by one of the Birmingham circuits as a local preacher of the Wesleyan Church in 1S61). After serving the Church in that capacity for five years, he passed the preliminary examinations as a candidate for the regular ministry, and was received, by appointment of the annual Conference, as a student at the Headingly College, near Leeds, in 1874. In 1877 Mr Griffin was appointed to the Bedford circuit, where he remained between two and three years. It was here that he met the Rev. James Buller, the agent in England of the Wesleyan Church, and gave a favorable answer to Mr Buller's overtures that he should make New Zealand the scene of his future labors. On the application of the chairman ami representative of the Auckland district, Mr Griffiu was appointed by the Dunedin Conference to be one of the ministers of the Waikato circuit. Mr Griffin's views were broad and liberal. He was thankful to know this, and that his heart was in his work. He was glad also that Mr Griffin was favorably impressed with the appearance of Waikato. It was natural, indeed, that lie should be, for he came at a time when Church matters were looking up, and the country bore a beautiful appearance. He asked those present to give him, on entering on his new work, their earnest prayers for his success. If the Apostles— holy men, and the immediately chosen of Christ — needed the prayers of good people, how much more so must not those more exposed to the frailties and weaknesses of human nature. The Rev. Mr Griffin came forward amid loud cheers. He felt, lie .said, something like the Irishman they had all read oft who, on falling from a scaffold and being asked by his mate, an he lay on the ground, whether he was killed, replied, "Not kilt, but spacheless." He knew they expected, that like all parsons, he Avas good at a speech. But all he had heard about himself that night from Mr Jones, Mr Bull, and others only made him feel as if he did not know what to say. He felt, however, as he was sure they would all agree Avith him, that the first tlnng to do was to join heartily in the good wishes expressed by Mr Bull for Mr Jones, and he (Mr Griffin) as entering on the field of his labours should never forget that as the fir&t minister appointed by the Conference to Hamilton he was indebted to Mr Jones as a pioneer clearing the way before him of many difficulties. He prayed God's blessing might go with Mr Jones. A& far as he was himself concerned, he was obliged to Mr Bull for his kind introduction. It was necessary, he said, that they should know something of his antecedents as a student and a pastor. As regards these statements Mr Bull was correct, and as regards his views Mr Bull had described them with relation to the church as broad and liberal. That was just what he was. There Mere many in the church who prided themselves as being specially Wesleyans — as Wesleyans first and Christians afterwards. He (Mr Griffin) reversed that order of things. He was a Christian first, and next a Wesleyau. He said to all Christian churches as John Wes^y, the venerable founder of the church to which they belonged, said, "Friends of all; enemies of none." Speaking of church matters, he was anxious to go about his work ; he wanted to know all the members of the church, and his congregation would find when he had been here a little longer that like Mr Jones, he was a hearty good fellow, and if he had not the bump of sociality he had what was better, the quality itself. If he came and saw them now and then dropping in he trusted it would be attended with mutual benefit, and h" trusted the}' might spend a beneficial year together. With regard to Church uork, he was delighted with the first impression of the seivioe. The building: was not all he should like, not so Iwl a* Mr Jyncs hud *«id.

They would, doutless, hard * better one all in good time, and before the two years were out they would be sending to Mr Jones for his subscription. He noticed a want of punctuality in attending the services, and^ it was the duty of all who came to be in the church at 11, and not drop in from a quarter past to twenty -five minutes after the hour. They would find him there to the moment. Another thing he was inclined to mention, he believed if we gave God any public service we should give him the best we could. He believed the "Wesleyan Church had made a great mistake in the past when it drifted into the loose indifferent kind of service. Did they not think the service was as much for the people who came to worship as for the miniser, but yet most seemed to think they had only to stand up and take part with the choir — whose artistic skill and efficiency he desired to recognise. He hoped they would think whenever he was in the pulpit that some other part than the pinging belong to them. The prayers for instance — he was going to say that, unfortunately, perhaps, they had no liturgical service, but there was one liturgy common to all churches, in which he hoped all members of the congregation would heartily join — not in the mere repetition, the Lords' prayer. He weukl suggest this as an improvement but left it to their own feelings. There was one thing he wanted them specially to do. There was a spirit of earnest good will towards the Wesleyan Church not only amonjjst "Wesleyans bnt amongst all othei"s in the town. He should do his best to encourage this spirit of friendliness, and when they saw him mixing freely with members of all other churches, he begged they would remember he was none the less a Wesleyan, but a Christian first, and next a Wesleyan. (Cheers.) The-e was only one thing* left of which ■ to remind them. As they all knew, their church would not prosper, no church "would prosper, without the spirit of earnest Godly living appearing in the midst of it. He asked them not to believe that creed was everything. Thei'e was more power for good in the actions of people in their daily life than could be crammed into any creed. Outsiders would put them in comparison with the Master of the Church, and as they fell short would say they were not following his foot steps. He bel eyed in actions rather than words, and v behoved them to be living epistles known and read of all men, and then he would not be afraid for this part of the circuit when perhaps next year another minister came, to take his place. Choir — Quartette, " Nearer My God to Thee," Mrs Culpan, and Messrs. Hedgecock, Meacham, and Wright, Mr Fraser then addressed the meeting in a discourse which afforded considerable amusement, and was well received, after which there was a solo from Mr Meacham and The Rev. Mr Bull said it was his "pleasing duty to propose a vote of thanks to the Elders, to whose care they were indebted for the excellent tea they had all partaken of. The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. In proposing a vote of thanks to the choir, which met with as hearty a reception, the rev. gentleman paid a compliment to Mrs Culpan, who had kindly come from Auckland to assist, and to Mr Meacham, who had taken charge of the choir in Mr Culpan' 8 absence. A vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr Gribble, was then proposed by Mr Bull. He was glad they had 6ne among them so willing «vnd able to preside on such occasions, and who was at all times so ready to forward the interests of the church. This vote having been carried by acclamation, Mr Gribble briefly thanked the audience, and expressed the gratification it gave him to preside on such an occasion. The Benediction from the Rev. Mr Griit'en brought the proceedings to a close.

£ s. d. £ s. d. Cambridge — Collections . Subscriptions Net proceeds of soiree Pukerimu — Collections . Subscriptions . . .. 21 3 i .. 21 9 6 . 15 9 6 58 2 1 ... 3*i 6 ..800 Hamilton — Collections Subscriptions Te Awamntu Paterangi Kihikihi Nguruawahiu. Stone's farm .. Whatawhata Ngahinepouri Hautapu Special donations ... Home Mission grant ■ ir 13 6 ... 10 16 1 4 12 6 15 8 7 7 ro 8 4 12 3 267 . . 121 104 1 11 7 2 15 9 o 13 7 28 o o 22 10 O £i 57 7 o Expenditure Old debt Balance ... no 8 4 ... 46 11 1 077 £'57 7 o

J.NCOML W'D IViPhVOUURi:. Quartci ending 29th March, 1880.