VALEDICTORY SOIREE AND ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1519, 30 March 1882, Page 3

VALEDICTORY SOIREE AND ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

The departure of the Rev. Messrs Bull and Griffin, who have for the past three years resided amongst us as pastors of ■ the Waikato circuit of the Wesleyan Church, was made memorable on Monday evening last, by a soiree and social meeting in the Public Hall, Cambridge, at which about 300 people attended. It is needless to dwell at any length on the popularity and esteem in which both these gentlemen have been held during their sojurn in the Waikato, not only by the members of their own persuasion, but by the public generally. The success of the gathering of Monday night fully testifies the fact, and we fell convinced that all those who attended were actuated by the mutual good feeling which exists among the various demonstrations in this district, in going to bid their formal farewell. The tables were provided by Mesdames J. Martyn, Nixon, Heim-ich, Richard Reynolds, G'udworth, and F. Jones, Missies Davis, Alford, Robertson, Kingdon, Caley, Westwood, and Nixon. Tea having been heartily partaken of the, hall was cleared for the meeting and enteitainment. The meeting commenced at 8 o'clock. On the platform were Messrs Buttle and Reynolds, and the Revs Messrs Evans, Griffith, Griffin, and Bull. In the absence of Mr E. B. Walker, Mr Henry Buttle took the chair. The| proceedings were commenced by the audience singing the hymn, " Come let us join our cheerful song." The chairman in the course of his opening address ad\ erted to the fact that fourteen years ago he had been appointed to the office of senior circuit steward for the Waikato, and, as most of them were doubtless awaie, had held that position ever since. During this entire period the circuit had been a united one, both in the matter of its constitution and in its working, but that day, he had to inform them, it had become a divided one. They had often heard the old maxim that unity , was strength, and certainly with few exceptions it was, but, they (the stewards) were going to show thorn that this rule, in common with many others, had its own particular exceptions. They were going to show them that a divided circuit was more workable and more efficacious than a united one. Instead of the union of the past, three distinct circuits had that day been constituted in the Waikato district, viz, those of Cambridge, Hamilton, and Te Awauiutu, eacli would be governed by its own officcis, chosen by its own people to administer its own affairs. One would be glad to hear of good results being achieved by the other, and no doubt they would all assist each other in eflucting the same and it should be their constant endeavour to rival each other in the attainment of good in their respective districts. The object foi which they had assembled that night wms, to bid farewell to theii ministers, who were about to sex er their connection M'ith their spiritual charges in Waikato. Having held a leading position in the circuit for many years past, he could assure them that the relationship which had existed between the office-bearers of the church and the ministers had been of the most cordial and friendly nature. For himself he had never worked under ministers with whom he had more pleasure in performing the duties of his office, than with the Rev. Messrs Bull «md Griffin. Before sitting down he would like to express on behalf of the members of the church the regret which they all felt in having to part with these two gentlemen. The great success which had attended their church in the past, both in matters spiritual and temporal, was owing to the untiring exertions of the Rev. Mr Bull. (Applause.) The hymn "Beautiful Tin-one" was here rendered by a chorus of children under Mr Mackintosh, accompanied by Mr Neal. A letter was read from the Rev. Mr Willis, apologising for his unavoidable absence that evening. Mr Richard Reynolds was introduced, and after a few complimentary remarks, read the following balance-sheet : — The Waikato circuit having been divided into three circuits by the last Conference, at the request of the circuit quarterly meeting, held in September, this will be the last annual balancesheet of the Waikato circuit. The following accounts of income and expenditure are for the year ending December 31st, 1881 :—lncome:: — Income : Cambridge (collections Li 18 6s Bd, subscriptions L 99 «5s 6d)> I'ZiB 2s 2d ; Pukerimu (collections Lg 18s 4d, subscriptions L2B 7s 6d), L2B ";s tod ; Hamilton (collections L5l 2s 1 id, subscriptions LlB >2s 6d), L6g 15s s_d; Te Awamutu (collections L 36 16s 7tl, subscriptions Ll2 10s 6d), L 49 7s id ; Patcran/fi (collections Lv 17s id, subscriptions L 7 4s), Li 9 is; Kihikihi (collections L 7 16s Bd, subscriptions L 2 15s), LiotisBd; WhatawhaU (collections L 5 12s 3d, subscriptions L 3), L8 12s 3d: Tuhikaramea (collections L$ 12s 2d, subscriptions 15s), L 6 7s 2d; Hautapu (collections L 2 17s id, subscriptions ss), L 3 zs id; Eureka (collections), L 2 12s 9d; Woodlands (collections), L 6 19s lod; Kirikiriroa (collections), L 3 )os nd ; collected for Home Mission Fund, L 35 16s 9_d ; grant from Home Mission Fund, L«J3 ss; special circuit offertories, L2l 15s nd: lotal, LS47 5s tid. Expenditure: Stipends, L 38 0: connexional funds, L 49 19s ; horse and travelling expenses, L 32 5s id; printing and advertising, 1. 7 18s; stamps and telegrams, Li 10s ; new horse, L2O 10s gd ; fire insurance, L 2 14s ; rates, L 2 ss ; foreign missions, L 5 3s 4d; Home Mission Fund, L 35 iCs gd ; parsonage fixtures, L 7 2s ; class books, 2s: Total, L 547 5s nd. Mr R. D. Stewart then came forward and delivered a very entertaining discourse on the subject of " Our past life," taking his text from the book human experience. The speaker referred at considerable length to the lessons derivable from our past career, and how they should be applied to our present and future life. He showed that there was a right and a wrong use of the past, and that the right use of the past will not, likojnany other things of great value, be fdunu *in a moment, a day, a year, or perhaps a lifetime, but requires diligent seafen, and the earnest application of our judgment and reasoning faculties. He traced the various stages of the human being from the cradle to the grave, each with its own particular moral. The man of years looks back to the scenes of his childhood, his boyhood, his days of wooing, and hia entrance into man's estate, and wishes that these days would tee more. The errors of the past be the guiding star of a man's Our errors of judgment, of , and of confidence in the past lot be thrown away, but retained

as lessons for our future guidance. The causes of our errors should be ascertained and the ineffaceable mark they make upon our character considered, and having thus discovered the origin and source of our past griefs and misfortunes we should be wary they did not occur again. Though our past life is black with faulty we should never despair, but beuefitting by the lessons we had learned, set out on our journey with the determination to avoid our faults in future. Mr -Stewart tii en adduced several adaptations of his doctrine, and having brought his lecture to a successful and logical issue, resumed his seat amidst great applause. Song, Mrs Heinrich, " Let me dream again." The Rev Mr Griffith then addressed the meeting. He congratulated the reverend gentlemen who were taking their departure from the district, on the successful and useful career they were just about to terminate. During his brief stay in the district he had heard people ask each other what they thought the new parsons would be like. It seemed from this that they depended entirely upon the minister for the success of all matters in connection with the welfare of the church. This was a great mistake. He would remind' all those who call themselves Christians, a name which brings with it individual responsibility with regard to the propogation'of God's truth and Word, and the prosperity of the church to which they belonged, that God looks for effort and co-operation in every one calling himself by the name of Christian. Apart from the labours of the minister, there are separate duties to be performed by others. Every one has a powerful moral influence over all with whom he comes in contact if he would but exert that influence in a proper way and help the minister in the good work in which he is engaged. Miss Maud Nixon, a pupil of the Sunday-school, read the following original lines, which were received with much applause :—: —

Lines Descriptive of Pi.aci's o\ tiil last Waikato Circuit Plan. In Cambridge, liberal souls arc found; In Pukerimu, men arc sound In Hamilton, they much aspire ; In Te Aw.irnutu, there is fire ! In Paterangi, God is feared ; In Kihikihi, are churches reared; In ' Kar.imea, true men are found ; In Hautapu the youne abound ; In Woodlands, truth is well received ; In Kinkiriroa, believed In Alexandra, speed the word ' And Whatawh.itj.'s praise record.

Presentation. The following address, accompanied with a purse containing 23sovs., was presented to the Rev. Mr Bull by the chairman, Mr Henry Buttle :—: — Cambridge, March 25th, 1882. To mi- Ruv. HtNR\ Bum. Dear Sir.-'— A few friends, residing in the "Waikato district, arc desirous on this occasion of testifying'thcir appreciation of the success that has attended your indefatigable exertions, in freeing this church from the debt with which it was encumbered on your arrival in this neighbourhood. They ha\c also the greatest pleasure in recording the gencrcil expression of esteem for your many sterling qualities, and regret at jour departure, that has manifested itself amongst the members of the various religious denominations in this place, who in bidding you farewell, unite with us in wishing th.-.t every blessing and happiness may attend you wherevci you may be located, and in begging your acceptance of this purse of sovereigns. (Signed on behalf of the church) jS^rlZou* } Circuit Stewards. The Rev. Mr Bull, in acknowleding the presentation, said the compliment which had that evening been bestowed upon him was totally unlooked for and altogether unexpected. He would prize their gift very dearly, and begged to tender through the chairman his hearty thanks to the persons who had so manifested their appreciation of his impei feet services. He had never felt more keenly on leaving a place where lie had administered to the spiritual wants of the people, since leaving Titnani some 13 years ago, than he felt on taking his departure from among the people of Cambridge. He believed in the itinerant system of changing the ministers every three yeais, as it awis calculated to do the largest amount of good to the largest number. The itinerant system also harmorised with the working of the human mind. Theie were a few people in every district whom the minister could never reach or convert, while another minister coming fresh among them would, by some unseen agency, reach the hearts of those people whom his predecessor would never have converted. This system also afforded variety and the growth of useful knowledge, which can only be obtained by travelling in different places and among all classes. This knowledge — the knowledge of the human character — was not to be derived from books. Travelling was a very important factor in the education of a minister, and consequently on these grounds he believed the itinerant system a good one. Mr Bull then referred at considerable length to the dark and the bright sides of a minister's lite, giving many incidents in connection with his own during his sojourn in Waikato as illustrations in point. The only apparent drawback (?) he expected to find at the Thames was that instead of keeping a horse with which to ride about, he could only keep a pony, and that was Shanks's pony. He then refeired to the unity which existed among his brethern in Waikato. Union was one of the most prominent featmes in their character, as far as their spiritual interest was concerned, and this fact was fully demonstrated by the love and good feeling which was always characteristic of their many social assemblies. He had also to congratulate them on the number of conversions which they had been successful in effecting among people whom they had restored from darkness to light. The heavy debt under which the circuit had laboured had been blotted out ; indeed he could assure them he never would have accepted their kind donation had this been otherwise (applause). Through the exertions of the Rev. Mr Griffin a fine new church had been built at Hamilton, which was a credit to the zeal and devotion of the people. He had to return his acknowledgments to Messrs Buttle and Reynolds for the great assistance which they had always rendered him, and the good feeling with which they had always discharged their respective offices. Song by Mr Neal « The Wreck of the Hesperus." The Rev. Mr Evans then came forward, and for over half-an-hour kept the audience in continuous laughter, the practical illustration of his subject being a matter of much entertainment. He resumed his seat amidst much applause. Song, " The Fairy Jane" Mr Meacham. Mr Griffin also delivered an address. He did not believe in the itinerant system, for he could not see that the advantages which it bestowed were sufficient to counterbalance the disadvantages. He could not say that he was Borry at leaving Waikato. By saying this they might suppose him rather selfish ; that he had got all out of Waikato that he could, and now wanted to be off. Well, there was some truth in that, but not all the truth. The reverend gentleman having related many of the adventures of his life in Waikato, eliciting much mirth, bade farewell to his friends in the Cambridge circuit. Song and chorus by children, " Is your lamp bnrning, my .brother," Master McAlpine taking tiie solo in a very creditable manner. A r,eoitation by Mr RothweU followed'

after which Mr Bull was presented with a silver inkstand by the children attending the Sunday-Rchool, accompanied, by the following address :—: — Camhridgu Wkslkvan Sunday-school. March 27th, 1882. To the Row Henry Hull, Cambridge. Dear Sir, — On the ex c of your departure from amongst us, we desire to express our feelings of respect and esteem for you. The kindly sjmpathy yoa have always shewn, and the interest you have ever taken in all matters connected with our Sabbath -school have been highly appreciated and pmed by us. "We ask your acceptance of this inkstand as a small token of our gratitude, and as something- to remind you of happy hours spent with the children of Cambridge. Wishing you, Mrs Bull, and your children every happiness and blessing. Signed, on behalf of the school, by_ Henry Buttle, Superintendent. F. W. JoNts, Secretary. Majuha Alford, Teacher. Ai &s, I Solars. Mr Bull suitably acknowledged the present. Duet, "To thee, oh better land," was then rendered by Misses Alice Reynolds and Morshead. The usual votes of thanks having been called for and given, and prayer having been said, the meeting terminated.