THE NEW ZEALAND EVENGELISTC. ASSOCIATION: HAMILTON BRANCH. Anniversary Services.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1754, 2 October 1883, Page 2

THE NEW ZEA LAND EVENGELISTC. ASSOCIATION : HAMILTON BRANCH. Anniversary Services.

Tm: fir-,t anniversary horvices in connection with Mr Ald.tdgc's congicgatioii were held at LeQueMie's Hall, Hamilton East, on Sunday last. Mr (4c \A. Brown, of Auckland, was the preacher at both morning and evening 1 services. Despite the wretched condition of the weather, there were good congregations, that in the evening being especially numerous. Prayer was t-aid by Mr Aldridga, and the congregation sang several of Sankey's hymns. Mr Brown took for hits subject in the evening, " Conditional Immortality in connection with modern thought," basing his discourse upon the opening verses of the Mrs>t Epistle General of John, and especially upon the words " l'\>r the life was manifested, and we have &een it, .and bear witness, and show unto you that etornal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us." The preacher commenced by referring to the numerous phases of modem thought, contending that the giowth of fi x 6AMthoughfc and infidelity was the logical resintTbf the false views of Christ presented' by ths teachers of Orthodoxy. If the Saviour was not "life, 1 if immortal life were possible apart from Him, then Christianity *ank down into a mere system of morality. There were other moral teachers whose precepts were as grand, as ennobling as tho^e of Christ. It was not as an ethical teacher that Christ c une into comparison with Confucius or Buddha, Indeed, it was perfectly true that He had embodied the t>3st of their precepts in His own moral ode. He did not compare with them at all. He outshone, transcended all other fceachei-s that had ever existed on the earth, in that he offeie 1 Ihh desciples " eternal life." Through Hun alone was it possible to attain to immortality. Mr Brown then proceeded to show in detail how the doctilne of conditional immortality is alone in coii'-onancj with the teaching of Christ. The lecture was a thoughtful one, and was listened to with milked attention by those present. Tho mesting closed with prayer.

Soiree. The first annual tea, meeting 1 of the congregation was hold jn LeQue&nc's Hall last night, and was most successful. The committee appointed had nude admirable arrangoments, j>nd the details, under the supervision of Mosdames Htoadtnan, Hines and Downing were ably carried out. Over 140 persons partook of the tea provided, and ab soon as the tables were cleared the hall rapidly filled with people desirous of hearing the addresses. Mr C. Tippen being called to the chair, said that, having taken great intciest in the work since ho had first heard Mr Brown deliver a lecture, now twelve months ago, he could not refuse to take the chair, although he felt his xinfitness for the position. It was a great honour to be asked to take the position at their first anniversary. In speaking on the subject of their belief, he felt sure if those people who now found | fault with them would attend and judge for themselves they would soon learn to endorse their view.*. Mr Aldridge, on being called upon by the chairman, prefaced his lemarks by .saying that some people ho knew always felt at dome at a tea meeting, but he was not one of them ; but a few thoughts had come into his mind that he could hardly give expression to at their Sunday meetings. The foremost of these was the recollection of the fhst time he came amongst them, just twelve months ago. He never expected such success ; his hopes had been more than realised. There were two reasons why the As -ociation had decided to plant him in their midst. One was that so many people at Mr Brown's first lecture showed by their looks that they were anxious to hear more on the subject, and a far greater one was that they might induce people to lead their bibles. In conclusion, he tendeied his heai ty thanks, on behalf of the Association, for the kindness of those who had provided for that evening's entertainment. He also Avould thank those who had not provided, but who had come to enjoy. Mr Steadman next addressed the meeting, giving a brief outline of the mission. They had numbered but few at the beginning, but now they were growing daily m faith and numbets. He was sure the congiegation were deeply grateful to Mr Aldridge and the Association for coming among.st ! them, and he begged to move that a hearty j vote of thanks be accorded them. Mr Brown, in responding to the invitation of the chairman, said that while he had been sitting there he had hardly been able to control nis deep feelings of gratitude for the success which had been accorded their efforts in Hamilton. Mr Brown then gave a very interesting account of his decision to leave England for New Zealand, of the difficulties he had had to overcome before he found himself in a position to commence lecturing and expounding the views ho held, and of the charges made against him when he succeeded in drawing large congregations, that he was making money out of it. To meet these charges he had simply to say that the money collected at their Opera House services was entirely devoted to extend the sphere of the Association, by publishing the Bible Standard, and assisting to plant ministers in other places. felt thankful for what he hacKf^^Aat night, that their steps had been OiLwd to Hamilton. He earnestly desired vis hearers to help them out of some of their difficulties, ,one of which was to prove to their traducers that they lived better lives, as a result of their teachings. He would also advise them not to be too ready to argue, but to cultivate the calm, quiet spirit of their Master, and he prayed God to help them to be strong and of good faith and patient, also, for the Master^ glory. During the evening the choir aang several of Sankey's hymns, led by Mr Aldridge. The benediction, pronounced by Mr Aldridge, brought the meeting to a close. Mr G. A. Brown will deliver a lecture at the same place this evening, on "Signs of the Times , or, What are we coming to 1 "

The route 'of Mr Bond's pure-bred Clydesdale, Nugget, and that of the name ownerfe popular thoroughbred sire Ariel, will be found in QW advertisement columns. Mr Henry Cap announces that he has ' qoirimqnaed business us a general blacksmith in the premises near Camp's Tamahere Hotel,' and respectfully solicits orders. Mr John Wood, Te Aroha, advertises f>r sale -by, tender his' valuable freehold property in, Hamilton./ Eullparticulars in th.3 advertisement.,' * . Messr? J.rHu/itpifajid Co; will sdl at the Cambridge Howe jawfc on Saturday next, draught f mare.by. V TeZoqti," draught *nd cart horsoj, Kji^w and plough, hfinvk