RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2102, 29 December 1885, Page 4

RAGLAN.

OS Sunday, December 13tfe t the R>>v. Mi Dellosv?of H.umtton, held •orv.cos m he Wesleyan Churches in tin, district, viz , To Mate in the morning, W.utetuni in the afternoon, and Rvglan in the evening At each place large congregations assembled , and attentively listened to the rev gentleman. Tho sen ice held at Raglan w of an impressive chaiacter The preacher took for hn subject tho "Piodig.il *>■•", and in a ser.es of w.ml picture* .ulmuably drawn, riveted the attention of the congro-Mi-i.»n.wy meetm* w.w h-ld p* the Olcete chmch on Monday, th- 14t1.. the R-v. Mr Dellow being present n , ;l depurttion fr«m the Mission. Mi vv. H W.illi-, occipied the chair, anil in' a short address said he believed that thoro »ah * * l ° at I" store for them, and welcomed Mi Bellow, who he thought w ™ ld n b .f * stranger no longer. The Rev. Mr Dellow then wiic 111 a vet y etlectivo manner. 1 h • song, " Not lost but gone before, which the audience highly Appreciated. The Rev. Mr Htephen*on then read the Wealeyan Homo Mission Report, and spoke in an interesting manner. He «« *«y nlad to be present and do what lie couM to help forward this good cause. Many thought tho Methodist Church wa* losing Ha distinctive character, and becoming fMhionable. But ho thought it was more active and earnest than ever in nutting | forth efforts for tho -.ilvatum of souls, and | to raise man from the death of Bin to tMrteonsneu. After dwelling upon the obstacles and persecution Christians endured in the past, he stated it was the habit of some to apologise for Christaiuty, but the Apostles did not so'do. They sealed their lives with their blood. After anothji hymn hy the choir, Mr Dellow then spoke, and in an eloquent tnd earnest manner delighted the audience. He was thankful to see the worthy ion of 0 worthy sire taking the chair this night He bore testimony to the life service <>f the Rev Mi Wallis as a missionary, who on one occasion stood between two hostile natives at the nsk of his own life, uior il conqueimg physical power at last. He was happy to bo here to do what ho could to adxunoe the service of Christ. He remembered tho advice of a local preache. who was a born orator "anddid notgiumb c about where to «ro." Home Mission funds are spent in New Zealand. He felt no sympathy for those whose whole bemtf was wrapped up m No. 1. If tlioy were put up to auction they would not fetcli a very bif? figure. But it was not the case with tho Home Missionary. He was engaged in as irrand a work as anything afloat. Let those who sneered at missionaries in the past show their courage by coming among the 1 Maoris. It was ea«y to do so now, when no real danger was apparent. Ihe old missionaries paved the wiy for cmlwatinn, and all honour to those grand old men. And had it not been for the introduction of drink amongst the natives and other evils they would not have decreased in population. As the Home Mission work required not only men but funds to carry on the woik, he hoped they would eive liberally. The native* until recently in Kaipara supported tho cause there. Speaking in a most feeling manner upon the ».vd calamity that has fallen upon Hauraki Paul, the native minister here, he wa-s thankful to recognise the good work carried on by Mr Stephenson. In many illustrations the rev. gentleman showed the necessity of perseverance. Ihe Rev. Mr Bavin was the means of converting a gum digger by reading to him in his hut. He p.wd tribute to the memory of the late Mr Schnackenbcig, whi^e memory was fragrant in this district, of whom he had heard from the lips of rough looking men from one end <>f the place to tlio other nothing but praise. He felt great sympathy with the Raglan people, and thanked Uod for the services held yesterday, feeling the presence of the Master in their mid<t, who by-andbye would give them the "crown t» wear. When the rev. gentleman sat down the song " Salvation " was snng by the cheir. Mr Peglcr followed and spoke for a short time, advocating the j cause they had met to assert, &c. Mr Stephenson proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Dellow, which Mr C. Gilmore, 111 a maiden speech, -oconded. Afrei a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting, which was well attended, separated.— (Own Correspondent.)