BAPTIST TABERNACLE, CAMBRIDGE. Anniversary Soiree and Induction Service.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2220, 30 September 1886, Page 2

BAPTIST TABERNACLE, CAMBRIDGE. Anniversary Soiree and Induction Service.

Tftr anniversary soiree in connection with the Baptist Tabernacle, Cambridge, Was held on Tuesday evening, when Pat»tor Griffiths was formally inducted to his new charge. The building was filled to its utmost capacity, and a very pleasant evening was spent by the congregation and their friends. A bounteous tea was provided at half-past six, and the .tables were profusely spread with appetising dainties which met with due appreciation. Camellias and other choice flowers wero liberally used to decorate the feast, and the scene wan exceedingly bright and cheerful. The following are the ladiel who provided tables :— Mrs and Miss Fitzgerald, Mrs Mynott and Mrs Smerdon, Mrs J. junr. and F. Houghton, Mrs Gerrish and Mrs McNVish, Mrs Harris, Mrs Begg, and Mrs Trewheellar, and the manner in which they catered for their guests was deserving of the highest commendation. After the tables were cleared, Mr John Houghton, senr., took tho chair, accompanied on the platform by the Revs. Spurgeon, Evans, Rishworth, Jones and Griffiths, and opened the proceedings by giving out the 680 th hymn, which was sung by the assemblage, after which the Rev. J. Rishworth engaged in prayer. The anthem " Behold How Good and Joyful," was then sung by the choir, the bass solo being taken by Mr Hedgoock, and the harmonium accompaniment being played by Mr J. Honghton, junr., who presided at the instrument during the evening. After the anthem, the chairman said they were met together under peculiarly happy circumstances on account of the combination of the anniversary of the church with the welcoming and recognition of their new pastor. He briefly alluded to the steps taken in connection with obtaining a pastor for the chinch, and extended a cordial welcome to Mr Griffiths. (Applause.) Pastor Griffiths expressed his appreciation of the welcome accorded him, and said he hardly felt a new-comer among them. He proceeded to give his roasons why he had offered himself for tho work of church ministry, and feelingly related his experiences when first brought to the Lord eleven years ago. Since that time he had worked among young men, and was led from stage to stage until he now offered himself for the full work of the ministry. Time after time he had laboured in Auckland with happy results, and hoped again in Cambridge to be instrumental in saving souls. He submitted to the Manual of the Church and the doctrines contained therein. Those doctrines he fully believed and purposed preaching. Some people thought that the Goapwl had lost its power in thp.se days of advanced thought. Many improvements had been made in science and other things, but human nature had not improved, and he pulpit could never be done away with. The pulpit was the only nipans by which m m could be reformed, "the only means by which the wot Id could ha innovated. This l> .itform was not a pedestal for him, but for the Cross of Christ, which he would lift up. " Brethren of the Church, asters of the Church lend me your hands of f.iith and your works of love, and so shall the Go.-pel be extend >d and inviv s.inls brought to Christ. May God bless us, and our future be one of success." Quartette, "Peace, lovely psacn," Mrs Hedgcock, Miss Trewheelar, and Messrs F. Houghton and Hedgcock. Pastor Spurgeon said the occasion was one of double interest, the birthday of tho Church, and the induction, or as lie would prefer to call it, the introduction and recognition of his brother Griffiths. These two pleasant matters might be compared to the two handles of a plough, on which they put their hands at the same time, and wished it God speed. He was real glad, as the Yankee said, to be with them on their birthday, as he was here when the Church was born, and acted as a sort of godfather. Brother Webb had set the Church going, and he (the speaker) had stayed to preach the opening sermons in the new-born Church. He had taken great interest in them since, had often been with them in person, and far more frequently in spirit and in heart. It was difficult for him to get away from Auckland, but he was rejoiced to be among them. It did him good in body, mind, and soul, and never had he felt this more than on the present occasion. There were many good friends in Auckland who felt a great interest in our Church in Cambridge. He said " our " because he felt a personal interest in it. - The one in Auckland was the old tabernacle, and this was the young one. Dr. Kenderdine, though not a member of the Auckland Church, always remembered this Church in a practical manner. He had that day received a telegram from Dr. Kendeidine, which h<3 would read : " Please accept five pounds for anniversary." (Applause). He prayed fervently that God would bless this Church. It had had its troubles and vicissitudes, but had goc over them, and he trusted they would raise a stone "Ebenezer," and trust God all through. The introduction of Mr Griffiths was all over. He (the speaker) was not theie to exhort their pastor. He knew it was the rule and order in some Churches for the tutors of the college, or patriarchs of the denomination, grave and reverend men, to catechise the newly-appointed preacher, and he didn't object to the practice so long as they kept their hands off his head, for he did not believe in impo-' sitinn of any kind. Towards Brother Griffiths he felt as a fellow servant among the prophets. Brother Griffiths recognised, and he wanted them to recognise th.it their pastor was set apart for a solemn office, not by human hands, but by a special call. He remembered some years ago seeing painted on the walls, placarded in the omnibuses, and even stencilled on the pavements in the large towns of England, the words, " Who's Griffiths?" Wherever you went the question met your eye. It was a source of universal curiosity and general comment. After people's curiosity had been worked up to a high pitch, some months afterwards, the mystery was partially explained, for then to the mysterious question the answer was appended "the safe man," and people found out tint Griffiths was a •manufacturer of safe*. He supposed the association of ideas had set him thinking of this, and he felt he was not far off the mark when he said their Griffiths is the "safe man/ for first, he is a saved in in, and no other man could preach the Gospel; and he is safe because he will preach in this place what God has taught him. Tne simple Gospel will be his constant theme, and this is the best of fare, and he who eaters for the j church will find no provender so sweet as this, "Christ and him crucified." This will bo his constant theme, and I trust that he will never tire of preaching, nor you of hearing it. Some great preachers had fallen off, because novv-a-days they preached to suit the times and advanced thought, but ho, the speaker, was prepared to stand on the ground that our fathers took years ago and preach the simple Gospel. Mr Griffiths had one fault in common with himself. They were both young, but they would grow out of that, and in the mini-stiy it was best to begin young. He was glad that Mr Griffiths meant to go in for .saving souls. The highest ambition of a minister's or any Christian's heirt was to pluck brands from the burning fire. Brother Griffiths longs for this, and wants to see all the people in Cambridge, on the Lord's side. He and his friends will woik for this and give God the glory. The people would need to help him with their sympathy, their co-operation, prayer, and loving help. They no doubt had heard of the three rs, reading, writing, and 'rithmotic, and possibly had heard of the three ps, plumbing, painting, and glaring. No, it must have been an Irishman tha*". said that, He must have meant paperhanging, and tho three gs that should be the three gs of every preacher, the Gospel of the grace of God. He would draw their attention to the three ns, energy, enterprise, and enthusiasm. The church could not get on without these. Sonic time since be had complimented a lady on some fine ducks she bad, when she replied, " Yes, but the 9tiipid things never begin to lay till eggs are eigbtpenc© a dozen." Now, if those ducks hod possessed any enterprise they'd have laid when eggs were half-a-crown a dozen. And so with many church members ; their energy and enterprise were of the tMghtpence-a-dozen order. When everybody else was enterprising they would follow, but could not; or would not display any individual enterprise. Then, as to enthusiasm, he did not recommend enthusiasm of the " Hallelujah Kangaroo" older. They might laugh, but he had seen announcements of a man who called himself tho " Hallelujah Kangaroo." He did not wish to say much about these people who tiavestied religion, but he did not wish to bee them copy enthusiasm of that kind, but to show an earnest love for Christ. He felt sure that Bi other Griffiths would study to show himself approved unto God, not fraiinp the frown or seeking the favour of a man. "May God Hess his work to you, a

and so shall Cambridge bo the more blessed by his residence and Christ tlie more glorified." Hymn 541 was now sung. Rev. Mr Jones, of Ponsonby, said his first words would be of congratulation to this church and to Brother Griffiths. To this church because of its anniversary and the advent of Brother Gnffiths and to Brother Griffiths for the prospect he had before him of labouring f<h the Master and giving his all to Him. He had been a-,keH to speak this evening more particularly to the Chinch. Tho Church, as well as the pastm, desired God's grace to bemulti plied. Home people di 1 not mind being preached to, but objected to be preached at. He believed in preaching at people, and would make it his lifelong duty to do so. The iioiinal condition of .1 Christian was one of activity. He could not believe in such a thing as an inactive Christian, as if the Saviour was in their lives and in their hearts they could not be inactive. If every child of God recognised this, there would be less evil in the world. He compared the active Christian to a plough which is kept bright by use, while tho unused plough becomes rusted and worthless. God does not work by those who are not converted, though there were exceptions, und to work effectually there must be" harmony in the Church. This #rent truth was often taught in the Gospel. The Church was taught to " pray with one accord." Some said that brotherly love would'Onsurc harmony. Ho did not believe this. Paul and Barnabas, who. undoubtedly loved one another, could nofc worn together. In the Church it was not so much unanimity that was required as diversity m unanimity. There were many spheres of labour in the Church, and every member was not fitted for the same sphere. Let each find out what he can do best, and when found do it. When working for God eacn should have a special object, but not have any "fads." Have only the one object, to glorify Him who died for you. Some people work without an object, but such work cannot bo productive. Have an an object, and let it be this : to bring souls to Him who died, and to do all to the gloiy of God. He Would impress upon them the necessity of their helping their pastor in every possible way. Let every member of the congregition be an evangelist. Some pieachers believed in endeavouring to attract large congregations, but they were told to " feed the lambs," not t.> gather them in, and it was the duty of the congregation to bring their friends to the told. May God in His mercy irradiate this house. He would bespeak for the pastor the prayers of the congregation. Choir : " What are these that are ai rayed in white robes.' Rev. W. Evans expressed the pleasure he felt at meeting with Christian*. To meet with Christians was a desirable and a happy thing But a Great deal depended on what soit of Chiistians they were. Some professing Christians only wore a thin mask or covering of Christianity ; ju^t as when a fire broke out at Moscow it was discovered that the on rang outang was a man in the disguise of a monkey. Ho did n<>t like ourang outang Christians. Then there were some very odd Christians. He had been acquainted with one very good, pious Christian who was a fellow-passenger of his, and who used to abuse his own wife, while at the same time his conscience was so sensitive that it would not allow him to woiship with the otlrjr p issenger-., as he belonged to the "Brethren.'' Those to whom he h-vi referred were not the soit of Cliri.-itu.ns whose company he liked. But there was "mother clais of men, who-o hoaits have beon enlightened by the gracoof God, and whoso .souls are on fire with love. Tho.>e were the Christians with whom he loved to associate. It did n-<t matter to what particular persuasion a nun belongud if a mtn's heart was right with God, he was a true Christian, a true member of the Church of G.kJ. The Church of God had a vast woik to do, and if the people of God set their hearts on accomplishing it they would all see a giea-t and glorious woik accomplished. He was gl.id to b • among them, and hoped to find in Mr Griffiths a new neighbour eugaged in doing God's work in the district. He prayed for God's blessing on him and on his efforts. Hymn No. 781 wa> then sung. Rev. J. RiVhworth said Mr Spurgeon's story of the mysterious Griffiths lomindod him of an anecdote of a Roman Catholic priest, who ensured a large attendance at his chapel, by j/mouueing the previous Sunday that he would next weak addre-s his hearers fir-t, on what he knew, and they did not; secondly, on what they knew and he did not; and lastly, on what neither he nor they knew; fulfilling his proiwie by telling them ho needed a h-trso badly for his pastoral rounds, the lack of one sometimes causing him to be too late to attend adcithbed, and if they did not know the serious consequence of this he did. Then ino->t of them had numbers of horses, and coulrl easily spaie one, but whether they intended giving him one or not .they know, but he didn't. And, lastly, he was aware that some of them had asked the Bishop to remove him, but whether the Bishop would comply with the request neither party knew. He would give them a brief outline of the duty of parents to their children at home. No third person should be allowed to come between parent and child. The father should be priest to his own household. God intended this, and if patents did their duty they would soon have the Church filled with converted people, and it was for easier to preach to converted people than to careless worldly chips. He would impress upon them the need of reveienee in the house of God. Some people actually seemed to come there for amusement, but some people had no heads to got at, and therefore you could not get at the hearts of such. A great deal lies with the parents. Children are peculiarly *u^ceptihle to religion, then claim the children for Jesus If this were done, his friend Mr Griffiths would have a good time, and he, the speaker, prayed that he and all of them might have a good time. May God grant it. The Chairman briefly returned thanks to the speaker and others who had given their services and provided refreshments. He was glad to see the gentlemen who were present on the platform, as he believed that such meetings were calculated to do them all good by bringing the churches closer together. Hymn No. 918 was then sung, and after Pastor Spnrgeon had delivered the benediction, the meeting terminated.