WESLEYAN HARVEST FESTIVAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2592, 21 February 1889, Page 2

WESLEYAN HARVEST FESTIVAL.

TtlU annual Harvest Thanksgiving sorvices in connection with the Wesleyan Church, at Hamilton, was held 011 Sunday last. The Church was tastefully decorated with tree fern and lycopodiuin, and there was a display of the fruits of the earth nicely arranged around the pulpit and in other parts of the building. The sen ices were conducted by the Rev. T. G. Carr and tho Rev. .) Dukes, formerly in charge of the circuit. Very appropriate and excellent sermons were preached at the morning and evening services, and the choir rendered the authems in an efficient manner.

The Ngaruawahia Church was alio neatly decorated, the gifts of vegetables and fruit being excellent. The Rev. Mr Dukes officiated and delivered an excellent sermon to a large congregation, appropriate hymns being sung.

At I'ukete, tho schoolroom wore quite a harvest aspect, and the Rev. Mr Dukes, preached, the schoolroom being well filled. The schoolroom at Tuhikaramea, besides decorations of ferns, flowers, corn, and fruit, had at each end nicely worked motto* in red letters on a white ground. The Rev. Mr Carr conducted the service, his theme being "Harvest Lesson." There was a good congregation at Whutawbata, the display of fruit and corn being effective. Special hymns wuro sung, and the .Rev, Mr Carr discoursed 011 " the gathering iu of the graat harvest," In continuation of the harvest celebration, the Rev. Mr Dukes lectured on Monday evening at the Wesleyan Church, Ngaruawahia, on " Dr. Guthrie.'' The attendance, though not large, was appreciative. Hymns from Siinkoy's Collection were interspersed. A vote of thanks was heartily passed to the lecturer, who replied in suitable terms, On Tuesday night the Rev. J. Dukes delivered a lecture in tha Wesleyati Church, Hamilton, on " Dr. Guthrie." He referred to the birth of Thomas Guthrie at Brecken in Forfarshire, his early exhibition of the talents he possessed, his education and laborious studies and subsequent call to the ministry, The lecturer also succinctly described, at length, hishomolife, hi.s great philantrophic efforts and his death, after a noble career, full of honours and beloved by the whole nation from the Queen down to tho poor and outcast, tho latter of whom he had so long devoted himself to. At intervals during the lecture, musical selections were given by the choir, and Capt. Reid sang 11 The Land o 1 the Leal," A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Dulces for his very instructive and interesting lecture.