WESLEY AN CHURCH, HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2804, 3 July 1890, Page 2

WESLEY AN CHURCH, HAMILTON.

Annual Soiree and Meeting. Tim annual soiree of the above Church was held on Tuesday evening last, in the Church, which was nicely decorated for the occasion. About liiO people sat down to a sumptuous repast, which was provided by members of the congregation, the tables being presided over by the ladies, who managed everything perfectly, making tiie affair a complete success. After tea the tables were cleared for tho public meeting, and when the time had arrived for the meeting to commence the Church was filled to tho doors, all denominations being represented. The Rev. Mr Luvry (resident minister) presided, and, in his "peuing remarks, said he was glad to seo so mauy assembled together on this occasion, as it showed very clearly that they wero in full sympathy with the work of God m connection with thn Church. Ho was also sure that, everyono in tho room would bo glad to sec that on the platform the other sects wero well represented, as it showed a unity of spirit with tho other churches. Ho had much pleasure in introducing to tho meeting the Revs. Smith (Wesleyan) Te Awamutu, and Hendrie (Presbyterian) Hamilton, and Captain Thomas, of the Salvation Army, and called on Mr Smith (who is an old Waikato identity, having been minister for tho whole of the Waikato some 15 years ago) to address the meeting. Tho Rev. Mr Smith said he was glad to bo present on this occasion, and also to see a few old faces, but ho was much more glad to see that tho Church had made great progress. He made an exhaustive spcecli clearly showing how tho Church of God was making progress all over tho world. A few athiests and scoffers, he said, still remained in the world, trying to put down Christianity, but t.iiey wero a mere trifle in comparison to the millions at the present day who were true followers of the Lord desna Christ (hear, hear). He was glad to seo the Presbyterian Church represented on the platform, and also the Salvation Army (applause). Although they belonged todill'erent denominations, still they had only in view tile conversion of the people. It was only a sense of duty the Rov. Mr Hendrie said, that brought him there that night. Some people were bigoted in their religion, but his heart went out to ovory church who lifted up Christ as a crucified redeemer. He was glad that they (the Wesleyans) wero prospering, and wished them Godspeed in their undertakings. Mr Melville, seuiar circuit steward, thou read a statement of accounts for tho last quarter, which showed that nearly £10 aboTe t l ie average had been raised above the previous quarters. Captain Thomas said ho was glad to (unbrace tlio opportunity to ho present at such a representative meeting, and was glad to hear that the church was in a most prosperous condition. Wherever God's people were assembled ho was glad to ho present to sympathise and assist His people in their labours. It. was a grand thing to bo a true follower of the Lord, but it was a grander thing to be a co-worker with Him. He had been called into the Salvation Army by God, and there he intended to do what ho could for the salvation of the people. What God wanted was real sanctified men and women to go and work for Him, preaching the Gospel to a dying world, He concluded by urging everybody who had not yet started in the < Ihri.stian warfare to do so at once.

A number of songs, solos, iind recitations were rendered at intervals, tvhichenlivened the proceedings to a great extent, anil the prdj;l am hid was brought In a clone by a son;; by Mrs (J:i|it. Thomas, " The Now Sons,'," which was the gem uf the evening.

Votes of thanks were passed to all those who had assisted during tin: evening, and a most sati-factorv and encouraging gathering closed with tho singing of the Doxology.