WESLEYAN CHURCH, HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3065, 8 March 1892, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH, HAMILTON.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICES. The annual harvest thanksgiving services in connection with the Trinity Wesleyan Church, Hamilton, were held on Sunday, and in every souse they were a pronounced success. The church was well filled in the morning, but in the evening it was crowded beyond any previous experience, forms having to be placed in the aisles to accom modate the crowd, and then many worshippers having to stand. The Rev. J. Thomas conducted the morning service, preaching from Amos, Bth chapter, and one clause of the 2nd verse;—"A basket of summer fruit." Mr White took the evening service, preaching from Isiah, 9th verse, and last clause of the 3rd verse : — " They joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest." The decorations of the church wero most elaborate, chaste and perfect of their kind, and reflect the highest credit upon the ladios of the church. The keynote of the decorations was a motto above the rostrum, "Give thanks to God," which was very neatly lettered in white, with a red back ground. The rostrum was in itself a marvel of brilliance, and a tasteful work of art, being adorned with large bunches of black and sombre grapes, apples and evergreens, while from the floor up to the reading desk there were pyramids of bright fruits ■ of all kinds, and miniature sheaves, of wheat, oats and barley, the whole forming a most striking and lovely picture of the fruits of harvest. And all the chandeliers the walls and windows were heavily laden with fruits, wreaths and a rich profusion of flowers. The singing of the choir and the performing of the orchestra, under the able conductoi ship of Mr Meuchani, was especially elfective, the whole being, crisp and inspiring. Daring the morning service they tendered in a finished style the anthem, ''L3t us go unto Bethlehem," and in the evening they were equally successful and pleasing in their rendering of " Let us lift our eyes." One very pleading feature of the services was the presence of some of the leading members of the Auglican and Presbyterian Churches. This spirit of reciprocity in connection with special services should be fostered a3 being not "tily christian but in keeping with the spirit of the age. We congratulate the Rev. Mr Thomas on the great success of the services, and learn with pleasure that his Church is prospering and his congregation increasing in numbers.