BROADFIELD WESLEYAN CHURCH.

♦ The reconstruction of the above building having been completed, re-opening services were conducted on the 12th ult. by the Rev Mr Gillams, of Chriitchurch, and on Wednesday last a very pleasing incident took placo at the church. Mrs Aiken,Jone of the members who has worked very hard and been most energetic in collecting subscriptions towards defraying the cost of the rebuilding, invited a number of the ladies resident in the district and a few of the male members of the congregation who have, taken special interest in the restoration of the church, to meet Mr Samuel Early, sen., and his son, Mr William Early, through whose efforts the work has been mainly accomplished, A "mothers'" meeting waß held in the afternoon, at which addresses were delivered by Mrs Scott, of Chrisfcehurch, and Mrs Smalley, after which the members Bat down to tea, generously and bountifully provided by Mrs Aiken. Tea being over, ifc was pro--posed by Mr Manning and seconded by Mr Aiken,— "That the Rev J. S. Smalley being unavoidably absent, Mrs Smalley occupy the chair," which was carried unanimously. Mrs Smalley read a letter from tho Rev J. S. Smalley, addressed to Mr Early, regretting that he was unable to be present on the occasion, and, among other remarks, stated that such a work of personal self-sacrifice and labour, as the recently accomplished one, was unique in his ministerial experience. Mrs Smalley then introduced the business of the meeting, which was publicly to tender the thanks of the congregation to Mr Samuel Early, Ben., and Mr William Early for the great services they had rendered, and to present them with a framed illuminated address. Mrs Aiken expressed tho gratification it afforded her to meet so many of her neighbours (mothers of girls who had received their religious teaching and training at the Broadfield Wesleyan Sunday School) within tho walls of the church which had been so beautifully restored by Mr Samuel Early, sen,, and his son, Mr William Early. She then read tho address, as follows : — "On behalf of the ladieß resident in the district of Broadfield, Canterbury, Now Zealand, we, the undersigned; desire to exprees our heartfelt appreciation of the Christian zeal aud energy *you have displayed in the re-construction of the Broadfield Wesleyan Church. "Wo feel thafc it haß been mainly owing to your sustained and unwearied efforts thafc the completion of the restoration of the church hes been effected ; and thafc bufc for fche aeassistance which you rendcrod ifc would have been (from fche facb of the' members being so few) an impossibility to havo undertaken such an extensive work. " Wo feel assured that it haa been to you a labour of love to have engaged in the restoration ana embellishment of fche church, and we thank you very heartily for planning itß reconstruction, and for the large amount of gratuitous labour you bestowed upon it. "In presenting you with this slight; tribute of our regard and esteem, we wish you and tho members of your families, health, happiness, and prosperity, and we fervently express the hopo that you may be Bpared for many years to worship with them and us in the Broadfield Wesleyan Ohurch, and receive blessed consolation from the religious ordinances performed therein ; and thafc in years to como, your descendants may regard tho church with reverent pride, inasmuch v* 1 , ' The work was perfected by you, and that you sot tho Houso of God in His state and strengthened it.' ,m«r n« „ < S . igned > " ' &C " Mr G. C. Manning, in a few words, supported the presentation of tho address, and then Mr Early returned his sincere thanks for the address, and for the kindly wishes which all present had expressed for tho welfare of himself and family. Noticeable, along the extent of tho platform under the pulpit, wns the toxt inscribed in large old English letters, by Mr Manning, " God is nofc unrighteous, that Ho will forget your works, and labour tliat, proceedeth of love." The address, suitably framed, is an exceedingly handsomo illuminatod one, beautifully executed by Mr Goodman of Christchurch. Tho proceedings terminated by all singing the Doxoloct.