JUBILEE BANQUET

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 22, 7 November 1935, Page 3

JUBILEE BANQUET

THE METHODIST CHURCH.

EARLY-DAY WORK RECALLED.

ASHBURTON PIONEERS HONOURED. One of the chief functions in connection with the diamond jubilee celebrations of Ashburton Methodism was the jubilee banquet, held in the schoolroom last evening, when honour was done to pioneer members of the church. The speeches were in reminiscent strain and, while all spoke with pride of the past, the challenge to the younger generation of the future was also stressed. There were many visitors present. The Rev. G. B. Hinton presided over an attendance of about 160 people. Associated with him on the platform \were the Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods) and Mrs Woods, Mesdames P. Rattray and C. Dixon, the Misses Andrews, Messrs G. W. Andrews, F. H. Steel and J. W. Baker. As the pioneers mounted the stage they were greeted with loud applause. There were also present the Rev. H. El. Bellhouse, of Sumner, and the Rev. T. W. Yealie, of Wellington (former ministers of the church), the Rev. A. C. Lawry, of Christchurch, the Rev. R. McGregor, of W.illowby, and the Yen. Archdeacon A. J. Petrie. A two-tier jubilee cake, given by the New Church Ladies’ Guild, occupied pride of place on the principal table. The 60 candles were lit by the pioneers. Proposing the toast of the pioneers, the Rev. Mr Bellhouse said he esteemed it a gi’eat pleasure to meet agsjin his many Ashburton friends. He said it was good to see so many of the foundation members present at the function and'he paid a tribute to their labours. It was a great privilege to do honour to those who had undoubtedly laid firmly the foundations of Methodism in thi(s. district. The young people should remember the unspeakable debt they owed to these pioneers. Mr Bellhouse called to mind those who had been the stiengtli of the church in the last 50 years, and charged the younger people to fulfil their responsibilities and not prove unworthy of their wonderful heritage. “Carry on the torch and hand it to your successors flaming brightly,” he concluded.

The First Sunday school. Mr Andrews made response and referred to the early days. He mentioned the opening ob the first Sunday School in 1875, and said he remembered that the collection amounted to <34s although there were only 17 children present. That was a good start, and the chuich work had never gone back. Pluck was necessary in the early days, and i was still necessary, he reminded the younger people. The speaker said he was still associated with Sunday school work and took a great delight in his connection with a numbei o schools in Ashburton. Mr Andrews thanked Mr Bellhouse for the toast. Mr Steel also expressed appreciation of the honouring of the toast In recalling incidents of the early history of Methodism, Mr Steel said few present knew of the difficulties with which the pioneers had to contend Once the trustees had had the bailiff m the church, and then when the first parsonage was in the course of action a north-west wind blew it down. Tl trouble was the north-westers vould not blow the debts away ! lam proud to call myself a Methodist,” condtided Mr Steel. “I will never ho able to repay the debt I owe to the Chmch, and I hope the younger people wiU i - member their debt and keep the flag flying. Let us delight in thoughts o the past, but watch the present an look for great things in the futuie. ‘Tty 2 ' ! Mr n p. M BSton "(dreuii who said he was proudJto be a Methodist. It was ato the annual Dominion conferences of the chu that the calibre of the ministers and laymen of the church was seen. He coir] trreat progress had been mad a? a result of the labours of ministers a J local preachers, of the eaerg.es ol the youth workers and of the loya J of the general members. The church filled an important place m the Dominion, and he did not forget the contribution of the women to tins success “Now let us look to tie future and aim at even greater progress,” concluded Mr Frampton. g Replying, the Rev. Mr Lawry spoke in happy vein. Ho praised the interest and labour of Mr Frampton for the circuit. “New Zealand Methodism is loving and pure, • and strong ant loyal to all that is the best and noblest in life,” said Mr Lawiy. “While we regard the modern paganism we should realise that the responsibility rests with us to root it out after we have searched and purged our own hearts.

influence in the Community. Mr Woods proposed the toast of “Ashburton Methodism,” and said it had as he knew it in the last ob years, exercised a great influence m the community. He had very pleasant recollections of his association with the church many years ago and had profited by his connection with it. He was sure that the influence on the civic life of the town of members of the church had been felt very mateiinllv He claimed that' many of his verv best friends in the town belonged to the Methodist Church, and extended hearty congratulations on the celebration of the diamond jubilee. Mr C. F. Horrill said that Methodists in Ashburton were thrilled by the doings in the j>ast « nd , tniG humility were proud of what had been and was being done. What was required in the present age was the Grace of God to which the Methodist Church was endeavouring to lead its people. The aim of all should be to be worthy of the past, equal to the demands of the present, and hopeful tor the future. “Sister Churches” was proposed bv the Rev. Mr Vealie, who praised highly the work of the new church Ladies’ Guild in raising £IOOO toward the cost of the present church in the last nine years. It was his opinion that Christianity was facing a great crisis, and

there was a movement toward more co-operation between the various denominations. The Christian way out was the only solution to the present impasse. There was a unity of spirit among the various churches to-day, and he hoped this would extend to assist in the work to which all were pledged. Archdeacon Petrie congratulated the church, on behalf of all sister churches, on the attainment of its jubilee and on the enthusiasm which members were displaying in the celebrations. He reminded present members that they were now making history, and asked them to follow nobly the steps of their predecessors. “God moves in a mysterious way, and I believe "that the present world difficulties will be the means. of accomplishing great things in the world, the churches standing shoulder to shoulder,” concluded the speaker. Greetings from former ministers and members of the church were read by the secretary of the Board of Trustees (Mr W. H. Higgins). These included congratulations from the Rev J. D. McArthur, of Timaru, on behalf of the South Canterbury District. The chairman also apologised for the absence of Mrs W. H. Collins, Miss E. Trevurza, and Mr W. T. Lill, and said failing health prevented other very old members from attending. Congratulations ivere conveyed by the Rev. Mr McGregor on behalf of the South Canterbury Synodal district, the chairman making reply. Vocal solos were contributed by Messrs W. T. Corbett, W. C. Bishop, and G. Warfiner. Misses R. Porter and G. Warriner played the accompaniments.