PRIMITIVE METHODIST RECEPTION SOIREE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 238, 7 October 1891, Page 5

PRIMITIVE METHODIST RECEPTION SOIREE.

In epibe of bhe unfavourahle weather last evening, a very large number attended the soiree held in the Frankiin Road Church bo welcome the three new ministers lrom England, the Revs. Boys, Carr, and Grindley. After the tea tables had been twice refilled and the good things done ample justice to, the friends adjourned to the church, where bhe public meeting was held, presided over by D. Goldie, Esq. After prayer by the Rev. J. Guy, Mr Goldie gave an interesting account of the origin of the connection, and went on to show that although the connection had been in existence lees than 90 years, it has to-day in active work over 1,100 ministers, also an army of 16,000 local preachers, and a membership of 194,000. He also pointed out thab other churches are endeavouring .to embody the polity of the Primitive Methodist Church in their church government. Mr T. Booth and Rot. J. Guy were then called upon to give an official welcome to the new ministers, which they did in a few choice terse sentences. Mr Guy welcomed the young men on behalf of the ministers, and wished them a most happy and prosperous career in this colony. Rev. F. W. Boys, who has' been appointed to Invercargill, was then called upon, and in a humorous and telling speech thanked bhe friends for the hearty reception accorded to him, expressing himself as thoroughly devoted to his work and anxious to serve the connection.

The Rev. G. Grindley said he was most thankful he had got to the end of his voyage (he having been appointed to Pitt and Edwin streets Church, Newton). , He had been more than delighted with the manner in which he and his brethren had been received, and felt that he was among a hearty people, and was nob ab all desirous to leave this city. In a shorb, pointed address, he pointed out the lines on which churches should progress, and advocated their keeping in touch with the masses around hhem.

The Rev. G. Carr, in a vigorous speech, denounced the way in which many people went from church to church, and did no good to any ol them. He spoke of the elements of a working church, and hoped that ab New Plymouth (where he ie stationed) he would find the people as eager and active in CLristiun work as they appeared to be in Auckland. The Rev, J. Dawaon, of the Thames, then gava one of his characteristic speeches, and quite carried away the people with his telling points. The Rev. W. Laycock then proposed the usual votes of thanks, the first being to John Earle and Co., who gave the tea, and Mr J. Scbjschka, vvhogare the hams ; then came the ladies, who generously provided all the cake, pastry, etc. ; the choir, alao, under the conductorship of Mr Dimery, and Mr Goldie for his excellent address and chairmanship of the me.eting. Theee were carried unanimously, and the benediction being pronounced all went home highly delighted with the successful meeting.