METHODIST CENTENARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 187, 8 August 1921, Page 4

METHODIST CENTENARY.

CELEBRATED IN AUCKLAND. Preparatory services and meetings in connection with the celebration of a hundred years' Methodist work in New Zealand have been commenced in Auckland. Yesterday morning the pulpit of the Pitt Street Church was occupied by the Rev. P. Knight. B-A.. In describing the immediate events which, led to the first Methodist minister coming to the Colony in January, 1522, Mr. Knight said that the beginning of the work in Australia was due to the efforts of a reformed and converted forger, who established the first class meeting for Christian fellowship. Then, two Methodist schoolmasters, Messrs. Bowden and Hosking, gathered a few people together for prayer and worship. The foundation of Methodism in New South Wales was, therefore, laid by laymen, and that was the beginning of the work in the Southern world. These men and some others asked the British Wesleyan Conference to send them a minister. Rev.' Samuel Leigh was sent, and he was the j first Methodist minister who preached in Australia and New Zealand. The evening preacher was the Rev. A. C. Lawry. general secretary of the Cen-1 tenary movement. He is the grandson j of the Rev. , Walter Lawry, who visited i New Zealand a hundred years ago with • his brother minister Mr. Leigh, and who ' commenced Methodist work in Tonga at that time. Mr. Lawry dwelt upon the changes wrought in New Zealand during the centenary, among the Maoris, in general society, and in individual lives, ! through the coming of the Gospel. Other churches were visited by special preachers, and good services were held. There will be several meetings in suburban churches during this week, and a great gathering of Methodists is being arranged for Wednesday evening. ! There will be a public tea in the East j Street Hall at 6 o'clock, which will be ! followed by a united meeting in the Pitt Street Church. The Revs. A. C. Lawvy i and W. A. Sinclair will be the chief i speakers, and other minister* and lay- | men will take part. It is hoped to raise i the sum of £45,000 for various Methodist Church purposes in New Zealand , by the Centenary celebrations. At the inaugural meeting held in Wellington the sum of £10,000 was announced as ! promised there. The fund now stands at about £13,000. and it is hoped that the promised list will lx> substantially increased by the Methodist family gathering on Wednesday next.