MASHAM CHURCH.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20411, 4 December 1931, Page 13

MASHAM CHURCH.

JUBILEE REUNION., REMINISCENCES OF EARLY DAYS Reminiscences of' the early days of the Masham Methodist Church —the first Methodist Church outside of Christchurch —were related by speakers as the Diamond Jubilee tea and reunion concert held in the church last evening. The Rev. J. F. Jack, the present minister for the circuit, presided, and the attendance was so large that the tea had to be arranged in three sittings, and the church, though packed to its utmost, could not contain all who wished to be present at the concert. Mr Jack said that thoughts of those who founded the church 60 years ago were naturally uppermost at this time. They had laid the foundation not only of the church itself but of Methodism in the district. The work they had done would not be forgotten, and he hoped that from the presence of any of those members of earlier days there would come not only pleasant social intercourse but real spiritual benefit. The Early Days. The first Methodist gatherings in the district had been held in the homes of the church people, said Mrs'A. Peters, the daughter of one of the original members. From these had grown the need for a permanent meeting place, and a small band of people had got together, their efforts resulting in the erection of the Masham Church, the ground for which had been given by Mrs R. Bolton. At that time the church had been in the St. Albans circuit; Mrs Peters also referred to the men and women who had been prominent in the work of the church choir, and the Sunday school and Bible class. The Rev. A. IST. Scotter conveyed the greetings of tbe Methodist Church of New Zealand. The small churches of the Canterbury , district had been a godsend to the Methodist community, and they had served a very valuable purpose. There were very few trust debts on these old buildings, and the founders had set a very good example to the present generation, which "thought that a church could not be put up without a mortgage. Nowadays it was much easier for people to get in contact with each other, but they should remember that a vital religion was the only thing

that would make possible tawwuw security, and peace. . Other speakers were Messrs W. H Barrell (chairman of the circuit), P. 6. Clements, and B. W. Briglttiag, ast past and present members of the dtarefc. Musical items were provided Misses E. Jackson, P. Sherwood, H E. O "Dell, Messrs C. Marsh and J. Mitchel?, and the members of the Clarence road male quartet.