EARLY METHODISM

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 23 May 1933, Page 2

EARLY METHODISM

CAMBRIDGE TERRACE JUBILEE. CELEBRATIONS COMMENCE THIS WEEK. The diamond jubilee celebrations of the Cambridge Terrace Methodist Church will be commenced on Saturday afternoon next and will be continued until the closing rally on Thursday, June 1. Until 1913, when the Church Union was consummated, Cambridge terrace was the centre of Primitive Methodism in Christchurch, and since then, it is claimed, the terrace church has endeavoured to abide faithfully by the spirit of that union. Although the Jjtibilee of the church is being celebrated this year, thereLwas actually a 'great deal of work don%by the church, earlier than 1873.

In 1860 a Primitive Methodist service was held in Christchurch each Sunday afternoon. The service appears on a plan headed "The Wellington and Canterbury Mission, 1860.' The minister, the'ftev. Joshua Smith, was stationed, in Wellington, and Messrs Lewis,'and Flavelt were local preachers resident in Christchurch and alternately conducted the service. It is not ascertainable how long the servicejreontinued. ■ few years later a society called the ''lndependent Methodist Church whose membership consisted of Primitive Methodists in the main, met regularly for public worship at a building in Market square. The name was adopted pending authority from.London for-the use of the title "Primitive Methodists." The society met for a great many years. Building of Church. There was a slight break apparently | before the establishment of the church in 1888. A plan was published and Mr T. Cooper was chosen as first class leader. The church grew in influence and power, and preaching places were gradually added.. Some of them, as development proceeded, became circuits—Ashburton and Greendale, for instance. Without the services of a minister progress was hindered, but it was still remarkable. The Rev. Robert Ward was appointed to Christchurch in 1871 by the conference. He was absent from the Dominion at that time, but returned in November, 1872, with his son, Josiah, as probationer. The Rev. Robert Ward held his first quarterly meeting on December 16, 1872, and at this meeting extensive missionary operations were agreed upon and many preaching places were added to the pfan-Kaiapoi, Kowai, Hororata, and East Malvern being among them. In place of the rented hall a church was built and opened for on June 8, 1873. This is the church which still stands in Cambridge terrace. The life of the church to-day is blessed with an active and loyal, youth fellowship that is a tribute to its leadership and an encouragement for its future. , . The following ministers have been stationed in the circuit:—lß7l-73 gWard (J. Ward, probationer); 1874, B. J. Westbrooke; 1875, B J. Westbrooke and Joseph Sharp: 1876, B. J. Westbrooke; 1878, W.Tinsley: 1879-80, J. Clover; 1881-84, J. Ward; 1885 J. Guy; 1886-87, P. W. Jones; 1888, W. Laycock; 1889-91 W. S, Potter; 1892-96, J. Dawson; 1897, J. Guy: 1898, T. H. Lyon and J. Albert, 1899-1903, C. E. Ward; 1904, C. E. Ward and G. P. Hunt; 1905-7 J. Guy; 1808-12, S. and W. Harris; 1913-10, B. Metson; 1916-19, J. Cocker; 1919-21. W. Grigg; 1921-28 J. Harris; 1928-32, A. B.A. The present minister is the Rev. T. W. Veahe.

Programme of Celebrations. The programme of jubilee celebrar tions will open <t>n Saturday afternoon next with an old people's conversazione at 2.30. Arrangements are to be made to convey ola people to the function who would hot otherwise be able to attend it. There, are three special services arranged for Sunday, and an old-time prayer meeting will follow the evening service. On Tuesday, May 30, there will be a jubilee tea meeting at 5.30 p.m., followed by a concert. Mr H. Holland, M.P., is to preside, and the speaker will be the Rev. E. Drake. On Wednesday, May 31, there will be a united fellowship meeting in the evening, followed by a communion service. Celebrations will conclude on June 1, when a young people's rally will be held in the evening, followed by a social gathering of yoi*ng people.