JUBILEE BANQUET

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 13

JUBILEE BANQUET

Ashhurst Methodist Church Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, March 18. The golden jubilee celebrations of the Asbburet Methodist Church were eon tinned last night, when “OP, including many old identities, .attended .a banquet in the Ashburst Town Hull. The Rev. C. A. I’ostiui read to the gathering messages of goodwill from former members of the Methodist community in Ashburst. including greetings from the Rev. Clyde Cure. M.P. for Timaru. Methodical Lad achieved great things during its 12-1 years of activity in New Zealand, in tbe colonisation of which it bad assisted greatly, said Mr. W. N. Brewer, in proposing tbe toast of "Tbe Methodist Church of New Zealand.” in a quarter of n century the church had progressed until it now had -1130 churches, OOH other preaching places, 200 ministers, 10 deaconesses, 800 local preachers, 25,000 members. 30,000 children in its Sunday tebools, and 75,000 attendants at public worship. Rev. A. N. Scotter (Palmerston North), in reply, paid tribute to the zeal and devotion of the adherents of the Asbburnt Dunuytlirgipe circuit. It was giving devout service through its three churches, and the New Zealand Methodist Church was well aware of its faith. The toast of “The Ashhurst Methodist Church” was proposed by Mr. G. H. Bennett. who said that the church had been fortunate in its inaugural minister (Rev. It. S. Bunn) and his devoted successors. i In the past tbe church had animated many with a true Christian spirit. hu r there was even greater work for the future. Mr. G. Itevonport. who has .■ven 33 years of church service in Ashbursl. responded to the toast. Other toasts honoured were:—“The Pioneers” (proposed by Mr. T. R. Hodder and responded to by Mrs. C. C. Thomson). “bay Preachers)” (Rev. C. A. Poston —Sir. G. Young) ; “Ladies’ Guild” (Mr. C. G. Dunham —Mrs. L. A. Shaw) ; “Sunday School and Bible Classes” (Mr. E. Tulinicliffe—Mr. C. G. Dunham). Tbe healths of Rev. C. A. and Mrs. Foston were proposed by Sir. W. N. Brewer and acknowledged by Mr. Foston. The jubilee .cake, mode by Mrs. J. H. Sumner, and iced by Mr. E. Roberts, was. imt by Mrs. J. C. Williamson, the oldest .Methodist resident of the district.