WESLEYANISM.

Evening Star, Issue 11169, 19 February 1900, Page 3

WESLEYANISM.

The suburb of Belleknowes is becoming ,t favorite place of residence, and buildings = are going- up fast, therefore it follows that the population is increasing in that direction. Recognising this fact, the Weslcyans have been busy, and a start has been made with the building <f a cht.reh, the foundation stone of which was laid on Saturday afternoon by the Mayor of Momington (Mr Annand), assisted by a. concourse of ministers of the Gospel and Mr J. A. Millar, M.H.R. The building is a small one, 30ft x 20:t inside measurement, and seated io hold ninety pocple. It is to be built in Gothic outline, wi(h a plain front. The platform, on which will stand the preacher's desk, will be 3ft high; there will be a small retiring room in one corner, and choir seats on the other. The front, entrance will have two plain Gothic floors, with ornamental hinges, a lancet window on either side, and rose window above. Edward Thomas and Co. supply the roofing, which will be of patent ruboroid, a, now materia! which is claimed Io bo superior to the ordinary method of iron roofing. The ironwork will'b? made and presented by Mr Joseph Sparrow, and Mr H. M. Davey, the architect, prepares all plan.-; and specifications free of cost. The contractors are Messrs Farquharson and Boyd. The build ing will be used for the purposes also of a Sunday school. A large number of people gathered together to witness the ceremony of laying the foundation stone. The Rev. J. J." Lewis presided, and after a strong choir had rendered a couple of hvmns. and a prayer bad been offered up bv the Rev. T. G. Brooke. Mr Annand proceeded to lay the foundation stone. In doing so Mr Annand said he had seen a good many stones la-id. Though tl;o ceremony in connection with the New Zealand and South Sens Inhibition was an important one. the present coromonv was just as ininortjinf to the residents of Boileknow?s, and he had very great nl.-yuirc in laying the foundation stone of the Wr.slryan Church. 'He would a.lso thank them for the honor they had done them in asking him to '".fneiato. The Rev. Mr Fairclougb, on being reoucsted to say a few words, said he was gratified Io be allowed to do so. When he looked round on the prosperous-looking suburb, and saw the many habitations snrintring im in even- direction, he could not help but think that it wns high time something was done for religion in the neighborhood. The little church, or rathe>- Sunday school, which was boiv>£ erected would in the future develop into something larn-er as the place grew, and it was wise* indeed, of the projectors to start on a small scale, and under the happy auspices of being free of debt. s The choir then sane another hymn, and Mr J. A. Millar. M.F.R.. stepped forward. He fell, highly honored at receiving an invitation to bo present. The movement to build a church showed that the Wr-slevans intended to look after the religious life of the people of Belleknowes. A great mistake was made by a number of religious bodies, who started in more pretentious bui'dines. but also in debt, and ho was glad to see I hat'his friends had not. that incubus to weigh them down. Ho was at one with those who thought that relic'otis instruction should be given to the rising generation. The opportunity was here given the people of Rclleknowes to allow I neb-cin-dron to acquire religious instnir.rion, and ho hoped Mic-y would benefit by the opportunity. The speaker concluded by saying that, as lonff as one worshipped God—in whatever form he may—he was leading a. truly Christian life. The Rev. .T. J. Lewis then informed the gathering of the news of tho relief of Kimherley and called for three cheers for our troops in South Africa, which were heartily given. The Momington Brass Band, who wore in altrndancr. under the conductorship of Mr T. Holgafe, played a number of pleasing selections.