HAWERA METHODIST CHURCH

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 9 April 1934, Page 5

HAWERA METHODIST CHURCH

MEMORIAL TO TWO SUPPORTERS. LARGE CONGREGATION PRESENT. The Methodist Church in Hawera was filled last evening when a memorial service was held for two church workers' who died recently after giving good service to the church m the district—Mr Silas John Mills and Miss Florence Watson. The Rev. Basil Metson as the preacher. He gave an mspiring address, basing, his remarks on two verses of scripture: Matt. 9 : 24: “The maidem is not dead but sleepeth”; 1 Thess. 4 : 13, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren concerning them which are asleep that ye sorrow not even' as others which have no hope.” In opening his address, Sir B. Metson said that no one could ignore the fact of death nor (Stay in the flesh always because “we were made for a more durable sphere.” He said that some viewed death as a dark mystery which could not be cleared up, some as an unavoidable catastrophe to be kept out of speech and sight, some as the destruction of the life of body and soul, but Jesus who knew most about the matter, spoke of the departure of a Christian as a sleep. Paul stressed the ■same comforting thought, that meant for the believer continued existence and awakening in a better world, to perfect service. The preacher stated the case for a happy life after death for those who were in Christ —citing many scriptural proofs and referring to the universal belief in immortality, and the longings or ’xovo <lll cl tiic lies ire of tliG human mind for reunion with those who had gone Home. He examined the evidence for a recognition of each other in the better country whose builder and maker was God. Mr Met son, referring to the me ol the late Mr Mills, said he had been a member of the Primitive Methodist Church and an efficient choir worker. He had been a regular member as a lad at Sunday school Bible class Ho came .from Yarmouth to Newcastle at the ago of twenty and at once took up church work. When he came to Hawera with liis Avife and daughter in 1914 ho at once joined the church ail a choir and had been constantly in his place in season anil out, until hisi deadi He -served with fine fidelity as soloist, librarian, trustee and member ol the quarterly session. Air Met son referred to Mr Mills’ love of cricket, playing always with absolute fairness and m a sportsmanlike way through many years. He was said Air Aletson, a good husband and father, a faithful workman, and a conscientious and devoted Chustian, ioval to his church and minister. In many letters of sympathy received bv his wife there was one outstanding tribute—to his uprightness and character- —and nothing finer could be said of a. man. . , , Hvnins, sung by special request ot Airs'and Alias Mills, were “Jean, E« vc ' r of My Soul,” “Rock ol Ages. forever With the Lord” and “Abide AY ith \j.m and the choir numbers were “Comes at Times a Stillness ’ and “Grossing the Bar.” Air Aletson also made reference to the work of Miss YVatson, caretaker ot the church for many years, a iaithtui Christian, and true to her early vows. She lived, he said, a life of quiet fidelity and patience in ill-health. in*) sympathy and prayers of all would, said Air Metson, go out to all relations. Air G. AlcConnell presided at the ortran and played “Consolation No. 4 Liszt) and a Bach “Prelude at the ooening; “O Rest in the (Eliiah) at the offertory and Oh opm s “ Fun era 1 A 1 a rch ’ - at the eon elu si on.