WESLEYAN CHURCH, CARLYLE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 45, 15 September 1880, Page 3

WESLEYAN CHURCH, CARLYLE

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

Some weeks ago, yielding to urgent necessity, the trustees of the Carlyle Wesleyan Church added to that building space for forty extra sittings. The enlargement, together with a new coat oi paint, added greatly to the outward appearance of the edifice. Though the services had never been discontinued, it was necessary, for the sake of raising funds, to have a formal re-opening. That event took place last Sunday week, when the Rev. W. Lee, president of the Wesleyan Conference for New Zealand, officiated before a crowded congregation. On the Tuesday following a tea meeting was held in the church. The trays were six m number, and were presided over by Mesdames Fairclough, Adams, Potto, Keys, and Baf-sett, and the Misses Hawken and Williams. The building was decorated with leaves of the nikau palm, and the tables with flowers. To praise the spread would only be ". to praise the lily and adorn the rose." It was perfection. Fully 200 sat down to tea. Mr. Lett, the doorkeeper, succeeded in keeping the boys out till their elders had partaken, but the siege was tremendous. When at last they were admitted, the beholder was forcibly reminded of the lay reader's misplaced emphasis : " They all sat down, and they did eat" ; yet there were many basketsful left. After tea the Rev. Mr. Lee delivered a lecture on " Courtship and Marriage." There was nothing of the sermon in it, and nothing of the inaninity usually talked at tea meetings. The audience, who were crowded into the aisles, the porch, and round the windows, listened to the speaker's homely wisdom with a smile on their faces, that broke every now and then into laughter and applause. The choir rendered several pieces of music verjr creditably during the evening. The chairman, in returning thanks to the ladies, the lecturer, the choir, and the " bees " who assisted in the enlargement, referred particularly to Miss Kate Williams, whose assiduous ticketvending had contributed largely to the success of the soiree. The expenses connected with the enlargement will fall below £40. Towards this the soiree will contribute nearly jE22. There is still, however, a consolidated debt of on the church.