NEW WESLEYAN CHURCH AT LEESTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 8756, 1 April 1889, Page 2

NEW WESLEYAN CHURCH AT LEESTON.

On Thursday last the foundation stone* of the new Wesleyan Church was laidjrf the Eev John Aldred, of Christchurch. !!p to noon the clouds were thick and the rains heavy, but by two o’clock the sun was shining, and a large number ofpeople.had assembled in the church We noticed representatives from all the districts around, showing that the buildingof this handsome church is arousing" more than local interest.

The Trustees, with wiseiforesighti,, had done all in their power ip make the ceremony a success. Precisely at two o’clock the minister of the church, the Eev J. Luxford, with the Revs J. Aldred, W. J. Williams, J. H. Simmondsand C. H. Laws, ascended the platform. A large choir of over thirty, led by Mr Fred Overton, sang the hymn, "Pair shall be thine earthly temple.” The Eev J. H. Simmouds offered a suitable prayer, and the Eev J. Luxford read Psalm 84.

Mr Luxford then said," We are assembled hero to take the initiative in putting into a practical shape the thoughts and desires of our hearts." He considered the' Wesleyans of Leeaton Were honoured in having the presence of one of the pioneer missionaries of New Zealand to lay the foundation stone. The new church would be a credit to the denomination, and an ornament to the township. It was a large undertaking, but with such enterprising business men as the trustees, such earnest members of the congregation, and such sympathy from members of other churches,, the work was bound to succeed. He could assure all present the people offered willingly. The contractor, Mr Salkeld, then stepped forward and thanked the trustees for accepting the tender of the firm. The work should be faithfully done, and the firm would turn out a satisfactory job. He then presented the Bev J, Aldred with a silver trowel to lay the foundation stone. After a bottle had been placed in a cavity containing copies of the Lyttelton Times, the Christchurch Press, the New Zealand Methodist, and various Church documents with the names of the Trustees, Architect, &c., the EeV J. Aldred stepped forward and declared the stone to be truly and faithfully laid. He expressed his pleasure in complying with the request of the Trustees. He could claim to be the oldest English Missionary in New Zealand. He was ordained in Bristol in 1839. All the holy men who set him apart to the work of a missionary were now in Heaven. He landed in Auckland in 1840; was the first Wesleyan Minister in Wellington, Nelson and Canterbury, and could claim to have rocked the cradle of the gospel in those places. He then quoted interesting statistics to show what progress the Church had made in New Zealand, and concluded an appropriate address by giving kind advice to the congregation. All present were deeply interested, as the veteran Missionary, in a clear voice, delivered a beautiful address. The Eev W. J. Williams next addressed the gathering, and congratulated the Trustees on selecting “ Father Aldred ” to lay the foundation stone. He had laid them so well in Wellington, Nelson and Canterbury that there could be no doubt concerning the class of workmanship that might now he expected. The speaker referred to the growth of Methodism since John Wesley’s time—lso years ago. John Wesley was always at one with the Church of England in doctrine, polity, and ceremony. Neither of these important matters drove him out; it was the tide of spiritual life which made for itself another channel, and took Wesley with it. He reminded the assembly that the Methodist Church now has 25,000,000 adherents, and is the largest Protestant Church in the world. He was sure that Mr Luxford and the Trustees were doing the right thing in building this new. and handsome church. The Eev C. H. Laws delighted the audience with a racy speech, congratulating the congregation on discarding the old barn-like structures, and building a church artistic in design, with a spire. Just as the sailor looked for the Christchurch Cathedral tower when at sea, so travellers passing through this district would be attracted by this aspiring church. Reference was then made to the fact that in the United States three churches were built every day. A collection was then placed on the stone which amounted to .£2l 6s XOd.

Mr John Barnett, Treasurer, on behalf of the Trustees, thanked all for their presence. The success hitherto had been far ahead of expectation, but friends must remember that .£BOO was the cost of the new edifice. This was a large sum to be raised. There was already £350 promised, and other sums were expected from friends who had not definitely stated the amount of their sympathy. A gift auction would beheld shortly, and already some pigs, sheep and wheat had been set apart for the church. He firmly believed over .£SOO would be reached within the next few months. Canvassing was proceeding. After the Benediction by the Eov-J.. Aldred, the ladies handed round refreshments; and by four o’clock the grounds were cleared.