The New Wesleyan CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 3, Issue 84, 15 March 1883, Page 2

The New Wesleyan CHURCH.

LAYING THE MEMORIAL STONE.

This solemn and impressive ceremony took place yesierdaj shortly after 4 o'clock in the afternoon, by which time a large number of people had assembled to witness the evenr. A platform had been er cted for the occasion at the further end of the bail Hng,on which the Ministers and those other gentlemen who were to take part in the service were seated. The gentlemen present who took part in the service were— Rev. Mr Williams (Wanganui), Rev. Mr Taylor (New Plymouth), Rev. .Mr Worker (Sausoh), Rev. Mr Griffith (Palmerston N.), Mr W. P. Griffith (of. London),- and Mr J. P. Lear v (of Pals merstou tf.). The Rev. Mr Griffith opened the service with a few introductory remarks, and gave out Hymn i No. 992 in the Wesleyan Collection. I After the singing of this hymn, he read the 3rd Chapter of the Book of Ezra. The Rev. Mr Williams then offered up prayer. Hymn No. 993 was next sung, when the ceremony of laying* the stone was proceeded with. Before this, however, a silver trowel was presented to Mrs Wi P. Griffith (who was to lay the stone) by Mr J. P. Leary, on behalf of the trustees of the church. Accompanying the trowel was a mallet composed of three different woods, viz., black mairi, honey- suckle, and totara, presented by the contractors, Messrs Powell and Lee. The stone, which was composed of concrete was suspended from the roof of the building by ropes. In one portion in the stone was placed a vessel containing a copy of the Mana« watu Standard of the 13th inst., together with a copy of the other Palmerston paper, and a parchment scroll < containing the following inscription : — | Memorial stone of the new Wesleyan Church, Palmerston N., IS.Z, erected ad. 1883. This stone was laid by Mrs j W. P. Griffith, of Bromley, Kent, England, on the fourteenth day of March, in the ye&r of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighty-three, being the forty-six the year of the reign of Her Majesty Qneen Victoria, His Excels lency Sir William Jervois, dr.C.M.G., being Governor of New Zealand. President of the Wesleyan Confereneej \ Rev. R. Bavin. Secretary of the Wesleyan Conference, Re*. H. Bull. Chairman of the District, Rev. J. H. Taylor. Circuit Minister, Kev. S. Griffith. Circuit Stewards, Messrs J. P. Leary and F. Gillett. The stone having been let down, was ' struck on the four corners by Mrs Griffith who repeated slowly and solemnly the following words : — I declare this stone to be well and truly laid in the name of the Father, and of ihe Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Hymn No. 526 was then sung whilst the collection was bsing made. After this, the Rev. Mr Griffith called on his father, Mr W. P. Griffith, who, in appropriate terms, thanked the trustees I and the contractors, on behalf of his wife, stating that; the two presentations made to Mrs Griffith would be preserved as heirlooms in the family, and would be highly prized. The Rev. Mr Taylor then gave a ! review of the Methodist Doctrines Which 1 would be preached in the new church . 1 Hymn No. 771 was then sung, after which the Rev. Mr Worker spoke, 1 briefly congratulating the Minister of the Church in having his parents taking •part in the service. The Rev. Mr Griffith said he would now bring the service to a close by singing the doxology* and asking those present to ad j urn to the tea and public meeting to be held in the church. The amount collected at this service was £27 Is 6d. [The report of the tea and public meeting will appear to-morrow. J