ST. PAUL'S METHODIST CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9543, 21 June 1911, Page 7

ST. PAUL'S METHODIST CHURCH.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE.

HIS EXCELLENCY PERFORMS THE CEREMONY.

HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION,

There was a very large attencianco at the ceremony of laying the commemoration stone of the new St. Paul's Methodist. Church in Broad street, which was performed by His Excellency, Lord Islington, yesterday afternoon.

Rev. G.'W. J. Sponce presided, and there was also on the platform besides His Excellency,' Hon. T. Mackenzie (Minister of Agriculture), Mr D. Buick, M.P., and Mrs Buick, the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs J. A. Nash), besides members of the Borough Council and ministers of the different religions from all over the Wellington district. Proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by a Scripture lesson by Rev. Neale, of Ashhurst, and prayer by Rev, A. B, Chnppell, M.A. Rev. Spence, in an interesting address, said they had met that afternoon to take part in a ceremony which was _ one of lofty significance, The rearing of a temple for the worship of the one living and true God had ever been regarded, by religiously enlightened minds as of first importance to the" well-being, not only of the individual, but that of the community and the State. The Scripture, which had been read, reminded them how such a pious enterprise was regarded by David the King and the representatives of the people of Israel in their clay. It was seen how the sacred undertaking to which they had set their hands appealed to the best in them, and with what joy they responded to the claims of God in respect to the place of sacrifice and prayer. All down the ages similar convictions had moved men to give expression in a similar fashion to their faith and love and allegiance- to the moral Ruler of the world. It had ever been recognised that the erection of sanctuaries wherein devout souls may unitedly call .upon the name of the Lord and listen to tho message of life, tended to promote true piety and good order among the people. While private worship and family worship were inculcated in Holy Writ, special importance was attached to public worship. Man was essentially a social being; this feature tho Gospel ■ seized upon, and turned to account. Christ commissioned all to go into.the highways and hedges and compel/ibem to come in. An obligation therefore rested upon the Church to provide, proper accommodation for those whom/ she would invite to the spiritual;: feast. Speaking'for that section of the Chris-: tian Church which ho had the honour; of representing, he could say without;, boasting that she was in a large, measure alive to her duty in this "respect, and as far as her resources,permitted she was striving to discharge; this responsibility. During the.few,' mouths that he had been in officers; President of the Conference oral overseer of the Church itxVvllacl;/ been his privilege to take part iri;sev-; eral stone-laying or dedicatory Kser-- : vices in various parts of the land;and : he could say, judging from the jniim-/ her of schemes either in course oßjipfing carried out 01* contemplated,/that his Presidential year promised i/o-'lie/ one of unusual activity in chjrtchj building, church enlargement-'; "/or/ church improvement tlu'oughout/tne; Dominion. His earnest hope wasifhat:; while tho buildings multiplied;jtM church would, with the Divine bless--ing, multiply believers, so tliat.;:Mtsl material progress during the /year/ would be matched by corresponding.; 'prosperity in the' distinctly spiritual; sphere. _ When the present scheme; was projected it was resolved tliati'tf the building was not to be "exceed// ingly magnifical of fame and of glory;: throughout all countries," as mon's temple was designed to be'-"this; house should at least be a sightly-'-and' commodious structure. So far ii\icf;-, had reason to believe that excellentwork had been put into this houseWprayer. In Mr Bonnie, of Wellington;, the trustees believed they had disppyl: ered a capable architect, whose design; when completed would do him lasting; credit, while in the firm to whoiiiVthe; trustees had entrusted the work; Messrs Sollitt Bros., was one that-en-joyed a high reputation in the .tbwii; and district, and it was expected/thai the present contract would be carried out- in a manner that would enhance, their reputation, It was with'v.ex-. trcme pleasure he 'had to welcome/His; Excellency's presence on this auspiol-/ ou6 occasion, and he desired at/this stage of the proceedings just si'/aword to convey to him, as the minister, of .the congregation and as the mouth-.-niece of the Methodist community; m the town and district, their apprecia-; tion of His Excellency's kindness in consenting to do the service which,lie was there to render to the loyal subjects, in common with;flisv Gracious Majesty's liege people in/all; parts of the Empire, they rejoiced at; this moment in prospect of _ His : Ma-; jesty's annroaching Coronation earn-; estly praying that His Majesty's reign would he fraught with favour .and peace. To His Excellency, the King's representative in this Dominion, ..they' most respectfully tendered their 'good.', wishes. Their one sincere desire .was that His Excellency's term of office would be marked by tho bestowment; of every blessing that Heaven had-iu, store for those who governed as well. as those who arc governed. 1 Re-v. C. H, Laws, ex-President of the Conference, also spoke. He pointed out the similarity there was in the different communions of God's Church. The Methodist revival in tho 18th century gave to British life one of its most noted characters in the person of John Wesley.Across this period ran a line of great and; glorious names of soldiers, clergymen, statesmen, and literary men, but of nil; these ono stood out, and that, was the churchman, John Weslev. Wesley _wits an apostolic man in most of his qualities, and he likened him in some respects to -.St.. Paul, Tho secret of his power of preach-, insr was hi.s wonderful personality. The 18t.lv century also gave a religious ..re-; vivid that had not yet gono out .and. which had left its mark on the English, people. He gave glowing accounts-'of. tho effects tho preaching of this great man had on tho people of the time. In conclusion, ho thanked his Excellency for the honor ho had conferred, wot only on tho Methodists of Palmcrston North, but on the whole district in attending and laving Hie «tono that afternoon, Mr Richard Carty. treasurer of tho trustees, then handed to his Excellency a silver trowel with which to perform the ceremony.

A copper casket containing- copies of tho Maxawatu Evening Standard and : Manawatu Times, coins of tho realm, a short history of tho work of tho Church in tho district, together with the names of. tho clerjry. trustees, architect, contractors and cleric of works. His Excellency then laid tho stono in place. In a short speech_ ho expressed his appreciation and gratitude at, tho (rift, of tho trowel from tho members of the Church. Ho was very pleased to have the opportunity of being able to be present and to perform this very important and solemn ceremony of layhnr the eommomor.ition 6tono of fit. Paul's Church. He referred; to tho close approach of tho Coronation, and said there was no ono who had the religious interests of tho people more at heart than had King George, whom he represented

in New Zealand. Ho hoped that similar structures in beauty and stability would bo erected by tho_ Methodist Church, not only in the district, but throughout tho whole of the Dominion. It must bo very gratifying for the older residents and members of the Church b see such n magnificent edifice erected in Pnlmcrston North for tho purpose of public worship. He hoped that when the building was completed that .1 greater number, not only of this religion, but of others who had restrained from attending, would attend tho church, He spoke of the ultimate combination of the two great branches of tho Methodist Church, and hoped that this much desired objectwould bo attained at no distant date. Tho work of the Church must depend upon the unity of all who had anything to do with church work.. He spoke of the good done by Wesley, and said tho sooner the various ■ religions sink, their differences the better it will be for the' wholo' world. The unity of the; churches was responsible- for the welfare of tho community. ■.. He desired; to express to all connected with it. his! omire gratification at the beautiful edifice' that he had had the honour of laying-' the. commemoration etono'of. '■':'■'■ !

Row.J. A. Luxfordj chaplain to the Territorial forces, nnd.MivJrP, Leary (senior trustee)., moved '■ and ■.'seconded a, vote of thanks to Lord ..Islington,: which was carried by acclamation, after, which cheers were givon ; for the. Governor/and the National Anthem 'sung;: ,.|^'; MONSTER TEA; At the conclusion ,:■■<){■■{;tlio" ; . laying'of the'.: cstbne, ■'■'■•■Va' monster':' public - toa : .>>:;- : w.as'-V?:helcl : " the ■,Municipal IIall,': : at-^whieh..' oyjeV: 400 ■ persons ..attended/; .; : ;:iA; ; ;; ; .very enjoy-, able time was spent, thev-ladio's of every congregation in the circuit-Jiaving .charge'' of the tables.: ...'■•

Seldom has such a large attendance been seen : at a church gathering of any kind _ as was congregated at tho public', meeting, hold after-the tea. : .It was estimated that about 700 people were, present. Rev.;.;G, W.. J. Spence [.resided;and Revs, J, A. Ltixford,.A. B, Chappel and C..HY Laws gave very.interesting: ad.', dresses the work ■ of ■.; the - Methodist. : 'Clnivcicboth j -hero--and.'vin'.'-otH'orc--parts:bf-. ihp The : three flatter gehtlo> men; Congratulated. tho: ■■palmo'i-ston'.. coh-'i grcgatioiv on'vthe: r'tocautif were; erecting;; '^Rcv; 's%, ;.«; presK dent of '"tho' ;Ministcrs v , ; Assbci'!itibn,. .also; congratulated ■■;tl^;^Mefh6dists:: ; on '■ their' stately .edifice;':, }i eatu're- .of;the m^etiiig'wjis;vfhc ; ;sihging; ; bf s thc:,.'coniij : and; BMd;Jsfreet^,;;&ngregai;ioiuil:''JarirJ-' Presbyterjaft.-cfe Mr. C.; : %;-;Naylor;.'..' . : . ; Thei;antliciiis;.ciiose : h; \verb'.H.<xn'ctbl ,: s'Hdau'tiftih positions,; | ! : Aii civtlio'.- Glo'ry^. 61 • thb; yto r'd' i;; arid;: the';^Hiillelujali.; ; '?Cli<inis : ,^and • they in :$■ Tcr^shhished; : liianherv' The'€Eeildin :^:;Methpdist ': ga.ve);.;m;;very. nice rendering;. oT ;"The : ; Radiant?^.Mprn;-' while '"Urs 'Kh'e ■■.lih'd' MisSes!:lfillar ; ;a;nd AViafeori iilstf,; bOiitV.iljiit.; icUfp; . ; thc;-'-;pr.og'ra , mirlo;. , ' : . Qii ; llfc. : motion of -;tli6f Mayor,; "a.: very hearty . vbtb ot ;thanlcs;';was; acco];de;d. f;p>.all VhVluKf ebn;frib)ite'd. .cnjby/iiient/ '