METHODIST CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 313, 1 December 1933, Page 4

METHODIST CHURCH

BUNNYTHORPE ANNIVERSARY.

Fine weather and large congregations helped to make the 46tli anniversary of the Bunnythorpe Methodist Church an outstanding success. The services on November 26 were conducted in the morning by Rev. H. L. Richards and in the evening by Rev. R. E. Fordyce, the pastor of the Church. Rev. H. L. Richards is the superintendent minister of Cuba Street Church, Palmerston North, which is the mother Church' as far as Bunnythorpe Methodism is concerned. His thoughtful and ably delivered address was fin inspiration to the large congregation to whom he preached. At the evening service the pastor, speaking on Rev. 21. 22, “I saw no temple therein,” emphasised the fact that while the text foretold the day when there would be no further need for the Church, the world of the present day j greatly needed the Christian Church. * The church in the modern world should be a spiritual refreshment room; a hospital for sin-sick souls; a training school for sainthood to which every Christian was called; a headquarters for the organised attack upon evil; and a spiritual home. At both services special music was rendered by the Church choir, assisted by a few visiting friends. Mr H. Eggleton (choirmaster) conducted for the occasion, and was greatly assisted by the skilful playing of Miss Mavis AVood (Church organist), Miss E. Jepsen (violinist) and Mr R. Jepsen (’cellist). The singing created a helpful atmosphere for worship, the difficult anthems being rendered in pleasing style. A well-attended tea meeting was held in the schoolroom on November 29, the arrangements being in the hands of the Ladies’ Guild, who under the leadership of Mrs J. Scheidt (president) provided a bountiful and greatly enjoyed repast. The floral decorations are always a pleasing feature of the anniversary celebrations, and this year were exceedingly beautiful, reflecting credit on the artistic skill of the ladies who undertook fheir arrangement. For the concert the church was filled with an appreciative audience which gave vigorous applause to the various items presented. A programme of anthems, songs and recitations made a pleasant evening pass quickly. The pastor presided, and in a. few brief remarks referred to this as the fourth and last anniversary at which he would be privileged to preside. He spoke of the happy relationship existing between the people and their minister, and bespoke a continuance of this spirit till the time of their enforced separation should oome in April next. Mr J. H. Fowler (secretary of the trustees) presented his annual report and balance-sheet. He thanked the preachers and their motorists for their faithful help during another year. The report was optimistic in tone. Reference was made to the work amongst the young men and women carried on by the pastor, a work -which gives great promise for the future well-being of the Church. The trust fund was in a healthier state than a year ago. Miss Purnell (secretary of the Ladies’ Guild) presented her report, which showed that the guild is a very

much alive organisation, doing its own special work. The special speaker for the evening was Rev. A. 0. Jones (Methodist home missionary at Apiti). He congratulated the Church people on the attainment of the Church’s 46th birthday, aaid said it was his pleasant duty to rejoice with them that rejoiced. An anniversary was a peak moment in Church life, and should give to people a new vision of the uphill road to the City of God. It became them on such an occasion to think with gratitude of those who had pioneered the cause of God and Methodism in Bunnythiorpe. Those pioneers built the Church because of their faith in God, and to be a blessing to future generations. Some of those pioneers were no doubt present, and he hoped they felt their sacrifices had been worth while. But a church cannot live on its past, more yet constantly in an anniversary atmosphere such a gathering should fit them for the work of the morrow. We are living in a changing a,ge, the change being reflected even in people’s thoughts about the Church. They wanted to know what the Church’s real value was for the life of to-day’s world. Why should the Church continue to exist? Mr Jones reminded his hearers that in spite of all the criticisms hurled at the Church, it had always been in the vanguard of all the great movements for the good of our race. References were made to heroes such as Wilberforce, John Howard, and the Earl of Shaftesbury, who did their noble reformative works because they were Christians. To-day even the critics of the churches are daily living under advantages won for them by the Church. The social, international and economic problems of the present gave to the Church a unique opportunity for showing what the power of Christ could do in a world such as the one we live in now. Christianity is the greatest force known for the buildmg of individual and. national character, and if it is neglected ruin will as surely come to modern civilisation as to those of other days. The speaker called the young people to a greater loyalty to their Church, urging them to make it the spiritual centre of their lives. The audience were delighted with the address and gave the speaker close attention. The chairman spoke words of greeting to Mrs J. Clevely (senr.), the senior member of the Church, and also spoke special words of thanks to Mr Eggleton, Miss Wood, and the choir for their constant and loyal assistance in the regular church services. Mr Eggleton replied, and expressed his personal thanks to the organist, the regular choir, and those who had assisted them.

The pastor moved a vote of thanks to Rev. A. 0. Jones; the choir; the ladies who had arranged and provided the tea; the choirmaster; the organist; the members of the orchestra; the doorkeeper (Mr 0. R. Jepsen) and the ticket sellers. Thus ended a very happy gathering. The programme was as follows : —Anthems (6) by the choir; solos, Mrs C. H. James, Messrs Abraham, 0. Jackson, and A. Wood; recitations (2), Mrs Spooner. The accompanistes were Misses M. Wood and P. James and Mr Abraham.