Pahiatua Methodist Church

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 142, 17 June 1941, Page 2

Pahiatua Methodist Church

55th ANNIVERSARY Special services in connection with the above were held on Sunday. Good congregations greeted the preacher, Rev. Athol Penn, of Woodville. Anniversary services were a time of stock taking, said the Minister, and it was well to examine ourselves and see if wo had each and all done our part during the year. He pointed out the Teal meaning of church life. People were fed on spiritual food in the church and it was our privilege and duty to transfer this into daily life, making thenpresence felt in the community by upright living, sharing the trouble of | others, and in seme practical way lighten the lives of our fellows. In the evening he discoursed on the truth, beauty and goodness of the Christian life, comparing it with the state of the world today. How much sweeter the world would be by following the example of our Lord. A distinguished visitor at the services was Mr. Fran It Penn, of Auckland, father of Rev. A. Penn. Mr. Penn sen. is a vice-president of the N.Z. Methodist Conference and he was officially introduced and welcomed to the church and circuit by Mr. J. J. Boa gey, one of the circuit stewards. Mr. Penn thanked Mr. Boage) and the church for their kindly w*»L come. He felt it an honour to be with them on the 53th anniversary and re marked what a good proof that the church was not decadent as so many would have us believe. If we all saw, as he did in Auckland, at the weekly men’s fellowship of prayer and inspira | tion, men cf all classes and ranks anc religion, they would have a different outlook. Mr. Penn gave a very in- • foresting address in the morning to the children on the rose, showing them how ?the most beautiful rose was grown on a j common wild rose stock. By applica- | tion he showed them how very ordinary children may become very beautiful in I character by letting Jesus come into ' their lives. ” A good choir under the leadership of Mr. J. J. Boagey rendered special Anthems at each service “White the earth remaineth’’ of “I am the Way. Solo in the latter was feelingly sung by Mr. J. W. Greaves. Mr L. Hartley presided at the organ. The services were brightened by the singing of old Methodist hymns by choir and congregation. The anniversary services will conclude this evening in Wesley Hall with a social.