WESLEYAN SOIREE.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2468, 15 April 1880, Page 2

WESLEYAN SOIREE.

Tlio annual soiroo of tho congregation of tho Wesley Church wan hold at tho Voluntoor Hall yesterday ovoning. Tho tables, which were prettily decorated with bouquets and excellently supplied with tho tnoro substantial necessaries for an enjoyable tea, were provided by tho following ladies — namely, Mrs Baraclough, Mra Cunningham, Mrs Wansbrough, Mrs Berringnr, Mrs Lane, Mrs Oliver, Mrs Marshall, Mrs Sinclair, Mra Vincent, Mrs M'Jonnett, and the Missos Smith and Oottroll. Tho bacholors table was supplied by Mr H. Dennison, and presidod over by Miss Crump and Miss Louisa Cunningham. About 150 sat down to tho tea. At 8 o'clock, after a prayor by tho Rev. Mr Barloy. the Rev. Mr Crump, who presided ovor tho second pirt of tho evening's ceremonies — namely, the delivery of addresses by the ministers presont, said that his position as chairman interfered perhaps with his freedom in addressing thoso presont, and proceeded to reqrot tho absence of Mr Todd. Ho might have wished for a welcome himself as a new comer, and now ho had to offer a wolcomo from tho Wesleyan body in Oamaru to Mr Foster, though ho had only been himself a week in tho plnco. lie had often heard of the nrotty little town of Oamaru, and from what he had seen of it ho found as much to admiro in its outward appoarance as he had boon led to expect, and ho was pleased also to soo so many indications of prosperity, and hoped that this would bo accompanied by moral advantages on an equal scale. Mr Lane, tho treaiuror, thon road tho financial statement for tho past year, showing a deficiency of L2f. Mr Barley then delivered a short but eloquent address, in whioh ho romarked that he was very pleased to meet with thoir president, and to welcome him to Oamaru. When ho camo ho had hardly expected to bo called upon to wolcomo so soon another momborof tho church, or to part with Mr D.nvsbury, atid ho hoped that ho would mt have to part with Mr Crump boforo lio had filled his post two years, as it was hard to have to part with a minister just when ho had gained (ho respect nnd affection of his congregation. Th"ro might be fe\ier at the meeting and tho tea than thero had been last year, but ho hopod that tho moeting might do good and afford pleasure to all present. Many might nay thero was no religious feeling in roality, that roligion was all a sham and a farce, but there vras something in it that would keop a man calm and unruffled in all sorts of oircumstances, and enable him under trials that would cast another man down and crush him, to look up and forward courageously. If all the world would only unite in keeping tho chief commandments of religion, and would only try to bo true and upright towards ono anothor, it would bo seen that life would in ovory way bo bettered by roligion. If mon ould only bo brought to soo how good snid desirable for thoir own happiness and thoir own benefit it was to servo Christ, tho world would bo bettor, and higher, and happier. Mr Foster, after thanking tho mooting for their welcome to him, and his brother ministers for tho kindness with which they had expressed tho feelings of thoir congregations, said that he would rather bo excused himself from speaking, but as Mr Crump had oxousod himself on account of having to act an chairman, and Mr Barloy had excused himsolf from tho want of time, ho must say a fow words, though it was easier to make a long speech than to Bay a fow words to tho point as Mr Barloy had done. There was ono thing he said which roligion would enable U 3 to accomplish— and in this colony where thero is so much to attract men to wordly considerations there was the more need fqr it—and that was the increasing of the bettor part of mon. Patience too was wanted in the ministers of religion, and he was astonished at tho want of that quality often displayod. They wanted move courage and unity in performing the work of Christ ; no matter how many denominations thero might be doing thoir work in slightly different ways, they were all working to the same great ond. Mr Crump then made a fow more remarks in which ho praised the capital singing of the choir, and Mr Donnison afterwards proposed a votes of thanks to the ladifts who had given the tables, Mr Williamson acknowledging tho compliment on behalf of the ladios.