ALEXANDER-STREET PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7304, 16 April 1885, Page 6

ALEXANDER-STREET PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

One of the most successful soirees and after meetings ever held in the Alexander-street Primtiive - Methodist Church was held last night, on the occasion of welcoming the new minister to the circuit, the Rev. A. J. Smith, and bidding farewell to the Rev. W. S. Potter, who, by the rules of the ohurch, is removed to the Thames. The schoolroom waß crowded for the soiree, and the tea tables, bountifully laden, were presided over by the following ladies:Mesdames Mewburn, Jaffrey, Watkinson, Nichol, Parkes, and Mißses.Thwaites and Taylor. The publio meeting was held in the church, whioh was filled almost to overflowing, and Mr. D. Goldie (oircuit steward): occupied the chair while there were also on the dais, in addition to the new and retiring ministers : Revs. S. Macfarlane (Free Methodist), J. Robertson (Congregational), J. T. Boothroyd (Primitive Methodist), and R. Bavin (Wesleyan). —The Chairman, in, his opening remarks, traced the work of Mr. Potter, how he had "been a teacher in ' the Sunday-sohool in 1869, secretary to. the Sunday-school four months later, . a local preacher in 1874, and in April, 1882, the pastor of that ohurch.—The Rev. A. J. Smith, in replying to the welcome given to him by the Rev. J. T. Boothroyd, returned thanks for the very hearty and cordial reoeption given him. —The -Rev. -S. - Macfarlane, made a speech full of humour, and ooncluded his address by reading Mr. Potter a letter from the Ministers' Association of the oity testifying to the good work performed by him. — Mr. Jaflrey, "one of the circuit stewards, then presented to Mr. Potter on behalf of the Newton and Alexandra-street Churches, a purse of 20 sovereigns.Mr. Watkinson, Vice-Superintendent of the Sunday-school, presented to Mfc Potter a handsomely framed shield of the photos of' the officers - and ' teachers of the Sundayschool. It bore the. fi>UoWing- inscription — April 15, 1885. Presented'to R6 v. W. S. Potter at the termination of his pastorate in Auokland by the officers and teaohen of the Alexandra-street Primitive .■ Methodist Sun-day-school as a token of esteem." The shield and photos are . from the • studio of Mr. R. Redfern.— Potter,-in acknowledging the presentations, returned thanks for them, and in a lengthy address recapitulated the assistance he had received * from the congregation. The pronouncing of the Benediotion by Mr. Potter brought the meeting to a close.