WESLEY CHURCH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 611, 17 April 1878, Page 2

WESLEY CHURCH.

The annual soiree in connection with W esley Church, which was also used as a means- of welcoming the new pastor, the Rev. Henry Dewsbuiy, to his congregation, was held last evening in the Volunteer Hall, and passed off in a highly satisfactory manner. A capital spread was provided, and was partaken of by about 300 persons. In all there were twelve tables—six on each side of the hall, everyone of tliem being heavily laden with edibles of every description, while a number of vases containing flowers lent to them a pleasant appearance. The ladies who so bountifully provided the tempting repast, and who presided over the various tables, were — Mrs. Larkin and Sirs. Hook, Mrs. Sinclair, Mr«. Lane,. Mrs. Sidon, Mrs. Barraclough, Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Wilding, Mrs. fleid, Mrs. Brownlee. Mrs. Marshall, .Mrs. Berringer and Mrs. Familton, Mrs. Shepherd. The providing of the twelfth table was the joint work of the bachelors of the congregation, and was presided over by several young ladies. The company having thoroughly regaled themselves with the good things so liberally provided, the tables were cleared, and the public meeting was held.

Mr. Norman Lane was voted ,to the chair, and the proceedings were commenced by the choir, under the direction of Mr. Urownlee, who presided at the harmonium kindly lent by Mr. Wansbrough, sinking the doxology " Lord Bless us Still. After this, the Rev. Mr. Fee engaged in prayer.

The Chairman then, in a few humorous remarks, referred to the duties of chairmen, arid concluded by calling upon himself, as Treasurer, to read the balancesheet for the past year. This showed that the total receipts fur the Minister's Stipend Fund amounted to L 227 75., while the expenditure had been L 275 14s. Gd., showing a deficit of LoS 7s. Gd, part of which (Lll 75.) was a. legacy from the previt.iia y.ea l '. The receipts of the Trust or Church Fund were L 545 10s. 3d., and the expenditure L 126, showing a balance to the credit of the fund amounting to LilO I.os. 3d.

The choir then nang ihe hymn " Work, ■ for tlie Night is Coming." The Chairman then briefly introduced The Rev. Mr. Dewsbury, who expressed his regret at having been called • upon thus early in the meeting to make a speech, and said he hoped to have been i very one of the He had been gratified during the eveirng to make the acquaintance of many who, although not members of the Wesleyan Church, were prepared to join with them in rendering their soiree a success, and contributing to the harmony of the j>i'oceedings. He conjfessedihathe had previously been somewhat averse to these tea meetings, and had failed to see wiiat good could result from them. In the Northern portions or the Colony, where, from the greater warmth of the climate, one would imagine greater warmth of feeling was to be found than - here, the tea meetings were generally only attended by those belonging to the congregation ; biifc here, in the more frigid South, he'found that there was a warmer feeling of harmony amongst the diti'eren t religious bodies. For this reason, he was inclined to reconsider the opinion he had previously entertained with regard to the utility of tea meetings. He was prepared to see a great amount of good in them if they were "the means of promoting Christian harmony. There was great necessity for an interchange of thought and feeling between the members of the different Christian ,Chi}r.ehes. He could not see why the different Churches should not apt harmoniously with eaph other, for though they differed upon minor matters, they were a}l agreed upon the niain point, and should any eomiuon enemy assail the Christian faith they would be found as a united whole to oppose that enemy. Dr, Chalmers had likened the various churches to a radii, with Christ as the centre, and had said that the closer they

drew to each other the nearer they got to the centre. After referring to the necessity for all members of the congregations assisting their ministers in the good work, the rev. gentleman resumed his seat amidst applause. ; Anthem—"Praise ye the Lord," Choir. The Rev. Mr. Todd had very great pleasure in being present at the social gathering, and in joining with those present in giving a lieaity welcome to the Rev. Mr. Dewsbury to the capital of North Otago. He hoped that gentleman would long be spared and afforded strength of body and mind to carry on the good work in which they were all engaged. He felt sure he would be able to co-operate heartily with Mr. Dewsbury, and if they did not succeed in doing so, it would not be his fault. The subject he had chosen to address the meeting upon was " Homo Religion." He strongly urged upon them the necessity for giving the utmost attention to this matter. Religion in the household should be properly cultivated, for if religion flourished in the family it would flourish in the Church. Referring to many men who might be found talking loudly upon religion in public while they neglected the practice of it in their families, he said that they were saints abroad and devils at home. He attributed much of the larrikinism of the present day to the lack of proper cultivation of religion in the family circle. Parents should remember that the minds of their children formed the canvas on which their own characters were painted. Children would acquire the habits of their parents much faster than they would learn the alphabet. Many men who had led lives of sin and misery had laid the whole of the blame on their parents. Let parents bear in mind the injunction to " Train up a child in the way he should go, and when ho is old he will not depart from it." Though children might go astray, the seed thus sown in their youth would eventually bring forth good fruit. In conclusion he had great pleasure in again welcoming the Rev. Mr. Dewsbury to Oama.ru, and in wishing him every success in his efforts. Hym.ii—"What a friend we have in Jesus," Choir. Mr. Wansbrough made a few remarks with reference to the manner in which ministers were selected, and welcomed the Rev. Mr. Dewsbury as the new pastor of the church. Anthem—" Great and marvellous arc Thy works," Choir. The Rev. Mr. Steven, who said lie was glad to have an opportunity of joining them in affording a welcome to the Rev. Mr. Dewsbury, addressed the audience at some length upon the advisability of combining religion with recreation and amusement. He said it was a mistake to suppose that religion should place a bar upon all amusement, and prevent people indulging in fun, frolic, and healthful exercise. It was necessary that a man should be physically as well as spiritually healthy, and by indulging in harmless, vigorous recreation and amusement they were not acting contrary to the teaching and doctrines of religions belief. Doxology—"Blessed be the Lord," Choir.

The Rev. Mr. Fee congratulated the Rev. Mr. Dewsbury upon being appointed to minister amongst such warm-hearted, social people. Although lie did not believe in straight-faced religion, or in putting on a dismal appearance, the mention of the word anniversary forced upon his mind recollections of the great many momentous events which had transpired during the year that had passed away, to some of which he felt constrained to refer. He then referred to several of the principal events which had taken place since the last annual soiree, particularly the Indian famine, and the war. He said he might be told that he should not at the close of their social meeting conjure up recollections ef these saddening events ; but it was profitable, when entering upon a fresh year, to look back upon that which had been closed, as by so doing they mitrht learn many lessons which would be useful in the future.

The Chairman having made a few closing remarks, the choir sang the hymn, "In the sweet by-and-bye," and the usual vote of thanks were passed by acclamation—to the ladies who had provided the tea, on the motion of Mr. Wansbrough ; and to the speakers, the chairman ; and the choir, on the nmtion of the Rev. Mr. Dewsburv.

The benediction was then pronounced by the Rev. Mr. Dewsbury, and the meeting dispersed.