Wesley Church Anniversary.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XX, Issue 6210, 20 March 1895, Page 4

Wesley Church Anniversary.

The anniversary meeting of Wesley Church was held in the church last night, there being a good attendance. The church was nicely decorated with flowers and evergreens for the occasion. The proceedings began with the customary soiree, a large number sitting down to an admirable tea supplied by ladies of the congregation. After full justice had been done to this portion of the proceedings, a short interval ensued prior to the public meeting, which was held in the church at 8 o'clock. At the public meeting there were present on the platform, in addition to the Rev. W. B. Marten, the Revs. A. B. Todd, A. Dewdney, and W. Wright. After singing a hymn the Rev. W.. Wright offered up prayer. Mr Oliver commented on. the new order of things which was being introduced in doing away with some speech-making and substituting singing. This was a desirable innovation, and he would not inflict a long speech. This meeting was the trust representative meeting the proceeds being contributed towards the trust fund. The only other source of income for the trust fund was the seat rents. He hoped that before many years were past the seats could be made free. (Applause.) At present they were not quite in a position to do this, as if the seats were made free they would not be able to meet the expenditure. Their financial position had been detailed in a circular recently. When arrears of seat rents were collected and the proceeds of the anniversary reckoned up they would' find that both ends would meet, and a little over to begin the next year with.

The Rev. W. B. Marten believed in the singing of the praises of God. He did not know if under the new order of things clergymen wiuld have to sing their sermons ; he hoped that they would not get into a sing-song way of delivering their sermons. These anniversaries were times to pause and consider the condition of the Church, They had heard something about their financial condition, but this was not the greatest matter in connection with the Church. They could not get on without money, for though the water of life was free they must pay for the goblet from which it is druDk. But how they were progressing SDiritually was the main thing. On the whole, the church prospered. They had lost five members through removal and death, but they had gained 23 new ones—a net gain of 18. This did not include the Christian Endeavor members. The Sunday School was in a fairly prosperous condition, the number on the roll and the average being greater than last year. The Christian Endeavor was in a healthy way and was now meeting weekly instead of fortnightly. A series of evangelistic meetings in November had also been blessed with good results. With regard to the year to come they were expecting good things from a visit by Mr Cook, which had only been arranged with difficulty. Though Mr Cook came as a Methodist minister, they did not want to keep him to themselves, but to let all the churches share. A meeting to achieve this aim was to be held on Thursday. With reference to the debt on the church they meant to grapple with it this year, and if they couldn't quite kill it, they could at least break its neck. Where there was a will there was a way, and although times were bad he thought they would succeed. He thought that their spiritual success depended in a measure upon clearing away this debt, and freeing God's house from its encumbrances. He hoped, therefore, next year to be able to report a substantial decrease in the debt and a great ingathering of souls. What they wanted was a Pentecostal effusion of the spirit, and to receive that they must join in earnest and heartful prayer. In conclusion he wished to point out that the church had been renovated and cleaned and painted. This was entirely due to the efforts of the young ladies, who had set to work and raised a fund for this purpose by their own individual efforts. (Applause.) The Rev. A. Dewdney thought that the lines of the clergy would be cast in pleasanter places in that by and by of which Mr Oliver spoke when singing was to replace speech making. He paid a high tribute of praise to the value of singing in church praise. But they should bear in mind that even the singing should be to the glory of God. There was room in the church for all the gifts which its members possessed. He spoke fervidly of the necessity for individual service of God among the members of a church. In so far as any single one failed in his duty so he weakened the activity of the church. There was a service for each to perform and they failed in a privilege and a duty if they neglected that service. And they must concern themselves with all branches of the church's work. The responsibility of the whole rested upon the shoulders of each because upon the shoulders of all. The Christian Endeavor, the Sunday School, the circuit stations should interest all and be interested in all. And in this connection he thought it right to say that worship which did not go so far as substance, that was a lip worship only, was a worship which fell short in one of its main essentials. He regarded the offertory as much a legitimate part of the service as the sermon or song. It was not paying for the Gospel, it was yielding to God. He hoped that the effort to clear the debt off would be successful. In conclusion, he urged the necessity of each one finding the special work for which he or she was qualified, and doing that work honestly and well. Let them find their niche and fill it. There should be. no drones. God had His work for eaclij and was willing to show that work and empower them to do it if they sought Him faithfully. The Rev. A. B. Todd expressed liis pleasure at being once more present at a Wesleyan anniversary. He congratulated them on their progress during the year, and hoped that the coming year would be even more prosperous, and that they would grow in grace and all the Christian virtues. He was pleased to hear of what the young ladies had been doing to the churcl?, and thought they deserved a hearty vote of thanks. (Applause). He intended to address a few words to them on " Self-denial," but Mr Dewdney had partly anticipated him. Their whole religion was founded on self-sacrifice, and self-sacrifice was. the key to a truly Christian life. It was the apprehend sion of this truth that called forth their love in return. Just as they realised this, in such, measure would they profitably fulfil their duty, in their families, in their businesses, and in the State. This was the attitude in which they, as Christians, should stand, looking to Christ as their pattern. This would enable them to discharge many of their duties which would otherwise be irksome. It was not by any exercise of will that they could achieve their sanctification, but by. looking with faith to Jesus. He concluded with a special word to the boys, urging them not to go out at night and "associate with the larrikins. On the motion of Mr Thorpe, seconded by Mr Cunninghame, votes of thanks were passed to the ladies for .providing the tea, to the ministers, and to Mr Wright for services rendered last Sunday, to the choir and singers, and to the local Press. During the evening the choir sang' a number of well-chosen selections, under j the conductorship ot Mr Flamank. AI special feature was, indeed/ made of the programme, which was highly successful Solos were also given by Mrs Oliver, Miss L. Ferens, Miss Collie, Miss Grenfell, Mr H.Grenfell. The pronouncing of the Benediction closed the meeting. i