RAHOTU.

Opunake Times, Volume VI, Issue 268, 2 April 1897, Page 3

RAHOTU.

(From a Correspondent). The Wesleyan Church Harvest Thanksgiving Services were most successfully held on Sunday and Monday last. Sermons by Rev. John H. "White from Acts 14ch 17v and Galatians 6ch 7v were of most appropriate character and drove home the obvious lessons of the harvest season. The scholroom was charmingly decorated by more than thirty willing workers on the Saturday evening. On MonMr White presided over a meeting, the joyous and happy character of which befitted the occasion—the proceedings were opened with singing and prayer, then a capital musical programme to which Mesdames Keasberry, Pope and Wagstaff, the Misses Chapman, Howell, Morgan, Rutherford, Tregurtha, Messrs Chapman, Knowles, Smith, Howell contributed, while variety was added by the reading and recitation of Mr Beckway. Encores would have been demanded in nearly every case had not exigency of time, as the chairman stated, made it prudent to deny ourselves in that direction. Then w T e had most excellently served refreshments on a highly liberal and large hearted scale till all were cheerfully ready for the sale of produse, which with Mr Bradley impressed for an auctioneer, resulted in a splendid help to the church funds. The vareity of produce contributed was a tribute to the iugenuity and generosity of the settlers of the district. Fowls, ducks, pig, ham, butter, firewood with all manner of fruit and vegetables fell rapidly to the competing bidders amid the humor of auctioneer and fun of audience that was most happily and heartily enjoyable. The mirth of the occasion was increased by the fact that our pleasure was combined in aiding a worthy cause. A comprehensive vote of thanks to donors of refreshments and produce, to a body guard who carried the piano and to Mr O’Donnell who lent it, to the singers, reciters and players upon instruments, to “the hewers of wood and the drawers (and boiler) of water,” to the decorators, &o. f was gratefully moved by the chairman and carried with acclamation. During the evening Mr White announced that it had been decided to build a Wesleyan Church at Rahotu, the response of the friends to the appointed collectors having been of a most cheering, kindly and unanimous character. Members of other churches had been prompt to show their goodwill, and be (the speaker) said he hoped all denominations in the service of Christ - would magnify their agreements, which were large and vital, and minimise their differences, which were comparatively small and unsignificant. The audience shewed their approval of these remarks by immediate and emphatic cheers. Mr White added that a bazaar in aid would be held, and with the help of the ladies in this direction it was expected to erect the church and avoid incurring any debt thereon. The financial proceeds of the harvest services, inclusive of the Sabbath collections, will be nearly £B, a result which the most hopeful expectations had not equalled.