METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 71

METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION.

The eleventh anniversary of the Methodist Central Mission was celebrated by special har- \ e~t tbanksgU mg s>cr^ seas in the Garri=on Hull on Sunday. The pen ices were in e\ery way thoroughly successful, and the autnver-s-aiy rank^ among the best the mission 1 a a yet held. There was a large congregation in the morning, «hen the Rev. J. J. Leui* preached an excellent sermon frcm St. Mattnew v, 36, 37. and 38. In the afternoon the body of the hall wn* fil'ecl. a choral thaiksgn .ng sen ice being held, conducted by the Rev. W. A. Sinclair. Soloa were contributed by Misses Sundcr'and, Ra.viey, and Sister Jean, Messrs D. Hutt'Tn. J. Hopkins, and H. Dickinson, a quartet by Mrs Sinclair, Miss Hodge, Messrs Mehille .uicl Hopkin?. Special har\e=t a-> tliem* v.sro c ui'g by the eh *ir, and an adcireos on 'Sowing, and Reaping ' was gi\cn by the- l } a\. J. V. Spcr.ce. In the evening the \u\ll war, crowded to overflowing, numbers being turned away, while a. great many f-tood throughout the ser\ico The suncriiitendent of the mis'ion was in phorge, ar.d preached from the 16th lerse oi the 1451h Psalm : " Thou opcnc=L Thine hand and frtjfiest the desire of every living thing." The fprmon was appropriate to the occasion. Sister Jean sang " Sowing the seed." and Mr S. Miram-, "The beautiful piaynr." There \\a*> a large choir and orchestra present at all the sci^ ie "i, under the direction of Mr V\~. R. Don. The f-ingni" throughout the day was very greatly appi eclated, and the congregation joined heartily in the hymns. The collection-, amounted to £21 7? 6d. The hall was ■\ery piottily decorated. The galleries were Furroundod with festoons ef— evergreens and hans ng basket'- of flowers, and in the front of the plat form -a table was elected wine's was hden with fruit and -vegetables, a numhor of minor* being mod to heighten the effect. Tlip decorations were carried out under (he direction of Mcscrs Don nyr 1 Craig. Tlic fruit and vegetables ore to be sold, and the proceeds de\.it?d to t'.e Sisters* Home. I ¥h n annual tea and copc.-rt will be held in lh' a Garri.on Hall on Wednesday evening.