THE WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3125, 9 April 1883, Page 2

THE WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

The anniversary services in connection with the Wesleyan Church in this town, were held yesterday, the pastor, the Kev. Mr Beck preaching, both morning and evening. The congregation in the morning was not quite so numerous as had been expected, but an excellent sermon was preached from viii Zachariah 21st verse. In the evening.the church was crowded and Mr Beck preached from I Epistle toTimothy Chapter i, verse 15, an eloquent and effective discourse. The preacher touched upon the inexhaustible fountain of truth which the Bible offered, and the reclamatory work, and noble example of Christ, proving these abundantly both from the story of his career on earth, and from the testimony of those who rejected his claims to divinity. As foremost among those who, while denying his divine origin, yet freely admitted the grandeur of his example, and the beauty of his moral teaching the preacher instanced one whom he styled “ the most reckless of the opponents of Christ the son of God,” who, in a passage of unequalled beauty, acknowledged his moral pre-eminence. This was Ernest Renan, whose exquisite composition La, Vie de Jesu attracted so much attention some years ago. The preacher then proceeded to show how the influence of Biblical teaching, and the effect of faith in the Redeemer, had always been beneficial in reclaiming from sin and purifying human life. He concluded with a touching reference to the death of Mrs Griffin who had been buried that afternoon. The sermon was listened to with earnest attention by the large concongregation. One very important feature of the services deserves a special mention, the music. The hymns, notably, “ Nearer my God to Thee,” were admirably rendered by the choir, and joined in by the congregation with unusual heartiness; and an Anthem, sung by the choir, while the offertory was being collected, was most sweetly and harmoniously rendered, Miss Ball’s harmonium accompaniment being equally judicious and effective. In commemoration of the death referred to by the preacher, the voluntary played while the congregation were leaving, consisted of the “Dead March in Saul,” which was given with exquisite taste and effect. The collections for the day realised something ov6r £9. The forthcoming tea-meeting and concert in connection with the anniversary are announced in another column.