WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3127, 11 April 1883, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

SOCIAL MEETING. As had been announced, a tea meeting was held last evening in the Wesleyan schoolroom. Every preparation had been made for a very largo gathering, but the attendance was scanty, not more than 120 persons at the outside gathering round the wellstocked tables. Whether tea-meetings are becoming less popular, or the present depression has anything to do with it, we do not know, but certainly the attendance, in point of numbers, was not very encouraging, though the enjoyment of those who did attend was complete, judging from their looks of contentment and interest. There were eight tables, all bountifully supplied, and presided over by Mesdames Gilchrist, Holdgate, Jackson, Guilbert, Webster, Beck, Amos, and a last one, provided by the bachelors. After an excellent repast, an adjournment was made to the church, where a SACKED CONCERT was bold, the building being tolerably filled before the concert commenced. The Superintendent of the Sunday school occupied the Chair, and Mr Gilchrist conducted. The Bev. Mr Beck remarked that previous to the commencement of the musical portion of the entertainment a few words of thanks were due to those who had assisted in the beginning of the evening, Ho regretted he had to apologise for the absence of one member of the choir (Miss Muskor), who was too unwell to be present. Miss Innes, however, had consented, in her nsual kindly rannner, to fill the vacancy. The choir commenced the concert by singing the anthem “ With thankfulness our cheerful voices raise,*’ and followed at intervals with others, the concluding anthems, “Glory, honor, power, and blessing," and “Daughter of Zion’’ being capitally given. Messrs] Gil-

christ and Warrington respectively contributed from the “Creation” and “Samson.” The Misses HMgh, Innes, Warrington, Clarke, and Mr Foster also adding their quota of minor selections. One of Stephen Massett’s compositions was very effectively given by Mrs Wilson, and Miss Haigh followed shortly afterwards with “ The Sleep of Sorrow ” (A. Jennissen), both ladies having to appear a second time. A sacred concert would be incomplete without some selection from the “Messiah.” Two of the choicest were placed upon the list, and were sung by Mrs Holdgate and Miss Innes. Miss It. L. Ball presided at the organ, and assisted in no small degree to the successful termination of the concert.