BAPTIST CHURCH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3157, 16 May 1883, Page 2

BAPTIST CHURCH.

SOCIAL MEETING. Last evening, as announced, a social tea-meeting in connection with the Baptist body, was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Barnard street. About 120 persons attended, the tables were bountifully furnished, and the promoters of the meeting were indefatigable in their efforts to promote the enjoyment of those present. The following ladies supplied tables, viz: Misses Jefcoate, Green, Simmonds, Wood, Bishop, and Mesdames Jefcoate, Gerrish, Kay, Wood, Farrant, and Kirby. After the meal had been despatched, an adjournment was made to the Church in E street, where an interesting meeting was held. Mr Simmons was called to the Chair, and with him on the platform were the Rev Messrs Dolomore and Macintosh, and Messrs Haggitt and Jefcoate. The excellent choir of the church was stationed in front of the platform, and contributed several very pleasing hymns from Sankey’s collection, being well accompanied by the American organ. After hymns and prayer, the Chairman congratulated the members of the church on thelarge and agreeable gathering, and announced that henceforth until a pastor could be obtained the Rev. Mr Dolomore would officiate every alternate Sunday, the intermediate services being supplied by various Christian brethren in Timaru. He then called upon the Treasurer to read his report. The Treasurer then delivered a statement, prefacing it by remarking that the audited statement would be published in the “ New Zealand Baptist." It appeared that the total cost of the building and fittings was £648 6s, while the section on which the building stood was, he considered, a real godsend, for it had been got very cheap, costing only £4O. The debt had been reduced by £IOO, but in the current expenses account, a debt of £23 14s Id had been incurred, a member of the church having kindly lent that sum without interest in order to make up a deficiency. Mr Johnston had received £53 in about four months. The Treasurer’s remarks were very encouraging and were received with applause. The Rev Mr Macintosh delivered a most pleasing and humorous address, in the course of which he remarked that the Baptists had had the honor of introducing Christianity to India by means of the missionary Carey. He remarked that a member of that church gave to bis (the speaker’s) church funds to the sum of £lO, and had collected £6O for the same purpose. Such men belonging to the Baptist church would soon wipe off the debt. The rev. gentleman was heartily applauded on resuming bis seat.

Mr Haggitt referred to the delight with which he observed the present fraternising of sects, and he wished the congregation all success in their .new venture.

The Rev. Mr Dolomore, before commencing bis promised lecture on “Home, sweet home," desired to say that he was not to be understood as referring to any particular homes in the place. He would also like the audience to understand that he dispensed with manuscript because be wished to speak in a homely way to the people, and to see their faces during the time he was speaking, He then delivered a most charming little discourse ou “ Home, Sweet Home," sketching a happy home, and here and there interspersing his remarks with highly amusing anecdotes, winding up by some very telling remarks on debt and drink in connection with domestic life. The lecture was received with manifest pleasure by everyone present, and the proceedings were brought to a close by Mr Jefcoato's moving a vote of thanks to the ladies, the gentlemen who bad given addresses, and the choir, which was carried by acclamation.