The Reporter.

Southern Cross, Volume 8, Issue 31, 24 November 1900, Page 9

The Reporter.

DON STREET P. M. CHURCH It seems only yesterday that the Rev. Mr Westbrook conducted the opening ■ervices of the Primitive Methodist Chnrch in Invercargill in what was then known as the iron building, on the site now occupied by the Theatre Royal, and yet on Wednesday evening, 14th inst., the congregation of tbe Don street Church met to celebrate their twenty-seventh .anniversary. Oddly enough, as the chairman Mr Geo. Frog gat, who has held the position of circuit steward for over a quarter of a century, remarked in his opening address, the first anniversary services were held on the 11th of November, and the tea meeting on the 14th, and they had fallen on the same dates this year. The address delivered by the pastor, the Rev. Mr Lyon, told of progress in every department of church work, not only in the Don Street Church, but in tbe thriving outposts at Otatara and Kennington, “ and best of all,” added the rev. gentleman, “ we have had tokens that God is with us in the spiritual life of the church.” He then referred, in closing, to Marie Corelli’s “ Master Christian, ” and emphatically dissented from the opinions therein expressed that the churches are in effect going to the dogs.—The Chairman spoke of the good work done at Strathearn and Clifton by the Rev. Mr Pybus, and of the success that had attended the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Boys at the Bluff. The Rev. Mr Gibson Smith delivered an address in which humour and seriousness were happily blended ; and Mr Hughes gave a homely, cheery, and sensible little speech on happy memories and how to secure them. During the evening reference was made by the pastor to the earnestness and devotion of the office-bearers. The choir, under Mr W. Field, contributed several selections with good effect, with Mr A. S. Froggatt as organist, and solos were sung by Mr and Mrs Ibbotson.—On the motion of Mr. W. A. Ashley votes of thanks were passed to all who had helped in the success of the anniversary, special mention being made of the admirable sermons delivered on the preceding Sunday by the Rev. Mr White of Wallacetown. The gathering closed with the benediction.