BLUFF PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

Southland Times, Issue 3898, 17 December 1880, Page 2

BLUFF PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

(from ouu own correspondent.) What may be termed, I think, the most successful gathering that has ever been held at the Bluff took place on Wednesday evening in connection with the first anniversary ofthe Primitive Methodist Church. That delight of every Methodist, a teu meeting, was held in the Athemeum, and when it is considered that the whole of the arrangements were carried out by the ladies, it is almost needless to state that it was in every way a complete success. The Athenaeum Hall never presented a more inviting appearance, and when the whole of the available seats were occupied, every face beaming with happiness, the scene was one which will always be remembered by all who witnessed it with gieat pleasure. Reunions of this description have been rare at the Bluff; and although they must entail considerable trouble aud expense upon those who take an active part in getting them up, still, the the amount oE pleasure gained, and good done, by friends and strangers being brought into harmonious contact with one another mußt amply compensate the promoters for all their trouble. It must be especially gratifyiug to those ladies who took such trouble to see their efforts so highly appreciated. Atter tea had been dispensed to all present, an adjournment was made to the church next door, where two or three very pleasant hours were spent. Mr A. C. Henderson, of your city, who is spending a few weeks here, was proposed as chairman, and fulfilled the duties

to perfection. After an anthem had been sung by the choir, the chairman called upon the Society steward (Mr \\ T . Henderson) to read the report for the past term. The report was a most satisfactory one. Since the opening of the church a debt of £26 has been upon it, but the subscriptions received in connection with the present anniversary will pay this amount, and leave a balauce of over £2G in hand, with which it is intended to lence the church and improve the grounds. The steward made a statement respecting the receipts and expenditure also, showing how the various collections were disposed of. He then intimated that steps were being taken to get a second minister in connection with the Invercargill circuit, who would be stationed at the Bluff. The present services would, however, nut be interfered with, but continue as before, the Episcopalian denomination sharing thc church equally with the Primitives. After a hymn by the choir, Mr Perkins delivered an interesting address, dwelling principally upon the fusion of the different Methodist denominations. The choir then sang, a-.rl Mr S. Nichol followed with a short address, in which he dwelt upon the harmonious feeling which existed between the two denominations, and complimented the choir upon the efficiency they had attained, and especially the two lady organists who had so willingly attended every service. The Chairman then called upon Mr W. Henderson to fulfil what he termed the most pleasant duty of the eveniug. Mr Henderson then ascended the platform with a large and beautifully-framed and illuminated address, which he infotnied the audience he was commissioned to present to Mr Perkins. The speaker, in a short address, referred to tiie length of time (some 17 j'ears) which Mr Perkins had fortnightly, almost withont intermission, ridden down to the Bluff, and officiated as minister. He particularly referred to the early days, when the small interest taken in religious mutters must have been very discouraging to the preacher ; yet, notwithstanding every difficulty, Mr Perkins, seeing the place was deserted, had assiduously attended to il, and at his own expense provided services as often as possible. He then read the address, which, by the way, was, with the exception of course of the frame ; (a massive gilt one supplied by Mr 1). Ross), the work of Mr Geo. C. i3aker, of Invercargill, and was fully pn iy par wjth previous performance by the same gentlepjan, being exceedingly appropriate in cjesign, and most tastefully executed. The address \yas as follows : — Thomas Perkins, Esq. Dear sir. — We, the j office-bearers and adherents of the Primitive I Methodist CJjiv.cb, BlufiE Harbor, w behalf gf •

3~_ _. r—^ ' ' *— ourselves and your many friends here, on this thc. fiist anniversary of the building of our church, embrace the opportunity of expressing our high appreciation of your past twe vc year^' laborLtamoingsfc us-r-your courtesy, Hymi)^h^^Snsel^|tocVH,b«^li%re' ; pec'ting our wel^pSoth tc^'^i'nVifci^^piritii^ljJab^ra^. often inv^viugohyip^part^mueh per'seraallljfe 7 ? convenience aud se.f^a^rjjfice. And while it gives us great satisfaction on this occasion to bear testimony to the good fruits which, by God's blessing, have attended your ministra- j tious, \ve...i ray that you may long be spared to " scatter seeds of kindness," and that a mindF ful Providence will ever watch over yourself and family till at last you reap your abundaut reward. Then follow fhe Mr Perkins, in returning thanks, appeared very much affected.,- He stated that he was taken entirely by surprise, and was quite unprepared to dp' inore than thank those present for wlrcit; they had done. The choir. then gave "Hotf beautiful upon the Mountains," the anthem being followed by a very amusing address from the Rev. Mr Bunn. This gentleman was heartily received by those present, a number of bis old friends not having seen him since his last visit, thirteen years ago. He was entirely at home, and kept those present highly amused, a vein of humor I'ur.ning through his address. The rev. gentleman expressed his approval of the position which Mr Perkins occupied in tbe hearts of the people at the Blnff, and assured them that he was in every way worthy of their respect and esteem. After the choir bad sung Sankey's "No other Name," the Rev. Mr Ward addressed the meeting. He referred particularly to the continued unanimity existing between the two denominations, and especially thanked Mr S. Nichol, lay reader tor the Episcopalians, for the hearty and kind manner in which he always assisted the Primitives whenever anything transpired to prevent them fulfilling their engagements here. An Episcopalian and a Primitive Methodist working amicably in the same church was just as it should be, but at the same time was a rare occurrence. He also complimented the Trust upon having such a handsome little church, and actually having money in hand. This idea was at novel as the other. Mr Ward concluded by returning thanks to the ladies who had so well carried out the tea meeting ; also t( tliose who had so liberally subscribed, and to the chairman for having so admirably fulfilled,the duties of tho chair. A prayer by Mr Ward and the henedic tion coucluded a most enjoyable evening.