Anniversary Soiree.

Southland Times, Issue 4490, 30 November 1882, Page 2

Anniversary Soiree.

The Primitive Methodists celebrated (he anniversary of their church in Sloan's Theatre last evening, a very large number bein<? present Oa fie occasion. There were no less than fifteen tallies set out in the large iiall, presided over by the following ladies: — Mcsiiames Froifg.itt, Henderson, Bidwell. Perkins, Service, Field, Humphreys. Harvey, Palmer, Ross, Donaldson, Woodriortb, and Wilson, the unmarried helpers bein^- Misses MeEwan, McNatly, and Constable, The tubkswtrdlwiceti led before the guests were compkt-'ly disposed of, after whicli they were cleared away,and scats were taken for the public meeting which followed. After a hymn had been sung, and prayer offered up by the Rev. Mr Stobo, Mr Henderson was voted to the chair on the motion of the Rev. Mr Dutton.

Tlie treasurer (Mr Frno-gutt) was then called upon, and stated the liabilities of the church to be £390, and its assets £2,280, leaving a balance in tlieir favor of £1,800. (Applause.) Tho following were the particulars in round numbers as regarded the churches on their etatioii : — (Jhurch endowment had cost something over £1000 ; thep.irsoniige about £550 ; the Bluff Church a little over £500 ; Mavis Bush, when completed, would como to close upon £200 ; and some land at Winton had cost about £30. The particulars of their liabilities were — on Church property, £110 odd ; Mavis Bus!), about £50; the parsonage, about £230; making the total, already stated, of £390. He thoutrht thfcv had much cau*e to be

thankful for the position in which they stood at the present timp. But while they were grateful for the success that had attended their labors they luust not relax in their effort-!, hut be more zealous if pos sible than hithero.

The Chairman then said a few words, pointing first of all to the happy result of the labors of the Rev. Mr Dntton, whose work among them was yet only it matter of a few months. However, he lia-1 established a new Church at One Tree Point, and found it necessary to get an assistant in the Rev. Mr Uoothroyd. The Riverton Primitive body had been established within the last few months and had made headway, and Primitive Methodists could ineot wifh a hearty vyelcome from brethren alj the way between here and Lmnsden. After apologising toy the absence of Hie Rev, liv Ferguson, on account of illness, the Chairman called on the. choir to sing an anthem.

The choir, which we understand has only just been strengthened by the addition of four fresh voices, sung " We will greatly rejoice" in a manner which reflected credit not only on themselves collectively and individually, but likewise on their conductor, Mr Jones. They sang several otheiHimthems during the evening, all being very nicely executed. The accompaniments on the harmonium were played by Mr Service.

The Rev. Mr Harrington, who spoke next, congratulated ihein on having obtained the services <•>£ such an excellent minister. The three-years system, which was peculiar to Methodism, had its advantages and disadvantages, one of the former being exemplified by Mr Dutton's presence among them. The rev. gentleman then proceeded to glance at the present state of Methodism, which he considered satisfactory in one sense, inasmuch as it was evidently advancing, but it was disunited, and if they wanted to succeed thoroughly they must, unite. The speaker pointed to the example of: their great founder, as one which many of them would do well to follow even to a small extent. Throughout his life he never spent more than iS2B per annum on himself, invariably giving the remainder away, whether he were earning ODly £30, as when he first started the plan, or, in later years, when, as the leader of Methodism, he was supposed to bo so wealthy that the Government enquired how much plata he had ih.it he might be taxed accordingly. Wesley's motto was equally characteristic of the man — " All at it and always at it " — and if those present would only take this motto to heart, and act up to it, they would be able to achieve avast amount of good.

The Rev. Mr Stobo followed, choosing for his topic the Church of the Future. He was not oue of those who thought that the world was about to be wound up. (Applause.) He thought that the church militant had a great deal to do before end of all tliiugs came. He could not believe in predictions about the cad o£ the vvoild. owing to the statement made in Holy Writ that no one was to know definitely when the last days were to come. All he was certain of was that it could not be close at hand since it would take a very long time to fulfil those conditiono which St. Paul said must be fulfilled before the last day. The rev. speaker then proceeded to describe the church of the future, which would be neither Methodist, nor Baptist, nor even Presbyterian — although, that was possibly the nearest -to what it would be. (Laughter) — but it would be grander than all these as it would include them all ; nor would the Jewish church be left out but would be grafted in to the church of the future. To attain this they must shorten their creeds and broaden their acts. (Applause.) But as yet neither the Church of the Future was realised nor was the World of the Future reached, nnd it would take ;i very long time indeed before those thin«s, which worn to occur before the end of the world, had been fulfilled, when swords were to be beaten into plough-shares, and the world was to be rilled with a knowledge of the Lord as the waters covered the

earth

Mr Perkins made a few remarks on the subject introduced by the list speaker, and expressed Ins belief thaf the Church of the future would be a Church of unity, although not of uniformity, inasmuch as it would doubtless contain many divergent opinions, although the ground work of belief would be ihe same.

A v^te of thanks to all those who had assisted in the entertainment was then moved by the Rev. Mr Button, seconded by the Rev. Mr Hoothroyd, and carried.

A vote of thanks was then tendered to the chairman on the motion ot Mr Perkins, the proceedings being brought to a close by the pastor pronouncing the Benediction.