NINETIETH ANNIVERSARY

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1934, Page 7

NINETIETH ANNIVERSARY

THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS

NEW PLYMOUTH COMMEMORATION.

MEMORIES OF THE REV. J. NIXON. 'DIFFICULTIES OF THE PIONEERS. The early activities of the Primitive Methodist Church and the manner in which he became associated with the church as a minister were told by the Rev. John Nixon at the 90th anniversary service held at the Fitzroy Methodist Church yesterday morning. The Revs. S. Henderson and J. D. Grocott and Mr. H. Holland, M.P., Christchurch, assisted at the service. ‘ Mr. Grocott said the commemoration service was one of the greatest moments in the life of Mr. Nixon. He was pleased that the congregation could join in fellowship with Mr. Nixon, who was able to look back on the success of years. Mr. Nixon had come through trying years with all flags flying. Mr. Grocott said he wished that he could feel that he would come to the fruition of his ministry with the same vigour of body and depth of experience as had Mr. Nixon. The service was a great occasion for Mr. Nixon, a pioneer of the church, and it would be an inspiration that would give confidence for future years. His ministry had been very every-day, very commonplace, said Mr. Nixon, and when he was called on to make an address on great occasions he always felt afterwards that he would like to have another try. The persecution of the church, which was at Jerusalem, had resulted in the scattering of its followers abroad. As they went abroad they preached and some 'came to Antioch, where a revival of the church took place. Tidings of the activities at Antioch reached Jerusalem and St. Barnabas was sent forth as a commissioner. It was St. Barnabas, “who when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” CHURCH OF ANTIOCH. A cfaurch. was founded at. Antioch, not at ,the request of Christian teachers, but by laymen who had obeyed an impulse. < And similarly the church had been founded in New Zealand. Ninety years ago the R6v. Robert Ward preached his 'first sermon on the banks of the Huatoki River, New Plymouth, when he had taken for his text, “This is a faithful saying.” • When Robert Ward arrived at New Plymouth he found a beautiful country and a magnificent mountain, said Mr, Nixon. He found everything but religion. He set about spreading the grace of God amongst the people in a manner that won the admiration of all. He was happy at his work, full of benevolent gladness and full of goodness, for like , Barnabas he was a good man. He was poorly paid and often had nothing but a slice of bread and butter for breakfast. Only one collection was taken each quarter, and Mr. Ward had often to wait months for his salary. He had worked determinedly to establish the church. His fullness of heart had won for him the. love of all. Success was nothing unless achieved by a faithful servant. Mr. Ward had indeed proved a faithful servant. Tracing his own early connections with the Primitive Methodist Church, Mr. Nixon said he was Working on a South Island sheep station for 5s a week when he first became associated with Christians. Their zeal and warmth of heart had greatly attracted him. They had set about finding ways and. means of sending him to college. Mr. Nixon had attempted to enter a college at Melbourne. In fear and trembling he had interviewed the Rev. Dr. Wall, but had been refused admission as he had not been recommended by the Portland ministry. RETURN TO NEW ZEALAND. , He was told, that if he could raise ' £lOO he would be admitted With but 14 sovereigns in his pocket he had little chance of raising the money, so he returned to Wellington, said Mr. Nixon. There he was offered a relieving position at the mission. At the conclusion of the engagement Mr. Ward was determined to retain his services and the pair were associated until thfe death of Mr; Ward. Mr. Nixon recalled that one evening Mr. Ward had preached at the mission and later was heard to remark time after time, "Have I preached my last sermon?” It was, for he died a few days later.. Mr. Holland said he brought wholehearted greetings from the Rev. G. W. Hall, Cambridge Terrace Church, and n the Rev. Hunt and Mrs. Hunt, Wanganui, L who regretted being unable to be present. - Mr. Holland contrasted the conditions of 90 years ago .with those of to-day as far as the church was concerned. Today the church had to contend with many difficulties that were unknown in the old days. He recalled the occasion when the Cambridge Terrace Church commenced a campaign and ministers had' travelled as far as 30 and 40 miles to conduct services. The maximum salary was £4O a quarter, paid after all other accounts were paid, and often the ministers received very little, if any- “ thing. To-day there was the difficulty of getting people to church. The motorcar and the radio had done much to bring about a neglect of the church. People preferred to go joy-riding or to stay at home and listen to some preacher 300 or 400 miles away. • When the Primitive Methodists had first started in New Zealand the then Government had offered an endowment to the church This, however, was declined and the benefits were lost to the church. The faith of the pioneers was simple—a simple piety that reached the hearts of all who came in contact with it Mr. Holland appealed to those present to strengthen the church. He felt confident for the future. There was a rift in the clouds of depression, and he felt that better times were ahead for those who imitated the example of the pioneers of the church, to whom no journey was too big. “Let us see to it that their work and their sacrifices are not thrown away,” he concluded.