ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST’S CHURCH, WINCHESTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1471, 23 February 1886, Page 2

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST’S CHURCH, WINCHESTER.

A very successful tea and concert in connection with this Church,was held in the "Winchester Schoolroom on Friday, 19th inst., with the object of obtaining the funds necessary for painting the exterior of the Church. Tables running the length of the room were most invitingly set out, beautifully decorated, and were presided over by the following ladies, who provided the tea: —MesdatnesF. H. Barker, Tnwood. Young, Deßenzy, R. Smith, H. E. Smith, Barrett, and Bass, assisted by Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Flee, Miss Young, and Miss Mansell. Tea being disposed of, the concert commenced at 8 p.m. It was opened with a pleasing overture by Mrs Deßenzy, and the efforts of all the performers were highly successful throughout. Those who were absent missed a treat in Mrs Rout’s song “ Thou Art so Near ” and “ True to the last,” and Mrs F. H. Barker’s “ Pepita ” and “ Olivia ” (the first of which received an enthusiastic encore). Miss Ladbrooke sang “The Gate of the West” and “I Love the Merry Sunshine” in a most pleasing and effective style, and also sang in a duet with the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, “Polaski’s Banner”. Mr Rutland, Mr Lodge, and Mr Thruston acquitted themselves admirably : the former sang “ Will-o’-lhe-Wisp ” and “The Village Blacksmith;” Mr Lodge, “True till Death;” and Mr Thruston,. “Nancy Lee.” The Rev. Mr Smythe, of Pleasant Point, gave a very humorous address, predicting a time of prosperity (wheat 3s 6d a bushel), and marriages consequently in abundance. He applauded the efforts the people were making to keep their church in repair, and, in conclusion, hoped that the social gathering that evening might be the means of cementing the bonds of friendship and love in thus uniting to do work for the Master’s cause. The gentleman sat down amidst vocfferous applause.

At the close of the entertainment the Incumbent apologised for the absence of the Rev. J. Preston, who was unable to be present owing to his being called away to the Mackenzie Country. He trusted that at some future time they might have the pleasure of bearing an address from him. He then gave a short account of the spread of Christianity from Apostolic times; its introduction into Britain, and the growth of the British Church from 66 A.D. to the present time—showing how the streams of Christianity flowed from Jerusalem, and by missionary efforts churches were established in Africa, Syria, Pome, France (Gaul), and Spain and Biitain. The introduction of Christianity to Britain was ascribed by some of the early Fathers to St. Paul, and by others to the Roman Centurion, who stood by the Cross and said, “ Truly this was the Son of God.” British Bishops were present at the Council of Arles in 314 A.D. ; and when the Saxon invaders drove the British back into the remote fastnesses of Wales, St. Augustine (from Rome) found the Church still flourishing there when he lauded in 596 A.D. The conversion of the Saxons was due to the efforts of Augustine in the South (who founded the See of Canterbury) and Aidan (from the land of Iona) in the North (who founded the See of York). The Church, after the conversion of the Angles and Saxons, was consolidated in 373,150 years before the union of the three Kingdoms. Large gifts and benefactions were made by private individuals, and these were afterwards secured to the Church legally when a Parliament was formed (about 1215, when King John signed the Magna Charts). After speaking of Church reform in 1568 (when the various sects, began to arise), and paying tribute to the great workers in the dark days of the Church (e.g., Wesley, Whitefield, etc.), the rev, gentleman spoke of the life now in the Church as compared with those days. He mentioned that great mission work was being done, and that since 1840 no less than £40,000,000 had been given by private benefactors in aid of building and restoring churches. In conclusion, he urged all to be true to the Church of their forefathers, and to stamp out all impurity and sin in it by fighting as good soldiers of the Cross and working as faithful servants of Christ,

Ho then called upon Mr Inwooi to return thanks to the ladies who had so kindly assisted in providing the tea, and also given their aid in the concert. This was done in a most able manner, Mr Inwood paying a high tribute to the energy and zeal of the ladies of Winchester in nil matters—but he rather blamed the male portion for their snpineness, but possibly this was excusable during harvest operations. The meeting closed with the National Anthem.

We are requested to state that the thanks of the congregation are due to Mr Fenton for the use of his piano, and to the gentleman who so kindly tuned it free of cost ; to the performers, to the Rev. Mr Smythe, who came from a distance, and to all who in any way assisted by giving time and labor. A handsome sum was realised.