Salvation Army, Temuka.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3530, 2 January 1900, Page 2

Salvation Army, Temuka.

The,now Salvation Army Barracks recently erected at Temuka, were formally opened by Colonel Estill on Sunday morning last at ll o’clock, when there was a splendid muster of local and visiting soldiers and friends. Occupying the platform, at the south end of the building, besides Colonel Estill were Majors Gallant and Lipsitt, and the local officers of the corps, the ceremony was very simple being the usual morning service of the Army, led by Colonel Estill, who, with Majors Gallant and Lipsitt, delivered brief and impressive addresses to those present. After singing two hymns, with prayers by the soldiers. Major Gallant, in a few remarks, stated the great pleasure he felt at being present. With thanks to Mr Hopkinson and Mr D, Mclnuess they were enabled to worship God in their own building. Although it was not the sole property of the Army, still he hoped very soon it would be, and he thought it only proper that in the measure in which God has prospered them, the very least they could do in return was to give God a portion of their goods. Major Lipsitt, of Queensland, preceding Colonel Estill, complimented the Temuka corps on their pretty structure just erected to God’s service, He thought Temuka, with all its pretty surroundings, as compared with the country he had left, was most impressive. And then when, one came in contact with the people of the district he found himself more impressed than ever. It gave him very gteat pleasure to be present at the opening of the new barracks on this the last Sunday of the old year; the fading away of another period in our time. It was a good thing that God was not confined to any particular place, but where there was a heart willing to serve Him there he could be found. If righteousness was going to help the colony, the principle of the thing would only work out by every man or woman becoming righteous. Colonel Estill then delivered a stirring discourse, from St. John I, 1 to 7 verses. Taking for his subject “The Undivided fellowship of God and His Son Jesus Christ.” The speaker divided his subject under three heads, laying plainly before his hearers a true Christian doctrine, simply and plainly, and greatly impressing those present with his correctness. In the afternoon an open-air meeting was held at 2 o’clock, followed by a swearing in of recruits at the barracks at 3 p.m. At the evening service the commissions for the coming year were presented to the officers of the local corps, who also addressed the meeting. At midnight a watch service was held. All meetings were very well attended. The total dimensions of the building, wbich is of wood, with an iron roof, is 60 feet by 25 feet. It is subdivided into— Main room, including a platform, 50ft x 25ft;. a juniors’room, 14ft x 10ft; a band room, 10ft x 10ft; while just inside the main entrance is a triangular cloak-room. The whole building, as compared with the Volunteer Hall, is 6 inches narrower and 6 feet shorter. The interior of the building is lined with tongued-and-groved timber. There is a 4ft 6in dadoe, the boards being Sin red and white pine alternating. The ' lining of the walls above the dado and-'the ceiling is composed of the same material, 1 but the boards are 6in wide. Prom floor to top of ceiling is 14ft The room is lit by 8 windows, bung on pulleys for ventilation, with one large window over the stage. When the contractor for painting, etc., is finished aoetyline gas will be laid on, sixteen jets being placed in the main room, and one jet in each of the other rooms. There is seating accommodation for 200 in the body of i the hall, and for 40 on the stage, comfortably. The contractor, Mr D. Mclnness, is to bo complimented on the speedy and workmanlike manner in which he executed the work, the whole building being less than five weeks in erection. The painting, varnishing, and plumbing work was done by Mr J. Cooper, and reflects great credit on him.