WESLEY CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5609, 24 December 1907, Page 3

WESLEY CHURCH, TEMUKA.

At .Wesley-Church, Temuka,, en Sunday morning, 'the Eev. H. Bull, of Christchurch, conducted a memorial service in connection with the sudden death of the late Mr Job Brown. Mr Bull took for his text 11. Tim. iv., 7 —"I have kept tho faith," and deliverered an eloquent sermon. At the conclusion he read the following' paper I dealing with the life of the late MiBrown .—"'Tho late Mr Brown was born in Cheshire, 13th August, 1836. When a youth ho left his i ativc village and settled at Glossop, in Derbyshire. Here he lived until his departure for New 'Zealand dn June, 1563. Two events of considerable importance bearing upon his future life took place at Glossop. One was his marriage in 1567. The golden wedding was cole bratcd at Temuka on October 25th, 1907. Tho other was his inception into membership with the Congregational. Church.in 1955, as the result of special services held in that church. Mr Brown reached Timaru in the Victory in October, 1863, and in June, 18G5, lie reinovjed to Temuka, so that he had been a resident in this town more than 42 years. The first steps towards the erection of a Methodist Church in Temuka, were taken in ISGS. In that year the Eev. H.~Bull presided over a, meeting held in MiBrown's house, when a committee was formed, resulting in the e-ection of a church in 1860. This was afterwards burned. A 'brick building was next erected, and subsequently the ono in which worship 'was now held. Mr Bull emphasised tho following points :—(!) Tho firm foundation on which Mr Brawn's long and useful Christian life was built .was laid at Glossop in ISaS, when lie decided to consecrate himself to God's service and united in membership with the church there. (2) The late Mr Brown was a man of a large-hearted and catholic spirit. On his arrival in Timaru ho worked in the interests of the Anglican Church, both as a Sunday School teacher and as a member' of the. choir. (3) In April, 1865, the Rev. J. B. Richardson was appointed as the pioneer Wcsleyan Methodist minister of tho Timaru circuit,. and Mr Brown united with the chufoh then formed under Mr Richardson's ministry. , He became an official of the church, and an energetic worker. The circuit comprised all places front Geraldine in the north to Waimate in the south. Mr Brown took his. part regularly as a laypreacher in filling tho pulpits of a wide circuit -with unselfish devotion, ami his services met with much acceptance by the people. (4) He took a deep interest in the welfare of the children. He commenced the first Sunday school in Temuka, and was for many years superintendent of the I school in connection with tho Method. ! ist and in this capacity he did much to promote the happiness and prosperity of young people. (5) I His benefactions were made on a liberal and systematic soale. - 'His absence from Temuka in England or elsewhere was not allowed to interfere ■'with tho regular flow of income to the church. The church site was his personal gift, 'and on occasions of special need he was ready with special help. (6) His end was peace. There was no struggle, no prolonged pain, but a calm and peaoeful transit from earthly surroundings to heavenly scenes. 'He was not, for God was with him.' Mr Bull read extracts from a letter received from the Eev. C. E. Boecroft, speaking in high terms of the worth, usefulness, and noble character of the departed, concluding .with a verse from Gila's. Wesley's. l hymn on Death—"■o that without a lingering groan, 1. may the welcome word receive ; My .'body with* my charge lay down, And oease nt once to work'uinHive."