PRIMITIVE METHODISM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13371, 12 January 1907, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODISM.

ITS PROGKESS IN NEW PLYMOUTH. It may interest our readers to know that Primitive Methodism m Now 'Zealand had its commencement in. New Plymouth on September Ist, 1844,1 when the late Rev R,. Ward took hisi stand on the Huatoki bridge, in the' centre of the town and preached from,' "This is - a faithful saying, and worthy oii all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into tine iVvorld to save sinners." The service was still proceeding when the afternoon worship in the Bible Christian Church concluded. Several of the Bible Christians made their ,way to the bridge and listened to the preacher. They soon discovered that he taught doctrines in harmony with their own, and it was not very long before they heartily joined the Primitive Methodist Church, and assisted the pioneer missionary to promote thq \v o rk of God in the district. Mr Ward, heing a main of. great enthusiasm, soon visited the country districts, and supplied the scattered; settlers -with religious services. He cherished a great desire to preach the <503 pel to- the Maori's, but deemed it necessary to secure the mloral support of thie European population first. Accordingly be threw himself into a mighty and successful effort to rouse the wjhole of the settlers rtb a sense of their religious privii'eges anti duties. On the arrival of the Rev H. Green, Mr Ward was relieved for a time of the European work; and 'commenced work amongst the Maoris, performing wearisome journeys on foot, frequently sleeping on the bare ground wrappi d in- his blankut. nr cloak sometimes being without food; In* time Mr Green removed to Wellingjton, and Mr Wtvrd, bednjr convinced that a double mission was impracticable, confiniad his laWours almost entirely to the white population. After six year 9of faithful and em-, cient service, ' dnringi which 'Mr IWard cofnanandelci the . respect of all who knew him, he removed to Auckland, and! tJie Rey Joseph Long became 'his successor. Mr Long's, ministry of nine years was characterised by, groat activity and the erection of churches in the country districts. The first Primitive Methodist Church was erected by Mr Ward at the Henui (on the same site a new church is to be opened om Sunday next), but during Mr Long's ministry the Omata block wa«, opened for settlement, and many of the Htioui villagers removing ; thi*hJer, a new church was erected at Omata in 1852. Bell Block was also opened for settlement and a new' church' was built there in 1855. iA small church was also built at Tataraimaka, which" was destroyed 7 during the Maori war, and afterwards replaced bj' an undenominational church*. In 1859, the Row R. Ward returned to this district, and had a very tryingexperience during the Maori War. The work o"f years was undone in -a few months, smiling homesteads and prosperous little farms becoming the. scene of desolation and death. It was, however, during- th'ls period that tive Church w-as graciously revived, nbout 60 persons profcssinig conversion. Another choering- event was the erection of t'hc Quecn-st Ohuroh. the congregation ' having previously worshipped in the small church handed o" er to Mr Ward by the Bible Christianrs. The now church soon became too small, and was enlarged at a east ot £ 300. After nine yoars of •successful service, "Mr Ward closed -hi« ■second term o* ministry, an'l was succuodcd.by the "fi^v. C. Waters, who, with his good wife, rendered splendid 5-n.rvicc for three years. The Rev. John Dumbell then, tooV charge of the mission, and during his ministry , tho present parsonage was aerxiirod and much good work done, i the Riev. JT. Clover, his colleague, | j proving a worthy helper. With the more recent Iti story of the church many of our readers will h« familiar, and Avant \ol .spacp prevents us recording it in detail, but we oanuot' close this brief sket«lx without alluding to the splendid work done by the Rev. «1 . Nixon, the present anin ister, aaid the important positions oceupicd in the past l>y tih« ' la*© Mr ifiames Bollrinser. We hoartftly wish those 90 delegates, who come from all parts of the colony to attend the Conference', a pleasant sojourn in our city.