BAPTIST TABERNACLE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144056, 28 March 1913, Page 6

BAPTIST TABERNACLE.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE Tho ceremony of faying the foundation. stone of iho new mptist Tabernacle, which is being erected at tho 'inter-section ol Liardot and Lemon Streets to replace the present building in Gill Street, took place on Thursday afternoon in the presence of a fairly large attendance. 'j no ccremujiy opened with a hymn and prayer, followed by a lew snort addresses. Tho Rev. \V. Drew, formerly pastor at Gill Street, lirat ollemi Ins congratulations to tho congregation ’on the important advance nuuie as the result of their efforts tor a number of years. Ho was glad they had chosen tabernacle as the name for tho edifice, as compared with church or chapel. Sometimes there was much in a name and sometimes nothing. Tabernacle was a term familiar in tho Old •Country, but not very well known here, in the Old Land they had many old and handsome buildings of several centuries’ standing and many of them bifilt by forced labour. At tho supio time the-Nonconformists in New Zealand did iwt labour unefcr the same disadvantage that Nonconformists did in. the Old Country. Referring to the term church, the speaker said that 40 or 50 years ago many of their Nonconformist friends had conscientious scruples about its use. They used to say it was in conformity with the teaching ol tiio Anglican Church. Continuing, Air. Drew explained tho meaning of clyipcl, as a kind ol appendage • to a largo ecclesiastical building, or in large parishes as a subordinate building to the largo maid structure. There was' only ono thing, continued the speaker, that he could hope for, and that was that those wiho went to worship in the tabernacle would get as closely knitted together as the stones they saw in tho building itself. The future was before them and he anticipated brighter and better days for the Baptist Church in this town than had begu experienced in the past. Ho concluded by expressing his thankfulness to God and to the friends to whoso generosity it was that the building was being erected. Mr. G. H. Maunder, secretary of the church, spoke at some length on the "people caljp.d Baptists,” doing so because he said people did not understand the Baptist position. There w’ere Baptists among the very earliest settlers here, and altlumgb they hath been in the background hitherto, they wero riow coming to tho front. The reason they had not been so prominent was largely because of their policy. Each church was separate and indenendent, and this did not tend to organised movements throughout tho Dominion. At the same lime if they wore not organised they wero “there all the same.” Continuing' Mr. Maunder said Baptists were not born Baptists. They W'ore there as the outcome of their own judgment and conviction*. Touching on the early history of tho movement in New. Plymouth tho speaker sgid that in the very early forties they had been here, sometimes organised and sometimes not, but they had always maintained their position here. They often worked amongst other churches doing good work, although not recognised as Baptists. Thg old church in Gill Street was built in 186} or *65. and tho foundation stone was laid by that good martyr-missionary tho Rev. John Whitcley, who was a .Baptist before ho ■ became a Methodist, concluded . Mr. Maunder. ,

The Her. F. Hales also spoke a few words. He referred to the generosity of Mr. G. H. Maunder and Mrs. Maunder, and his brother and wife, but for which there would hare been no new church that day. The stone was then placed in position and Mr. Hales declared it well and truly laid. After the 'singing of another hymn and the pronouncing,of the benediction the gathering dispersed. PUBLIC MEETING. The celebration of the foundation stone-laying at the Tabernacle was continued in a tea meeting in the Gill Street Church. The ladies of the church had spared no pains in providing a sumptuous tea. served in a dainty fashion ami evidently enjoyed by the large company present. Invitations had been tendered to the Grand Lo<jgo of Good Templars now in session in our town, and there were many members of Grand Lodge present. There were also many friends from the sister churches of New Plymouth. The tables were presided over by Mesdnmes Honnor, Richardson. Goodacre, Amhury, Mnupder, Carthew, Coleman, Hales, and Miss Drew. After tea there was an open meeting of membecs and friends, with the pastor, Rev. F. Hales, in the chair, and on the platform wore also Revs. J. W. Burton, T. H. Eosevenre, and Wm. Drew. The Revs. H. T. Pent and R. J. Liddell left early to attend another meeting. Mr. Hales explained briefly the. financial position with regard to. tho now building, and said that, with promises already given, there was a good prospect' of opening the Tabernacle in June or July next with only a very small debt. Ho referred also to the great liberality of all in tho Church 1 . Rev. J. W. Burton and Rev. T. H. Rosevoare, on behalf of their respective churches, congratulated the Baptist Church on their forward movement, and wished them every success. Rev. Win. Drew gave an interesting address, recounting the history of the church during the last 20 years, and from such a review he learnt to bo hopeful for the future. Ho pointed out that while the Baptists were tho most numerous of all the evangelical churches the world over, how few they were compared with tho many millions who did not come under the influence and power of tho gospel of Jesus Christ. This should certainly be an incentive to aggressive Christian work. Mr.'6. H. Maunder also spoko a few words of encouragement to the church. There was a pleasant change in tho programmo when Mr. Haigs presented Mrs. W. J. Richardson, who is very shortly visiting-England, with a handsome hand-bag from the scholars of the Sunday School class, and a travelling bag from the'church. In making the presentation the Chairman said how much Mrs. Richardson was rcsncctecl by both church and school, and expressed the hope that she would"have a pleasant voyage to the Homeland, a happy time there, and a speedy return.Mrs.'Richardson, in a few thoughtful words, thanked all the donors for their great kindness to her in this matter. The meeting closed with the singing of ‘"Load Kindly Light” and the benediction.