WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVI, Issue 7796, 16 April 1894, Page 3

WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Tiieanniversary servicos of ihe Wosloyan hurcli were held yesterday, and proved most successful in every senso of the term. On each occasion there woro large congregations, especially at tho afternoon and evening soryices, when the sitting capaoity of the spacious building was taxed to its utmost. No doubt a good many people present attended out of curiosity to hear the new minister, the Rov. S. J. Serpoll, and wo venture to assert that though tho pooplo expootod a good deal, especially on account of tho romarkablo amount of nnanimity displayed by the church in obtaining him for the oirouit, not one of bis numerous listenors yesterday were disappointed, as he fully realised, expectations. Mr Serpc-11 is evidently a man who calls a spado a spade.; and he ii full of originality, and in impressing his utterances, homely illustrations aVo very conspicuous; and even if'the church was dead, he would undoubtedly restore it to life. In tho morning the rev. gentleman took for his text Amos, vn chap, part of sth verso, By whom shall Jacob arise P for he is small." In the aftornoon he based his remarks upon Job, Ist chap., 4th and 5t h verses, and in the evening Numbers 21st chap.. 9th verses Tho choir and orchestra, under tho leadership of Mr J, P. Williams, rendered an anthom at each service, different pieces boing given with credit to the performers, and to the conductor, who has unquestionably taken great pains to bring tho vooalists and instrumentalists to such a high state of efficiency as _ that_ attained. At tho morning soryico Miss Hosking sang tho solo in "My soul wnitoth for tho Lord," whilst in the afternoou Mr A. Coadvery creditably rendored tho bass solo in " He that dwelleth."

On Tuesday tho anniversary soiree will be held, whilst tho occasion will! serve an oxtra purpose—naraoly, a public welcome to tho Rov. J. Sorpoll. After tea tho usual meeting will bo "hold, when addresses will be given by local ministers and other friends,