WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Timaru Herald, Volume X, Issue 413, 12 May 1869, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

It is with satisfaction we record the opening of the first place of worship m the district of Temuka. Some four or five months ago a meeting was called by the Rev. Mr Bull. Wesleyan minister, Tim:iru, at the house of Mr Job Brown, Temuka, at which a Committee was formed, and subscription lists given to each of the members of the Committee to endeavour to raise funds for the erection of a church ; and, at their next meeting, the results were of such an encouraging nature that it was resolved to call for tenders, and commence building at once m accordance with plans and specifications prepared by Mr Upton. The building is a very neat one, 26ft by 21ft, with 12ft studs ; and it has ruther an imposing tower, 43ft high from the foundation. It is erected on the main South Road, on a section given by Mr Hewlings, situated about 150 yards north of the township of lemuka. The chapel, though not quite completed, was opened for divine service on Sunday last. The Rev R. Bavin preached m the morning and afternoon, and the Rev G. Barclay, the Presbyterian minister of Timaru, m the evening. The latter services were well attended, and collections were made on each occasion on behalf of the building fund. On the evening of the next day, Monday, a tea and public meeting were held m the chapel. About 160 persons sat down to tea, the tables of which were given gratuitously by the ladies of the district, who presided at them. After the tables were removed, the building soon became uncomfortably crowded, and many were unable to gain admittance. The public meeting was opened by prayer and singing, after which, The Rev. Mr Bavin, who occupied the chair, said he could not but express a deep sense of gratitude to Almighty God for the occasion on which they were met. Providence had smiled upon them, for the opening of the church had been a decided success, and a greater one than had been anticipated by the most sanguine of its promoters, and he was sure this rejoicing was more fully realized by those who had laboured the hardest. He observed he should not detain them with any lengthened speech, as he was anxious that the public should hear the Treasurer's report. Mr Job Brown, Treasurer, said that it was with great pleasure he responded to the call, as he had a pleasant duty to perform ; after making some remarks upon the notoriety of the populous district of Temuka being without a place of worship until the present time, he proceeded with his financial statement, which showed that Mrs Gibson had collected £18 13s ; Mr Brown, £24 13s 6d ; Mr Ellis £18 ; Mr Gardner, £10 4a 6d ; Mr Morrison, £7 5s ; and Mr White, £7 10 ; making a total of £86 6s, besides collections after services amounting to £10 5s Bd, and £14 from the proceeds of the tea, which made their total receipts about £110 10s. The expenditure, including the cost af erection, timbsr, lamp*,

<£c., amounted to £125, thus lea-ring a deficiency of £14 10s, which he was sure -would not long remain. The Rev. Mr Bavin then remarked some of those present would probably notice that no mention had been made as to the cost of the land ; he was happy to inform those unacquainted with the fact, that the land had been given by the Mayor of Timaru, Mr Hewlings, and he thought the meeting should recognise, at this stage of the programme, the eift, by according a hearty Tote of thanks to that gentleman. Mr Brown proposed, and Mr Ellis seconded a rote of thanks, which was energetically responded to. The Ret. Mr Bavin then went on to say that he hoped the Committee, who had accomplished so much, would be stimulated to further efforts, and he hoped they would try and get the building lined before the winter set m, and complete the work taken m hand by them. Why, he asked, were they assembled together on such an occasion ? Because, m the first place, he said, we recognise the necessity m men generally, and m the people of Temuka m particular, for religion, both morally, socially, and physically. Secondly, because he believed that the Gospel of Christ as contained m the Bible, and preached by them, alone could meet that necessity. He thought that it was well for the progress of the Church of Christ that denominations should exist ; but although not at all bigoted, he was thankful that he belonged to the Wesleyan body from his youth, and his early training had fostered this lovo for Wesleyanism. As he advanced m years and road the history of that Church, which, at its formation, 130 years ago, was only a section m a Church, but now a whole Church, having a complete church organization and numbering between eleven and twelve million adherents, the opinions of his early years had bren strengthened, and he loved that Church more ardently than ever. It did not profess to be a perfect Church, but his regard for it would continue so long as it would abide faithful, aud he considered that its history established tho validity of its claims to be a successful Church, and a section of the great Church of Christ. Mr DOyly and several other gentlemen from Timaru, and those belonging to tho district.'spoke, but onjaccount of many of those present having come from a distance, the meeting was brought to an early closo. Mr John Hayhurst proposed a vote of thanks to the Indies who had provided tho tea, aud also to the committee who had been so energetic m canvassing for subscriptions. Mr Hayhurst said when he arrived m Teinuka the other day, after a short absence m the old country, he noticed that m the meantime a church had been erected, and concluded it was one which had been talked of for the lnst three years, but was surprised on hum-ing it had been erected by the Wesleyan body, he not having heard anything of their intention to build a church until he saw it erected. Ho looked upon ov?ry settlement founded by Englishmen as not being thoroughly civilized until a building had bi % en erected for the preaching of the Gospel, and considered tliat this building was v favourable 'ri^ii of the times. He would strongly uvi^p upon the Wesleynn body the desirability of establishing at once v Sunday school m connection with the Church, which would afford the mciiiia of instruction to tho children of that body, and do much towards binding them together. Thu vote of thanks was seconded by Mr Anderson. A vote of thnnfcs was also passed to the choir of the Timuru Wesleyan Church. Before closing the meeting, the Rev Mr Buvin stated that a Sunday school would bo ln-ld every Sunday morning at ten o'clock, which he hoped would be well attended. Ue also informed the meeting that a public meeting would be held every Sunday evening at half-past six o'clock. The meeting broke up about half-past nine o'clock. Yesterday afternoon a children's treat was given m the chapel.