GERALDINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 2 May 1927, Page 4

GERALDINE.

(From our own Correspondent.) CHURCH JUBILEE. A reunion banqiicT was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on lhuisday evening, in connection with the ■Methodist Church jubilee celebrations. The Rev. A. C. Lawry, chairman ot tho district, presided, and supporting him were Revs. W. Laycock, H. Lord, J C. Madill, Mr G. Loach, MolUames Lawry, Haycock, Pizzey, Grayburn, The°'proceedings opened with the Doxology, “The King,” and the National Anthem. . Apologies for absence were read from the Revs. C. P. Hunt, D. Dudley, and J Feathcrston, former ministers of tlio Geraldine circuit, and Rev. H. 1 urclias, vicar of Geraldine, wrote expressing regret at his unavoidable absence, and sent best wishes. i » Tho toast of tho ‘‘Methodist Church was proposed by Rev. W. Layeock, who said he could go back 44 years to his college days at Auckland. In the old days wages were low, work often scarce, and difficulties many, yot tho Church had been built up. The Methodist Church throughout the world, of which they were a part, was reckoned amongst the greatest of Protestant churches. Men like Dr. Dale, Lord Morley, and Richard Greene had not been slow to declare that Methodism had done more to revive other churches than they were aware of. It was a democratic church. Let them be expectant for a gracious revival, tliiuk more kindly and have a little more forbearance, and they would be further honoured of God. Tlio Revs. H. Ford and A. C. Lawry briefly responded. Tho former remarked that the president of the Now Zealand Conference had local ties, and for a comparatively young man, had done very well in scholastic research and kindred work. New Zealand Methodism was necessarily like other branches of religious, social and political life —in its youthful stages. The older lands had history at the back of them; this land had yet its history to make. If they built wisely and well, the Divine blessing would not be withheld.

The Rev. A. C. Lawry said ho could claim association with the early days of colonial Methodism, _ having been one of the early missionaries. Ho trusted that there might be, in days to come, greater achievement and unity of purpose amongst the Christian churches. The toast of “Sister Churches” was proposed by tho chairman, and was responded to by the Rev. J. D. Madill. The “Pioneers and Early Members of the Local Church” was proposed by Mr Loach, and responded to by Messrs R. Hammond, J. Prouting, E. H. Logan and J. M. Sutherland. Mr Hammond went back fifty years. Geraldine was linked with Ashburton in those days. Geraldine ho regarded as his home, although ho now lived some miles away. He whs married at Geraldine fifty years ago by a Primitive Methodist, Rev. Joseph "Sharpe.

Mr Jorn Prouting said he arrived at Geraldine in 1874. He remembered the services in the school, and called to mind the names of Huffey, Caleb, Sherratt, and Bradley. In 1875 a little church was built, costing £250. Mr J. Smith and Mr W. Fly and Mr George Ward were workers at that time, and Mr Maslin. Fifty pounds was raised for a trust fund. He remembered the early ministers—Revs. Sharpe and Sadler. Mr E. H.. Logan said he had been there 49 years, and had great admira-

tion for the local preachers and their unselfish work. They had had somo fine ministers, and lie mentioned the Revs. J. A. Sharpe and others. Messrs Dean, Huffey, W. Smith and Maalm were local preachers, and William Steward, of Orari, had done good work here. The late Mr Colin McKenzie was also mentioned. The late Mrs Prouting had been organist for some years, and Messrs Ellery and Sherratt were spoken of in connection with former church workers. Mr J. M. Sutherland gave reminiscences covering a period of 44 years. Ho saw old friends again that night after many years. “Home and Foreign Missions” was proposed by Mr Grayburn senr., who. said his mind went back to early boyhood, when his interest was kindled in mission work in the Ohl Land. He w r as an old man now, but his missionary interests had not diminished. Messrs W. Henry and Simpson responded. “Present Members and Adherents,” “Various Departments of the Church,” “The Ladies of the Church” were also honemred. The organ used fifty years ago played at the' church services.

During the evening the following items were rendered: —Songs by Messrs B. Logan, B. Heaton, W. Woolhouse, Miss Hughes accompanying. Messrs Wallacli and Neutze gave recitations, and Mr J. F; Cliff violin s.’los. Several hymns were also sung, the Oiganist, Mr B. Logan, accompanying. A jubilee cake was handed iound during the evening, and Mrs Lawry handed Mrs Pizzey a knife to cut it w : th.