METHODIST LOCAL PREACHERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18489, 10 February 1930, Page 3

METHODIST LOCAL PREACHERS.

ENTERTAINED AT JUBILEE SOCIAL. A somewhat unique social gathering, arranged by the local preachers of the Timaru Circuit of the Methodist Church, to honour three of their number who have given long and faithful service, was held in the Wesley Hall on Thursday evening. There was a good attendance of member and friends from all parts of the Circuit, which includes, besides Timaru and suburbs, quite a number of country districts. The hall was decorated artistically by the ladies with a profusion of flowers. The Rev. H. T. Peat occupied the chair, and the proceedings, which were very hearty throughout, opened with the singing of “Old Hundredth,” and prayer by the Rev. P. I. Cooke. Next followed a short musical programme, to which the following performers contributed: —Mesdames McPhedran and Parker, Rev. P. Cooke, Mr Matthews. Mr Wilfred Tank played the accompaniments. Miss L. Rissell gave a humorous recitation with her usual dramatic skill. The guests of the evening were Mr and Mrs Allan Stead, Mr and Mrs H. H. Brown, Mr and Mrs J. Workman. The function was arranged to coincide with Mr Stead’s 70th birthday, and also to mark the completion of his 50 years’ service as a local preacher. Mr H. H. Brown has completed 52 years’ service, while Mr Workman has over 60 years to his credit in connection with two churches. Mr T. C. Ashworth, who is a candidate for the ministry, also was present. The chairman stated that no local preacher need ever apologise for the glorious message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which he is commissioned to deliver. He made appreciative reference to the valuable assistance given to the Methodist" Church by their local preachers. Although the total number of ministers in the whole Dominion was only 249, regular Sunday services are maintained at 900 preaching stations. It would thus be sejn that the good influence of the Church is greatly extended by means of the loyal 'help of 751 lay preachers. The chairman eulogised the wives of the local preachers for their self-denial in cooperating with their husbands in this important work. Messrs Stead, Brown and Workman would later receive a certificate which it had been arranged should in future be presented to those local preachers who have attained their jubilee of service for the Church. The chairman then presented Mr Stead with a. cheque subscribed by his

friends in the Timaru Circuit. The ladies presented Mesdames Stead, Brown and Workman with beautiful bouquets.

In replying, Mr Stead thanked his friends for the great honour they had done him that evening, and gave a very interesting account of his work in various districts. While he had received kindness and help from many quarters, he wished to acknowledge particularly the help he had received from three persons. He had had the influence of a good mother;, his spiritual father was the late Mr John Wesney, of Invercargill; and his wife had throughout his career loyally assisted him. He recounted many interesting experiences of his work in Invercargill, Palmerston North and Tapanui, where he was a home missionary, and in the Timaru Circuit. Mr H. H. Brown, in replying for himself and Mr Workman, gave a bright account of his varied experiences as a local preacher in England, Queensland, Victoria, and New Zealand. One great pleasure that he had on coming to Timaru Circuit was that he could renew the close friendship he had previously formed with Mr Stead in Southland.

Reference was made also to the fact that Mr Stead had found time to give useful service on public bodies. He was for some years chairman of the Timaru Main School Committee, and is now chairman of the Technical College Board.

Supper was afterwards provided by the ladies, whose arrangements were very complete, and greatly helped to make the function an undoubted success in every way.