UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume 2, Issue 129, 6 December 1879, Page 3

UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

The anniversary of the Methodist Church, AVaipawa, was celebrated on Tuesday, the 2nd inst. The ceremonies consisted of a tea meeting, in tho Oddfellow’s Hall, and a public meeting, held in tho church, at which addresses were delivered by the local clergy and others. The tables in the Hall were tastefully arranged and decorated with flowers. There was an ample Bupply of fruit, confectionery, and solid eatables. In short, the whole arrangement in the hall reflected the highest credit on the following ladies who presided on tho occassion Mesdames Moore, Halse, Wilkinson, Johnson, Blank, Meredith, Mildon, Westmoreland, and Misses Ayson and Sebley. Tea being finished, the company in small but merry groups retired to the church. The Rev. H. R. AVilkinson occupied the chair, and Mr Arrow presided at the harmonium The choir sang some sacred selections very efficiently during the evening. The chairman, in a few felicitous remarks, opened the proceedings, and then called upon the Rev. R. Fraser to address the meeting. The subject of Mr Fraser’s remarks was the elements of success in congregational work. AVith masterly hand ho sketched out the features which combine within the province of a congregation’s work to make it a successful and useful body. The address was practical and impressive. The Rev. C. Penny next addressed the meeting on general and broad questions of church polity. The rev. gentleman was free apd fervent in his address, and was listened to with great attention.

The Rev. J. U. Spence Bpoke of the helps and hindrances in Christian work. He spoke in a practical and feeling manner on the subject. His address was forcible, and throughout interspersed with appropriate illustrations.

Mr Wilson also addressed the meeting in his usual humorous style. In conclusion ho proposed the following votes of thanks :—To the ladies, the speakers, Mr Arrow, tho choir, tho cnairman, and all others who by direct exertion contributed to the success of the anniversary. The chairman said that the thanks of the meeting were due to Mr H. J. Baker for his handsome contribution of flowers, and for supplying the timber for the tables in the hall.

It need hardly be said that these votes of thanks were carriei with enthusiastic demonstrations.