TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 200, 27 August 1935, Page 3

TAIHAPE

METHODIST CHURCH. FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY. A public thanksgiving service waheld in the Town liall on .Sundav after noon to mark the 40th anniversary of the Taihape .Methodist Church. The preacher was Rev. Arthur Hopper who conducted the lirst service in Taihape 40 years ago. His Worship the Mayor (.Mr. B. H. de Lautour) presided, and associated with him on the platform in addition Io the Rev. Air. Hopper, were Rev. F. C. Copeland (Methodist minister at i'aihape 30 years ago and present chair .inn of l ie district). Rev. G. 11. Good man, Adjutant A. W. Barnes and Crs. •Mac Dim mid, WiJsher ami Bo waler. I There was a good attendance of the public. i’lie Mayor said that 40 years had passed since Rev. Air. Hopper had ton ducted the lirst service in I’aihape in connection with the Alethodist Church. Forty years was a long way to look back and Taihape was a wild place in those days. The work of the Methodist Church had been going on smoothly and satisfactorily since 1895 and much progress had been made and much good work accomplished. “You have with you to-day Rev. Arthur Hopper, the original Alethodist Church minister at Taihape, and Rev. F. C. Copeland, who was here 30 years ago. These two reverend gentlemen and their successors have made the Methodist Church what it is to-day and I hope that the church will continue to progress,’ 1 concluded the Mayor. Rev. G. H. Goodman, the present Methodist minister at Taihape, took the opportunity of thanking the Mayor and councillors for their attendance and also expressed his gratitude to the Taihape Municipal Baud for providing the music for tue service. He had always found the band only too willing to assist at any function or service and he was very grateful. He was also pleased to see the Utiku Girl Guides present and considered that they deserved special mention for coming all the way from Utiku to attend the service. The speaker went on to say that the Alethodist Church was very pleased to have its pioneer minister, Rev. Mr. Hopper, and Rev. Mr. Copeland present .to participate in the 40th anniversary celebrations. Both had rendered excellent service in the early days and would always be remembered for their good work. Air. Copeland was largely instrumental in the building of the beautiful church in which members of the Alethodist Church worship to-day. A big programme had been arranged to mark the *Oth anniversary and he hoped that the celebrations would be a real thanksgiving to God for His mercy. An inspiring address was given by Rev. Arthur Hopper, who said that he was delighted to be present for the 40th anniversary celebrations and considered it a privilege to be associated with the Alayor and others on the platform. The speaker went on to say that he was pleased to meet Rev. Air. Copeland who was the present chairman of the district and a well-known dignitary of the Alethodist Church. Rev. Air. Goodman was one of the most promising

young ministers the church had ever Known. In continuation, Bev. Mr. Hopper remarked that he had been associated with Dr. Mae Diarmid in war service. I The speaker was glad to see familiar ; faces in the congregation and would be pleased to renew friendships formed 4(J years ago. The pioneer minister of the Methodist Church in Taihape preached an inspiring sermon in which he dealt with the place of the church in the world to-day, the message of the church, and • tno work of the church. The preacher added that the church i was at the back of every fine moveI meat in the world to-day and kept life • clean and wholesome. It did not mati ter how much money a person had, or what his politics were, or whether he had plenty of business acumen. If ,he were outside the church of Christ he might as well be out of the world. Kingdom and thrones had tottered and fallen during the past 20 years, but the United Kingdom was more secure than ever because it believed in the : Kingdom of God, concluded Mr. Hop- ! P er - Well-known hymns were sung at I; appropriate intervals during the ' thanksgiving service, the singing being J led by the Taihape Municipal Band, i under the baton of Mr. R. Montgomery. Prayers were offered by Bev. F. C. Copeland, while a lesson from Scripture was read by Adjutant Barnes. A most I impressive and very beautiful service i concluded with the singing of the Na- | tionai Anthem, after the benediction 1 i had been pronounced by Rev. Copeland i A family service was held in the . Methodist Church in the morning, the preacher being Rev. Arthur Hopper. I An evening service, known* as “Everybody’s Service,” was also held, | the preacher being Rev. Copeland.

| Both serxices were well attended. REPRESENTATIVE FOOTBALL TAIHAPE v. RUAPEHU A representative Rugby match between Taihape and Ruapehu will be played at Taihape on Saturday, August 31. The following team has been selected to represent Taihape: Kull back.—J. Bradley. Tin v quarters: Hall, Hckeuui, Col I • •« 2 ‘ths; F. Woodhead, W. 1 h:»ni|i,-on. IIalf ’• buck.-—F. Thomson. ii< it row; Murphy, Spooner, Mis sen. Middle row: H. Henery, Boon, C. Derbidge, Grove. Ba<-k row : D. Derbidgc. Reserves: .1. Jiaukawa (backs), Clinton and Gregory (forwards). GENERAL NEWS An advertisement appears in this issue in connection with the big amateur boxing tourney to be held in lhe Town Hall to-morrow night (Wednes • day). The tourney promises to be one of the best ever held in Taihape and many outside competitors will be par ticipating. All Taihape should be i there to see the fun. The death has occurred of a pioneer 11 scttlci c-f the Taihape district in the t

person of Air. Martin Swenson, of Ngawaka. Deceased was well known and highly respected and widespread regret will be. felt at his passing. He was 94 years of age. The funeral will be held at Taihapc to-day (Tuesday) at - p.m.