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1934
7 November 1934
RYLST0NE METHODISM
Enthusiastic Celebrations
FIRST SERVICE 84 YEARS AGO
(From Our Kandos Correspondent)
During the past week Rylstone Methodist congregation has been celebrating the jubilee of the church.
Early in the week the president of the Methodist Conference, the Rev. Silas Bembrick, was officially welcomed by the shire president (Dr. W. R. Darton).
A reunion banquet on Wednesday was attended by more than 100 adherents. Congratulatory messages were received from all parts of the State, including many from past ministers of the circuit, and one from the Premier. The banquet was served by members of Kandos and Rylstone Ladies' Church Aid, and was presided over by the Rev. R. H. Hayes, the present incumbent. Apologies were received from Revs. R. Douglas (Kandos), Naughton (Rylstone), S. Bembrick and John Calvert, the oldest surviving minister who had been in charge of the circuit.
Mr. L. O. Taylor spoke on behalf of those who had attended the church for 50 years or more, recalling many interesting events.
The Rev. Mr. Hayes said that the first Methodist service was held in Rylstone 84 years ago, and it was this service that was being honored, not the jubilee of the Church in Australia.
The Rev. Mr. Curtis, of Mudgee, spoke of the work in Rylstone circuit, which was once included in Mudgee.
The Memorial Hall was packed on Wednesday night, when a concert was given. The Salvation Army band rendered appropriate music, and those who contributed items were: Messrs. W. Cox, H. Agnew, W. Hiscox, A. Cox, Mesdames E. Lennard, W. Cant, M. Williams, Misses M. Palmer, Fredericks, Gwen Harris, the Rev. Mr. McBirnie and Allan Robbins. There were many encores.
Dr. W. P. Chen (Consul-General for China) addressed a large meeting in Angus Hall on Sunday in connection with the celebrations. He spoke at length on Oriental problems, and asked for a better understanding between the two countries, especially in regard to reciprocity of trade. China, he said, had made wonderful progress in recent years, education and irrigation being two major works of importance.
The Army band was in attendance, and the Methodist choir sang a number of anthems1
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