METHVEN—RANCITATA CHURCH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1900, 24 July 1888, Page 3

METHVEN— RANCITATA CHURCH.

. + 1 The Committee of the various districts oonstitating this ministerial charge have resolved to procoed with the buildings most required for the effective conduct of the work, at an early data. A church is urgently needed at Methven and toward this the local Committee have nearly £100 j already m hand and further amounts promised, A sits has been generdDsly given by a friend m this distriot, and it is I expeoted that the ohuroh will be boilt within a few months. The long talked of Manse for this group of districts is likely at last to become an accomplished fact. About nine months ago, when the congregation were expeotlng to get a minister, who did not oome, a great effect was put forth towards tho immediate ereotlon of the Manse, and subscriptions were promised In tfethven ' and some of the other distriote for the ; purpose. Since then the matter has been left m abeyance until at a recent meeting of the Central Committee, It was felt that something must be done, and tbe work put m hand as soon &s possible. The several Com mil tees were Instraated to put the matter before the people aooording to resolutions already made and subscriptions are now being taken up m tha several districts. Slnoe tho arrival of the Rev W . Flrl »y---son three months ago, great progress haa beea made In many respects. There , are now three services each Sabbath Instead of two formerly ; there are four different week-ni^ht services eaoh week m one loolity or snother, besides the meeting so Ion? and ably conducted by Mr Wallace at Alford Forest and ln other ways signs of progress are being exhibited. Laat month the sacrament of the Lord's snpper was dlßjreneed st five of the centres, and at the laßt of these It was announced, that the number of members present altogether wsb sixty-eight of whom only eight were members of other denominations and fifteen of the. remaining sixty had communioated for the fl st time. 1 The attendance at the Sabbath services have also been very good of late.