CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 664, 29 April 1914, Page 5

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

. ♦•>♦♦ ANNUAL PARISHIONERS' MEETING.

The annual parishioners' meeting of St. Luke's Church, which was held in the church hall on Monday evening, as well attended.

! The following address from the vicar was read: —"It was four years agj, early this month, since I came to Te Kuiti, and each year till the last there was some outward mark of progress to speak of at our annual meeting. This year we seem to have barely held our own. The chief reason fcr this was my breakdown at the beginning of last winter. Owing to the kindness of some uf you I was able to have a long rest in the Bay of Islands, and I came back eager to press on with the work. But just when help and encouragement were most needed, there ware only a few ready to give it. Lately we seem to bo regaining lost ground, and especially the back part of the district is more encouraging than it has ever been. And at Otorohanga the people are anxious not only to support their own clergyman, but to farm a separate district. But the great difficulty has been the debt for interest on our church building loans. For while we do not nay the interest due to tho Church Trusts, we cannot expect lib- ' eral help to extend our work in tho backblocks. Feeling this as soon after we came back as passible Mrs Wayne and some members of the Ladies Guild worked very hard to add to the sewing which had been done in our absence, and a bazaar was held, but these efforts were very poorly supported at the time of the sale. Again at Easter at my own expense, I made a special appeal to you for the same object, giving the Easter offerings and liberally to them with a like result. Undaunted by the failure of their former effort, some ladies who really caro for the work of the church, arrange to hold a joinc bszaar at Piu Pio, the proceeds of which are to buy land there and pay interest here. But this effort, however succsesful, cannot now nearly pay all interest due. I want to tell you, too, of the chief reasons why I accepted Waimate North. Every man can do b'-ttor work in a climate that suits him. And lately I have felt my chest again, so a warm climate, and a smaller district, will be more within my strength. And secondly, I cannot feel that the majority cf our church people are willing to support me w Sfiich a wav that I can push on with the wurk 'without serious danger of breaking down again. Nevertheless, if I were as strong as when I came, there is very much that is hopeful about the work. There is the willingness of the people to build a church at Waitanguru, for which a large part of the money is promised. And manv at Pio Pio are anxious for a church anci to have a man stationed there again. And in the whola district there are those thinking of confirmation. It is knowing that in wet cold weather I am unable to taka long rides that has made me feel there ought to be someone here who can keep in closer touch with the backblocks. Again, I feel very keen regret in leaving those who have stood by the church, and in personal service have not spared themselves, and where (ha people as a whole have been so friendly. For the Church of England is, in my sight, not only the mother of England, from which, from her earli?stdiys. history shows u«. she gained the best for thought, life, and true rational greatness. The' first to educate the masses to lake their share in knowledge, and self government, tho first Jo plant religion and agricultural commerce in New Zealand, but also one of the greatest branches of the Church, Christ caree on earth to found, and of which Ho said "I will found My Church," and in and through it I see our Lord fulfilling His purpose. Teaching the Faith, once for all, delivered to tha Sainls. Its faithful members still continuing in that faith, and its fellowship and the breaking of bread and the prayers. And so I feel that all who sarve in her, directly «erve Jesua Christ, her Head, and help to fulfil thi? prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." And now I want to thank the church wardens, the lay readers, the organist, the choir, the Sunday school teachers, and members of the Guild fnr the'ir continued help, to a3k you all to strive earnestly with me in these coming weeks to carry on the work of the church, and that mv successor may ieel he begins his new work wth encnurogemat from you." Tho balance-sheet showing an expenditure of over £607 was submitted and adopted. Tha following officers were appoin ted for the ensuing term: Vicar's Warden, Mr H. Iline; People's Warden, Mr Warmington; Committee, Messrs Mostyn Jones, Simmons, Poutawera. Collings, N. C. Matthew, J. Self, Blackman, Spencer, Cottle, Kldson.

After a considerable amount of discussion concerning the charch debt, the following committee was appointed to go into tho matter of ways and means: —Mesdamo? Hitchcock, Darrow and McGep, and Messrs Mostyn Jones, Simmons, and N. C. Matthew. A resolution of regret at the impending departure of the Rev. E. S. Wayne was passed. On the subject of Bible in State Schools, a resolution reaffirming the request for a referendum was passed.