Primitive Methodist Church.

Manawatu Herald, 6 September 1898, Page 3

Primitive Methodist Church.

QUARTERLY TEA AND PUBLIC MEETING. The quarterly tea and public meeting in connection with this Church took place last night in the Methodist Church Schoolroom, and proved to be one of the most successful gatherings held for many years. There was a very large attendance at both tea. and meeting, fully 150 partaking of the ample spread provided, the Circuit fund 9 being considerably augmented thereby. Mr E. Osborne was voted to the chair, in the absence of Mr T. Westwood, and in the course of his opening remarks said that it was not his intention to give a speech at the present time, but would proceed with the musical part of the programme, and before doing so would call on the Rev. Mr Woollass to open the meeting which was done with a prayer. He then sang " The Bridge," and Miss H. Simpson also contributed " What will you do love," both items being well rendered. Mr E. Westwood, in the course of a homely speech said he was very pleased to see such a large gathering present, and more especially so on account of the number from other Churches. He laid special stress on the fact that to advance the Christian cause there must be unity on behalf of individuals and Churches. He emphasised the fact that this work was a most important one, and one which could well engage the attention of the young men and women. The more we worked ' for the advance of truth among men the more we worked for God. It was not for popularity that we worked, but for the advance of $od's Kingdom. He would conclude his remarks by reciting the " Christian Prospect," which was well given. A pianoforte solo by Miss Austin was afterwards given, followed by Miss Howan, who sang " Far Away." Mr H. Blake gave some humorous sketches, and Mrs Woollass sang "The Holy City." . Mr Howan was very pleased to see that such sympathy existed amongst the Churches as was evidenced that night. Although different sects existed, and he believed that it created a healthy condition of things, yet there was no reason why there would not be perfect unity amongst them. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and if we realized this fact the Church of God would progress well. He said it was very pleasing to see the energy that had been put forth to make the meeting such a success, and he prayed that God would bless and foster this unity of spirit amongst all. Miss E. Spring sang " Down by the river side I strayed," and Messrs Woollass and A. Saunders sang the <JueJ " Larboard Watch," which was encored. The chairman here made a few remarks with reference to the working of the envelope system which had been adopted for the last quarter, and spoke ot the success that had attended this, in auguration. He desired to thank those who had been instrumental in bringing the Church into such a good financial position. Mr Woollass said he was very sorry the balance sheet showing the statement of affairs had not been read first as it would have given previous speakers something to work upon, but they had done very well without. He was glad to say that the good returns which were manifested during the last quarter had been kept up, although there had been two Sundays less in the quarter, there had been an increase in returns of £%. The collections for the quarter were £23531 id; subscriptions etc., £7 gs sd; concert, £4 5s od; magazines, 7s 6d; batchelors social. £ 1 15s 6d ; quarterly tea, £$ 2S 6d : conference grant, £5 os od ; collections from Shannon and Moutoa, £4 10 so d; the total for the quarter being £50 15s iod ; and the expenditure £59 8s 4d ; which included a payment of £10 towards the new Parsonage, and left a debit balance of £8 13s 6d. It was satisfactory to find that the ordinary income had met the ordinary expenditure. With reference to other matters outside the financial aspect, it was gratifying to see so many members of the other churches present. It was a sign of the times, and whilst to the end of the chapter we should have sects in the churches there was no reason why we should not have unity amongst them, as we were all working for the same object, purpose md goal. He did not care by what name each were called as long as they were working for their Master, the Christian life should be active and yvital. He believed that the Churches should be the most active organisators that we had. They should bring forth counter attractions, and always have an open door to welcome with sym patby and kindness those that were weak and going to destruction. Hi! oitv went forth to the poor drunkard

and whilst he lived he would never cease to fight against this giant evU of the times. He urged the young men and women to join the ranks in their crusade against evil. He thought it was the highest type of Christian work to war against evil of every sort and in order to usher in a better state of things our forces must be united and may you and I do our part to help Him to bring about that glorious consummation. Mrs Woollass then contributed the last solo of the evening " She wore a wreath of Roses." The Rev. Mr Woollass in closing moved a hearty vote of thanks to those who had helped in the success of the quarterly tea, and to the accompanists, Mrs W. Robinson and Miss L. Austin, (applause), and also to their chairman. Mention must be made of the fact that the tea was provided by Mesdames Woollass, T. Westwood, T. Nye, and E. Osborne, and their efforts in the decorations, etc., were highly satisfactory. The proceedings closed with the Benediction.