MOTUEKA WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 272, 17 November 1874, Page 2

MOTUEKA WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Sermons in connection witb the anniversary of this church were preached on Sunday last, by the R-jv. G. S. Harper, of Blenheim, to goo I congregations. On Monday, the p.s. Lady Barkly, which had been chartered for tbe occasion, left Nelson at 9 15 a.m., conveying a goodly number of excursionists, arriving at Motueka at noon - A cold luncheon was provided for those who had come from a distance, and at five o'clock the public tea took place. This was a decided success, the tables haviog to be cleared no less than four times. Tbe public meeting held afterwards was also crowded to excess, indeed many were unable to obtain sitting room. After singing, and prayer offered by the Rev. W. Kealt, tbe cbair was taken by Mr J. Harkness, of Richmond, who complimented the congregation on tha creditable structure they had succeeded in raising, and contrasted it with the former place of worship, through the roof of which the preacher could oftea discern the stars. The choir sang "How beautiful upon the mountains," &c. The Rev. W. B. Marten, pastor of (he church, expressed gratitude to the Great Master for the success which had attended their labors during the year, and read the followiog balance sheet, made up to the end of September : —

The choir sang --Pilgrims of the Night." Ihe Rev. J. H. Simmonds, who has recently returned from the Fij ? , gave a lengthy and interesting address on the primitive religion, manners and cua> toms of ihe natives of those islands, illustrating his remarks by stirring anecdotes; and showing the great work that had been accomplished by the missionaries, their ready acceptance of the Christian religion, and the large contributions made by them to promote the evangelisation of the more distant aod scattered Islands. The choir sang " Beautiful land of Rest." The Rev. W. Kball, of Richmond, dwelt on the power of moral influence, and complimented the people on the advancement made by them in financial as well as spiritual affairs, aod the interest they had taken in furthering the work of the Church. Mr J. Hooper referred to the early times of Methodism in Motueka. and eulogised the pioneers for the selfdenial and labor exercised by them in founding the church in the district. The choir sang " Not lost, but gone before." Mr G. S. Harpeb, of Blenheim, expressed the joy he experienced in meeting brethren whom he had not seen for many years. He spoke io glowing terms of the present gathering of Christians representing the various denominations, who recognized, as head of the Church, Christ aod Christ alone ; exhorted them to do away with sectarian jealousies, &c, and urged the young men to prepare themselves, that in future they might occupy the places iv the Church of those wbo are passing away. After several votes of thanks had been passed, the meeting closed with singing and prayer. The proceeds of tbis anniversary, consisting of Fabbath Collections... ..£lB 9 Proceeds of Tea 16 4 0 Collecti jr.P at Public Meeting 2 8 3 Total . . . . £20 I 0 are to be devoted towards the expense of painting the church, the total amount required being £21,

INCOME. £ 8. d. Balance in hand from anniversary, 1873 0 15 0 Seat rents from old Church ... 115 8 S -at rents from new Church .. 13 7 6 Seat rents from Mr Heath ... 20 0 0 27 lbs nails at 4d per pound ... 0 9 0 Proceeds of Gift Auction ... 21 14 4 Proceeds of Tea Meeting 9 6 0 Donations 7 6 11 £74 14 5 Exr&KDITUBE. £ s. d. Accommodation for Preachers 0 10 0 Injuring Church for £200 ... 2 0 0 Paid Mr Parker for alterations to Rostrum 3 0 0 Paid Mr Parker for Seats ... 20 o o j Vo eto Quarter Board, March 21 015 6 Paid for cleaning Church ... 4 5 8 \ Sundries, oil, &c 1 13 7 j Mr Glover's account 3 10 Mr Alexander's account 5 10 10 Interest 14 0 0 Balance 19 18 4 £74 14 5