NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 1, 12 October 1844, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Wesleyan Missionary Society. — Some very interesting services in connection with the above Society, were held in the Wesleyan Chapel, Courtney-street, New Plymouth, on Sunday the 22nd, and Monday the 23rd, ult. Sermons were preached on Sunday, in the morning by the Rev. S. Ironside, and in the evening by the Rev. J. Watkins. And on Monday evening at 7 P.M., a public meeting was held, Josiah Flight, Esq., in the chair. After devotional services, &c, the Rev. H. Turton, minister of the place, read some extracts from the General Report which has just been received. We were glad to learn that the receipts for the year from all sources, had reached the noble sum of £110620, 0, 3 larger than has been raised in any one year by the Society-. Considering the great distress prevalent in many parts of the country, this large income is indeed gratifying. Nevertheless our joy was sobered by the fact that the expenditure had been £112908, 5, 2 thus shewing that the most rigorous exertions would be necessary in order to keep up the existing number of Mission stations, and that beginning any new ones would be out of the question, unless sanctioned by a still further addition to the income. The report also stated that there were 387 Missionaries employed, and 1640 catechists, interpreters, and Dayschool teachers. The number of those in membership with the Church was seated as 101,137 exclusive of scholars in the schools, and regular or occasional hearers. After the reaJiug of the report, the meeting was addressed by the Rev. Messrs. Watkins, Ironsides, and Skevington. Liberal collections were made, and the congregation separated highly delighted with the evenings proceedings.