METHODIST CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4574, 17 November 1875, Page 2

METHODIST CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Last evening the annual tea and public meeting in connection with the Sydney-street Primitive Methodist Church were held. To the tea a large number sat down, and after tea there was a very successful public meeting, which was opened by singing and prayer. The Rev. Mr. Ward, pastor of the church, occupied the chair, and beside him were the Rev. Messrs. Paterson, Ogg, and Dewsbury, and Mr. Nixon. After a few opening remarks, he called upon Mr. Pisher, who read the following KEPOKT. It is with pleasure that we present a report of our work and finances for another year. Yet it is not with a feeling of complacency that we have done all we could ; but with a sentiment of gratitude, that we are still permitted to fill a place in our Master’s service, and that we are still favored with His presence and blessing. Six years ago this church was built; at that time the debt, including £IOO remaining on the old chapel, was £6OO. Each year we have paid off £SO; so that at the close of the present year the sum borrowed will be reduced to £3OO. Our friends at Timaru have just held a bazaar by which they have cleared £250. It we could do the same next year, our church debt would be hardly seen at the next anniversary. We should really like to try; for the older we grow the less we like debts on churches. Some who have mingled with ns from year to year at our church anniversaries have been lately removed by death, and of their eternal happiness we have no doubt. A large number of persons who worshipped with us here are located on the Te Aro side of our city, and have attached themselves to our Webbstreet Church, where increased accommodation is much needed; and not a few have left us for distant parts of the colony. But others have taken their places: and the Word of God has often free course among us, causing times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Grateful for the showers of blessing which have fallen upon us during the year, we would humble ourselves before God. and ask for a larger outpouring of His Holy Spirit. “ Awake, awake, put on strength, oh, arm of the Lord ; awake, as in the ancient days for nothing can satisfy us less than a revival of spiritual and converting religion. The following is a copy of the treasurer's accounts for this year:— Db. £ s. d. Balance in hand last year 22 2 Net proceeds of last anniversary .. .. 23 2 O' Kent of schoolroom 14 12 0 Seat rents and part of Sabbath collections voted to trust fund : 67 16 8 Ladies’ sewing meetings 30 10 10 Evening entertainment 9 16 2 Sundries 0 8 7 Remainder of Sabbath collections devoted to ministers’ salary. Ac. 67* 7 2 Sustentation fund .. .. .. 51 11 9 For travelling expenses 5 9 6 Balance deficient, towards which the proceeds of this anniversary will be devoted 26 6 2 £2S9 3 0 Cb. £ s. d. Gas and lighting IS 0 8 Painting church and varnishing pulpit .. 47 0 0 Interest on money borrowed .. .. .. 27 2 6 Paid off church debt 60 0 0 Cleaning expenses 12 0 0 Repairs .., 450 Altering gas pipes •• 0 0 0 Insurance 815 1 Sundries 1 11 4 Paid into quarterly meetings in aid of ministers’salaries and the working of the station 114 8 5 £289 3 0 To the foregoing may be added £211125., raised at Webb-stroet, making the total amount received this year in Wellington for our denominational purposes to be £474 Bs. lOd. But this does not include the amounts raised for missionary purposes and Sunday schools, nor the income from the country parts of the station. , . We cannot conclude our report without making special mention of the continued labors of the ladies, whose sewing meetings and sales have brought in more than £3O; and Including nearly £4O brought in last year, the Ingenuity and nimble fingers of our lady friends have resulted in more than £7O for the last two years. Respectfully asking that each and all will help at the collection this evening to meet the £26 6s. 2d. still deficient, and with thanks for all past favors, we close our report. Mr. Nixon, Rev. Mr. Paterson, Rev. Mr, Ogg, and the Rev. Mr. Dewsbury then addressed the meeting on various iuteresting matters, and the choir occasionally sang an anthem very creditably. The meeting closed with singing and prayer.