CHURCH MEETING.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 2, 27 October 1887, Page 2

CHURCH MEETING.

The general meeting of Church members convened by [notice nnd advertisement. was held in St George’s Church Schoolroom on Tuesday evening, but despite the fact of the weather being every riling desirab’e, the meeting was but poorly attended, a circumstance winch does not reflect greatly to tho credit- of Church members. and endorsed to a. great extent our remarks that tbo Ihv Mr Clarke lias some up-hill work boro e him in gathering his flock together again. Alter waiting about half an hour be-

vend the advertised time, the Eov Mr Clarhe opened tiro meeting with prayer and the minutes of former meetings were read and confirmed. Loiter from Mr Wray was read resigning Iris posi lion ou the vestry. Mr Clarice then said that bHoro gc.xng into general business lie should like to say a few words to those present, but regretted there were not more there Ho very much regretted Hint since Iris arrival hero ho had been laid up with sickness, and had, therefore, been unable to visit any members of tho Church, or indeed to go about at alb He hoped now, however, soon to bo able to enter fully upon his duties. He had found that Church matters were very much disorganised, but he did not fool downhearted ou that occount, he did not know anything about this place, as yet, but he did know that in other places petty jealousies were often permitted to interfere very greatly with tho benefits of Church work, and he trusted that this might not be tho case here, but that all would work together in unity for the benefit of their Church. He had found also at times persons promised,and then backed out. This was another great wrong, any person making a promise ought to consider it his sacred duty to cany it out. The Church had Wardens and Vestrymen, and their duties were very clearly laid down by tho Hynod, but it was far from necessary to bo either W ardeu or Vestryman to help forward Church work. Every church member could do this: ind lu | hoped also that every member would. He hud found ou coming hero, that there was a large deb: on tho Church, much larger than he had expected, and, as at present, tho need of retrenchment was felt everywhere, he thought it should be practiced to the utmost in church matters, at any rate until the debt was paid off, as he did not consider a Church had anymore rigid to be in debt, than individual, and thejutmost exertion should be made to get it out of debt at the earliest possible moment. Ho would only add one word on personal matters. He had come to labour amongst them, and God being willing, was prepared to devote his whole body and mind to his work, and ho hoped for success. He was most favourably impressed with tho district so far, and with the groat kindness with which ho had met since Ins arrival. His actions would, no doubt, be criticised, possibly had boon so already. but, God helping him, he should do his best, and he imped any faultfinders would come direct to him to tell him of his faults in a friendly way, (us he preferred being told of Ids faults by a friend), and judge him as favourably as possible. Ho would now announce to tlmm, that Mr E, C. Horner had consented to act as'Curaio's Warden for tho current year, and (ho duty of the mooting Avas to elect a People's Ward; u.

Ou tho motion of Mr (I. I). Hamerton, seconded by* Mr T. E, Ilamerton, Mr Christie was elected People’s Warden Mr Jollie was elected Anditoi, vice Mr Ea wkuer, resigned. In reply to a question, Mr Horner stated that tilo subscriptions promised lo the tenoral church fund were Patoa, £B4 ; Uhivorley, £SO. Mr Horner proposed, and Mr G. D. Ilamerton seconded, “ That hearty votes of thanks be accorded to Mrs Jollie and Mrs Wybonrne for their strenuous exertions in obtainingl promises of subscriptions lo enable the district to obraia tho services of a clergyman*” Mr Ilamerton in seconding the resolution spoke most eulogistically of tho successful efforts made by Mesdaraes Jollie and Wybonrne, to whom, really, was due the presonce| at that moment, of a resident minister.

Mr Finnerty then moved, “ That this meeting cordially welcome the Rev. A. P Clarko and Mrs Clarke to this district, and trust that under Providence every success will attend their efforts to advance our church,” and in speaking to tho motion said it had long been a matter of regret that .this district had been without an Episcopalian clergyman,and bo trusted that now that one was in charge, tho church members would all work in unity, and assist to their utmost, the advancement of Church matters in the district. (Seconded by* Mr Brown,[and carried by* acclamation.—Tbo Rev. Mr Clarke briefly replied, and thanked all present for their kindly feeling, and assured them that both Mi;,s Clarko and himself were much pleased with what they had so far seen of the place, and the resolution just passed gave him groat encouragement, and he had no doubt they* should work harmoniously together, and he trusted that God being willing they* would bo spared to labour with and amongst them for a long time to come, A vote of thanks to tho chair, closed the business, and singing the Doxology brought tho mooting to a dose.