MEETINGS IN CONNECTION with WESLEYAN CHURCH. QUARTERLY MEETING.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 223, 8 October 1887, Page 2

MEETINGS IN CONNECTION with WESLEYAN CHURCH. QUARTERLY MEETING.

The quarterly meeting of the Upper Thames Circuit of the Wesleyan Church was held at Te Aroha on Wednesday afternoon List, Rev. S. Lawry, resident minister, presiding. Thcio were present : Rev. R. Bavin (Onelmnga), Messrs. W. J. Elliott (Home Missionary), Phillips junr,, Tetley, Ross, James, 'Roberts, -Ddvo'y and others. The balance sheet, which showod a small deficit for the quarter, was adopted as read. Reports respecting the various Sunday schools were of a satisfactory character. II wiw unanimously resolved that the services of Mr W. J. Elliott, Home Missionary (htationed at

tlir P.ieioa end of tlio circuit) bo retained for another three months al least ; the general desire expressed being that an increjiHed income might permit of hi« services being retained for a much longer period, as the fid vantages re^ultinjj; from having an n-mstant to the resident minister, wero very groat. A very cordial and hearty invitation to Rev Mr L-iwry to remain a second year in the circuit was carried unanimously, and accepted by Mr Lawry ; who f>aid he had no winh 'to leave although he had received a pressing invit'ltion from nnotjier circuit, in tho event of liia deHiring a change. Unv. i\lr Uiiviu Hiiid he took a great interest in To Aroha and the prosperity of its church, and felt vory grateful when lie heard another ciriMiif, (which could offer greater inducements in some respects, and much better remuneration than tho Upper Thames could afford jußt now) had «ent an invita r tion to Key. Mr La wry, to find that M Lawry, proposed remaining on for unothe year. He felt satisfied matters would be placed on a better footing than thej had been, and that groat good would result. Several of the members of the meeting expressed the gratification it afforded them to know Mr Lawry was likely to icinain.

ANNUAL MEETING HOME MISSION SODIETY. Tim annual meeting in connection with the Wesley an Home Mission ami Church Sustentation Fund wis held in tho To Aroha Wesleyan Church, on Wednesday ovening last, Mr J. llott in tho chtii r. The meeting having been opened in tho manner u^uul on such occa toons, the chairman, after a few general general remarks respecting the importance of the woik carried ou by means of this fund, called upon Rev Mr Lawry to address the meeting. In the course of his address Mr Lawry said it was very satisfactory to know that in spite of the depression which pO generally prevai'ed throughout the Colony the income of the fund for the past year amuonted to £2,828 which was considerably in excess of the amount realised during any previous year. He also gare much information of a gonoral and interesting character. The Rev Mr Bavin, who wes present as deputation, delivered a most interesting addross.intormingled with several amusing anecdotes ; in tho course of which he touched briefly on the various blanches of Christian work either entirely carried on, or greatly assisted by means of this fund ; and referred specially to the work being done amongst the Natives, and also to the Scandinavian mission in the Wellington district. Mr \V. J. Elliott also addressed the meeting, and in the course of his remarks said he had received imuh to encourage him in his work, since he hul been stationed at Paeroa. At intervals during the evening three anthems were rendered by the choir, also a solo with chorus. At the close of the meeting tho chairman expressed the gratification it afforded him to hear they wore likely to have Rev. Mr Lawry Btatioued at Ta Aroha for another year, and ho could confidently atato the announcement would be received with lunch satisfaction throughout the circuit, as Mr Lawry had won the respect and esteem of the people since ho ho had come amongst them and in him they recognised a whole hoaited servant of God. After the usu.il votes of thanks etc. the meeting was closed by liev Mr Lawry pronouncing the benediction.