WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2724, 13 October 1894, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

At the above church on Wednesday evening the Rev. Mr Morley delivered an address on the Home and Maori Missions. There was a fair attendance. The chair was taken by Mr S. Wright, who, after the customary devotional exercises, briefly referred to the subjectmatter of the evening. He then invited The Rev. Mr Standage to read the report. Before doing bo Mr Standage referred to his first introduction to Temuka some 12 years ago, when he came down upon mission business. During those 12 years great work had been done. In every department the Church had grown rapidly, and he hoped that there was a proportionate spiritual growth. The Home Mission Fund had not, however increased in proportion. Had it done so they would now have had some £4OOO. They were not to be disheartened, because really and truly they were working upon a sounder basis. The purchasing power was now greater, and they were really able to do more with the small fund available. The whole of the money now raised was solely for mission work. The report was a lengthy one, and of an encouraging character. Special attention was drawn to the fact that none were employed who had not given proof of their piety. Referring to the financial position it appeared that the total income for 1892-1893 was, in round numbers, £2226, including a balance of £lOl from the previous year and £336 for certain rents. The actual amount given was £1758. The expenditure amounted to £2693, leaving a deficit of £3BO. To meet this a special effort had been made, which resulted in the raising of £l7O. The estimated revenue for the next year was £2400, and it was probable that at least £2600 would be required. Towards the £1758 raised Temuka contributed £8 13s 2d by means of offertories in church and Sunday school, donations, and collections by children. This was a slight improvement on the amount raised when ho first visited them, but taey must remember that they had already received assistance aud would want more. After brief comment on the report Mr Staudage concluded by urgiug the importance of the fund, and the need of gratitude for work done.

A hymn followed, after which tho chairman called upon The Rey. Mr Morley, the organising secretary, who. was received with applause. tie dealt with the object of the Home Mission Fund at some length. It was organised, he considered, to win New Zealand for Christ. The Wesleyan Church, had peculiar facilities for this wqrk and these facilities left a great obligation upon them. 'With regard to finance there were several ways qi collection -by special services,'collectors, both adults and children, collection boxes I in Sunday schools, etc., missionary boxes, and the Birthday I**? 08 * etc - year [ in Ashburton alone by tho m}PlO!»ary boxes some £ls was raised- Then there was the Birthday League, .which the speaker had introduced in Temuka last year. Each member was pledged on his or her birihday to send to him at least a shilling, and from this source about £56 was raised. There was no limit to age, tho youngest on the roll was only 3 days ; aud tjje oldest 75 years. In tho matter of e*peudjt»re the utmost care was exorc sod. Any demand made, however j modest, generally got epngidarably cut j down by the time it reached tho Conference. This was necessitated by their limited funds. If only a shilling a head were contributed they could supplement the pregeut graiita t.O Homo Mission circuits by at least 50 per ct>nfc. There were some who contributed moat liberally, ,eyen at great sacrifice to themselves, and he saw no reason why all should not give a trifle. Mr Morley then gavo » n interesting account of some successful Home Mission stations, specially mentioning the township of Birmingham in *,he Feildiug district. The settlers hc"o raised £IOO, and wero assisted with £ao from the fund, and with this built a nice little church, to which they subsequently,

added. Good work was also beiug done at Pemberton and othar places in the same district. They had altogether there 2 churches with only £75 of debt upon them, 3 Sunday schools with 120 scholars, and the gospel was preached to about 400 people. In Otago the greatest assistance had been afforded to poor churches by the mission fund. The people there contributed liberally, but there was a margin left that had to be bridged. In connection with the extension in wilder districts the speaker advocated a system of colportage, which he believed would be of great service. Home mission work required a good deal of energy and selfdenial, but if people entered heartily into the spirit of the workers the results would be of the utmost benefit.

Mr Morley's address, which was excellently delivered, was warmly applauded. Mr John Miles, in a hearty and graceful speech, moved a vote of thanks to Mr Morley for his interesting address. Mr Job Brown seconded the proposition, which was carried by acclamation.

The Rev. Mr Morley returned thanks, and invited those present to join the Birthday League. The Rev. Mr Standage moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, choir, and to the collectors, all of which were cordially passed.

The Rev. Mr Hindes having pronounced the benediction, the meeting closed.