Thames Baptist Church.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3204, 27 May 1879, Page 2

Thames Baptist Church.

AimiVEBSABY SOIKEE. , The anniversary soiree in connection with the Thames Baptist Church was held at the Chapel,-Willooghby street, hut evening. There was a very large attendance, and the tables were loaded with good things. After tea the tables were cleared away, and Mr James Benshaw took the chair. ; The hymn, "We are marching to Zion," having been sung, Mr Tredinnick engaged in prayer. Another hymn, " Now just a word for Jesus," was then sung, after which, The Chairman said it was the tenth anniversary of their Church. In looking around he could see a good many faces that had been present at the time the door was first opened for worship, which was a great thing to be thankful for, as 10 years on the Thames was quite a little life time. Memory fixed the pleasant spots in their minds, while the unpleasant thoughts seemed buried in the pleasant remembrances before it and after it. The history of their ' church here • had been a very momentous one. They had commenced with very few, and though various attempts had been made to split them up, they had stuck together, and they had now gained the reputation of being a quiet respectable lot, and he believed that no church had a more liberar congregation. Although they were not very rich, .never since the commencement had they "hada richVmmer-to givethema £10note; but he was glad to see they had not needed it. "He was very much pleased to state that they had done v a great deal of work in the ten years, and people in all parts of the Colony looked back with 'pleasant'recollections''tohtheir sojourn on the . /Thames,. -The Baptists, had endeavoured to break down the barriers between their and other Christian denominations, and bring all, on a common platform. In their ministerial experience of /the 10 years they had; had four, and now they were —he was going to say-— destitute. They were like a child who had'no;"fiiither"'or"indtherr"bttt plenty of uncles and aunts. They had some thoughts .of certain men to jfillj the' vacancy in charge ,of their, .church, but they were waiting'"and prayihgV and were' in no hurry. He hoped*' however, they would soon have an opportunity of calling their friends together to celebrate the induction of a minister. (Applause.) Mr Whitehead read the: annual report, which showed that the present number of members 102. •■

Mr Jlenshaw read Ike annual balancer sheet, which shewed :—lncome : To collections 50 Sundays, £184 19s 9d: ditto Hospital Sunday £4 li 4d; private gifts, £8 7s; gifts for church improvement, £31 ds 6d; profit on tea meeting on New Year, 10s ; advance from members, £80 —£308 18s 7d. r Jixpenditure : By bank overdraft, £57 4si 2d; minister's stipend (eleven months), £165; gas account, £9 9s; chapel cleaning, £10 10s; interest,

£7 14s 2d; insurance chapel, £2 10s; improvement of chapel and residence, £35 18s id ; Thames Hospital, £4 Is 4d; sundries, travelling, trust deed, &c, £9 la 4d ; repaid to Hindman and James, £5 10s; balance in bank, £20s 3d—£3oßlßß 7d. Assets : To balance in bank, £2 0s 3d ; balance, £77 19s 9d—£Bo. Liabili. ties: By advances due to members, £80. Hymn: " I will guide thee with mine eye." The Rev. Mr Watkin next addressed the meeting. He took for the text of hi? address "He that hath friends should show himself friendly." He thought the Chairman's address a capital exposition of the proverb. It was a capital thing to have friends, and what was the use of having friends if you did not use them. He often thought of that fine book, The Pilgrams Progress,, and ,of Christian's friend Faithful, and thought it was a good thing to have a faithful friend. Hymn—"There i» a land."

The Rev. A. W. Webb, of Auckland, next addressed the audience. He ex* pressed great pleasure at the hearty response given to invitations to attend their tenth anniversary. He deeply regretted the departure of the <Eev^J;;T. Hinton, which how caused them to try the experiment of doing without a minister. There were a certain clasi who did not believe in ministers, and thought it best to do without them. If these had their own way he believed that all the ministers would be tied together and thrown intp,the, Pacific Ocean., He did not think it well they' should alway»t be without a pastor, and hoped they all recognised the importance of the pastoral office, which, he feared, was somewhat underrated. He had been thinking lately that the line between the Church and the world had become somewhat blurred, and was not distinct enough. He then spoke to some length, referring to the inuendoes thrown at the Christian Church by the world. ----- The Rev. R. S. Laiahley expressed pleasure at being present at such a successful gathering. He agreed with much that Mr Webb had said about the blend* ing of the Church and the world, and there were some things he disagreed with. He strongly deprecated Card-playing and dancing by members of Christ's Church, and' strongly maintained that ministers should be men of culture. The proceedings terminated with sing* ing and .prayer.. v