Wesleyan Church Grahamstows.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3503, 17 March 1880, Page 2

Wesleyan Church Grahamstows.

ANNIVERSARY SOIREE.

A veiy pleasant evening was spent by the friends and members of the Grahamstown Wesleyen Church on the oocasion of the anniversaiy soiree, which took place in the Church last evening.

The Key. W. J. Watkin occupied the chair, and present with him on the platform were the Revs. Shirley Baker, T. L. Davies, E. Laishley, and two natives from T6nga. The Chairman in his opening remarks, after the tea and cakes had been discussed, referred to the unsatisfactory state of their finances, but with the brighter prospects of the goldfield he felt sure the ensuing year would find a change for. the better in their bank account.

Mr J. A. Miller, the hon. Secretary, read the following statement:—Expenditure : Deficiency at last anniversary, £49 17s 3Od; organist, £5; chapelkeeper, £30; commission on seat rents, £3 3s ; law charges, £14 11s A.OA ; lighting and repairs, £9 3s; balance due on har-. monium, including music, £8 23 6d; ' insurance, £8 ss; rates on schoolroom £1; balance due on liquidation account, £32 5s 6d; interest, £2 2s. Total, £163 103 Bd.—Receipts: Collections, £34 7s 4d; proceeds last anniversary, £14 17s 7d ; seat rents to date, £37. Total, £86 4s lid.—Outstanding Liabilities: Interest to 31st March, (about) £4; lighting, £5. Total, £9. Tuneloka, a native of Tonga and a member of the Government of thatisland, then spoke, being interpreted by the Rev. Mr Baker. He seemed to think a better building should have been provided for the worship of God, especially in the land where gold was so plentiful. He was very much pleased to meet so many members of his Church—all Christian men, whom he hoped to meet in a better world if circumstances prevented their meeting again in this. The speaker seemei a very intelligent man, and his remarks were listened to with great attention.

The Key. W. Laishley reminded the congregation that good times were coming and not to be down-hearted at the financial position. Another Tongian risitor named Walaliwaki addressed the meeting, expressing wonder at many of the things he saw, and referred to the manner in which donations were given by his people for Church and charitable purposes, which was by giving all tbe money they had in their possession,

trusting to God to provide for their future wants.

Key. Mr Davies spoke at some length, after which Mr Baker referred to the progress of Christianity in the South Sea Islands which was most encouraging. He was pleased to find such a Christian feeling existing between the Churches on the Thames, and hoped when he visited the Thames again he would see both the congregations of Wesleyans holding their services in one building. Voles of thanks to the ladies who providud the tea, and the visitors, concluded the meeting.