Anniversary Soiree.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3835, 13 April 1881, Page 2

Anniversary Soiree.

The anniversary of the Grahamstown Wesleyan Church was celebrated by a soiree at the school room last evening. After teakthose present adjourned to the church. After a tew introductory remarks from Mr Watkin, His Worship the Mayor took the chair. <

The Chairman, softer expressing his gratification at hearing that the finances had. flourished during the year, mentioned that the Rev. H. Dewsbury had been called away to Auckland, while 'the Eevs. S. J. Neill and ft. Laishley were absent from town. The expenditure of the church during the past year had been within its income, end they were able to start with a small balance this year. He then spoke on Methodism. Some persons Believed in itinerancy to so gi/eut an extent that they would like to see it introduced into all churches. In the case of a minister, for example, who ran himself dry in some people's estimation la six months, what an affliction he would ba if compelled to be kept for three years. And there were such ministers, although the Thames was happily free from' ilv-m, and had been since the establishment of the Methodist Church. Many persons objected, and not without good reason^ to the hard and fast limit of three years to a minister's residence in one circuit. So far as a minister running himself dry in six months was concerned, he could only say, that the sooner such men turned their attention to farming, or shopkeeping, or say mining, the better, "although some of them would cut sorry Mgures in mining costumes. (Laughter.); The speaker concluded by saying he trusted those present would spend a* pleasant and profitable evening, and return to their homes with a resolve to assist the Church during the year as much as they cpuld. Mr Ashby read the financial statement as follows :—

Gtrtthametown Trust Fund account. —■ Statement) of Eeceipts atfd Expenditure between 16th of March, 1880/a°d 9th April, 1881: Receipts—March 16,' To proceeds last anniversary Soiree, £10 15s 6d; to Sunday collections (1C), £21,2s 4d; to seat rente to January, '81, £28Us (5d jto parsonage insurance, refunded by Quarterly Meeting (2 quarters), £5; to loan from 1 Messrs JRolleraon and Son, without jni^est, £80 j to special donations and "subscriptions to repay above loan, £104 Is.—Total receipts, £249 10s 4d —Expenditure : March 18, By Dr. balance last anniversay, £77 6s 3d ; by chapel keeper's salary to let April inr\, £33 6s 8d ;

by commission on seat rents, £1 8s 6d; to repairs and sundries, £11 12* 3d ; to lighting (for eighteen months), £lls 14a; by bank interest to 31st May, '80, £4 18s<2d; |to insurance on church, schoolroom, and parsonage,- £8 53 j to rates bn school-room, £1 11s 8d 5 to repayment of Messrs Rollerson and Son,s loan, £80. —Total expenditure, £230 2s 6d.—-Balanoe in bank, £19 7s 10.

The Revs. T. W. Adamson, T. L. Davies, W. J. Watkin, and J. T. Pinfold then delivered short addresses. Votes of thanks were then accorded the ladies and to the chairman. We must not forget to mention that the choir, under the leadership of Mr S. Viall, sang several hymns and anthems at intervals.