MASTERTON METHODIST CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10261, 13 June 1911, Page 5

MASTERTON METHODIST CHURCH.

ANNIVERSARY SOCiIL. The annual social in connection witK tho anniversary of the Masterton , Methodist Church was held in th.3 schoolroom last evening, Mr F. W. Temple occupying tho chair. A varied programme of musical items was gone through, the different numbers ! being loudly applauded. The annual report and balance-sheet (published below) was read by tjie Secretary of the Church Trust, Mr H. Beale, and adopted. I. Tho Rev. S. J. Serpell delivered an interesting address, which was well. received by thejarge audience t resent .* Votes of thanks were passed to the committee, and also to the caretaker of the church, Mr Z.'M. Hoar. It was. announced that the sum collected at the anniversary services had amounted to £3B 12s 3d, which was considered very satisfactory. At the conclusion of the musical programme, refreshments were handed round. , * The following was the programme ' rendered—"All Hail the Power of Jesu's Name," congregation; march, j "Friendship," orchestra; "Gloria," choir; Chairman's address; song, Mr Gray; pianoforte solo, Miss Alice Jones, L;A.B.; song, Mrs Edwards;, song,, Mr Clough; speech, Mr J. E. Parsons; scng, Miss Jones; recitatio: i, Miss W. Daniell.

1 THE ANNUAL REPORT. Mr H. Eeale, Secretary of the Mr - terton Methodist Church Trust, read the following report of the year's operations at the annual congregational y meeting last evening:— There have been great changes this year. Soon after our annual meeting, the Rev. C. E. Porter resigned his charge of the Masterton Circuit, and left us at the end of July. The President of the Conference sent us a student from the College. The Rev. C. H. Olds received ajiearty welcome amongst us in-August, and we felt we were in for a good time; and he proved to be a real live man. The September quarterly meeting gave a hearty invitation to thfe" Rev. S. J. Serpell, which was accepted, and he is now with us, and with God's help means to do the lie.it for the good of the Church and the uplifting of our •Voung people. We had also to say goodrbye to Mr Harris, he having lab- . oured the greater part of the year at 'Knripuni. Mr J. E. Parsons was appointed;'in his place, and 1 is,new ' settling down amongst the ; people, and we are expecting great things from that end of the town. ';, We have lost'three'of our members by death during the year. /The late Mrs. Matthews was ah old member of many years standing, and' Mr W. Donaldson was an active member of dthe Church and.Sunday School, Mr, W. Blinkhorne, who has justrecently passed away,/.was a\very N old member, faithful and active in all Church affairs. Our sympathy is with the bereaved ones.

The members' roll stood last year at 170, this year it Has reached 212. an increase of 42 for the year. Regular services have been held during the year at Wangaehu and Rangitumau by our pastor, with the help of our lay preachers. The Sunday School, under the superintendence of Mr C. E, Daniell and his assistant*, continues to do good work among the young people. The infant department, under t,he charge of Mr T, R. Mannell 'and his co-workers, continues its goal work. The Kuripuni School,' with Mr Fi Shut© as superintendent, is still makmg headway.' The Bible -classes and Christian Endeavour Societies aro still doing good work under their rr--.spective leaders. The, week-night meeting held each Wednesday is made especially interesting for business men Our thanks are due to Mr Ralph and choir for their services so cheerfully rendered at the Sunday services, and at any other time when their services are required.- We also tender our thanks to Miss E. Daniell, who came to our assistance when the organist resigned, and to Master C. Tyacke for organ blowing.

section of the> Church to whom we are indebted is the Ladies' Guild. Thanks are tendered to them for their very valuable help in maintaining the up-keep of the parsonage, arid for their help in other directions. The Tru,stee§./Jgn'der, e sanoe.i»,- . tn»nk& to '■. Mi's ; for thV Jiandsome from Building-Society. Turning to/finance and improvement of the Church property, members have received a financial statement. ..e hare' a ■ debt of £499 -16s, upon whichto be paid. a B? - borrowing: £4OO free of interest, £501) -of which is payable by instalments or £1 per fortnight, and £IOO from the Church Building Loan Fund, by quarterly instalments of £5, a few of our friends subscribing £96 2s, the trustees have been able to pay off tinbank overdraft, ;«nd liquidate all liabilities except £4l' 16s, which we are hoping will be quite wiped out after this meeting, and a. good balance left to carry forward. It will be interesting for the members to know the amount of moneys raised during the year :■ —Mastertbn trust, £585; * Masterton Circuit, £420; Masierton Sunday School, £98;" Foreign Missions, ;'£2o; .Home Missions, £35; Ladies' Guild, £5; Kuripuni trust, £34; Kuripuni Sunday School. £46; Pipe Organ Fund, £2O; total, £1263. The • young ladies are still working for the pipe organ, and at the present time have £BO in-the bank.'--'.' You will see that the Trust is in a very good position, for w r hich we are deeply grateful to all who have helped us in the past, and we feel that we have a bright ■ future if you will all continue to work together with us for the furtherance of God's work.