METHODIST CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, 1 April 1920, Page 5

METHODIST CHURCH.

Annual Report

The folio w*ng report was presented at the annual meeting of Trustees of the Masterton Methodist Church: — I have the honour to Bubmit on bohalf of the Trustees of this Church the annual report for the year just ended

We aro grateful to God that wo have been able to preserve our church ordinances Without a break. Wo aro indebted to our leader, the Rev. J. Cocker, a loyal band of workers who deem it an honour to be associated in the redemption of mankind. Some of these aro anything but novices at church work, and it is out of a long and rich spiritual experience they givo of their best to the work of Christ and the church of their choice. An outstanding worker is Mr Z. M. Hoar, who for love of the church, has filled the position of caretaker for 44 years. We are indebted to our band of Society Stewards for their faithful efforts in keeping the wheels running smoothly. Mr C. Beale still holds his office of Sacramental Steward Wo would not overlook the choir, who, ably led by Mr S. H. Ralph, has assisted in every way the service of song during the year. Our organist, Miss A. M. Jones, A.T.C.L., deserves special mention for her services, and it is pleasing to know her voluntaries have frequently been the subject of favourable comment. We cannot let th/.s opportunity go without saying how much we appreciate tho efforts of our local preachers, the number of appointments taken and the quality of the sermons preached does the staff great credit.

Mr C. E. Daniell and Mr J. A. Donald still hold their positions as circuit stewards. They aro both zealous and earnest workers, and to them is due much of our success. The Sunday School still maintains its high record. Our two B, hie Classes are doing good work. We Wish them another successful year. We have to report a new departure n the forming of a Young Worshippers' League, which works in conjunction with Miss Church's Endeavoui Jlasa. The presence of from 40 to 6(. ,/oung people in the front seats of tin ilmrch has helped to enliven the norning service, and has been a real lenefit to the young people themselves. In this d'rection much credit s due to Rev. J. Cocker, Mr It. Mc>or, Mr A. Hoar and others, whe lavo taken so much interest in the /oung people. We havo also to report :ho commencement of a Wednesdaj light meeting, where all those whe ire well and willing enough to attond jnjoy a happy and profitable hour. It is with deep regret we record the loath of the late Mr H. Beale, who :or several years was a trustee of this murch, and was Trust secretary for tour years. Mr Beale was a man nuch esteemed for his sterling Christan character and his quiet generous lature earned h'm many friends. He ,ras an active and willing helper in jhurch work, and was most happj .v'hen assisting in tho progress and welfare of the church of his choice We would extend to those who are left to mourn our heartfelt sympathy ind pray that the God of all comfort sustain them in their sad losb.

For Foreign Missions, this year wo j raised £63 14s Bd, and £4B 9s for! Jlome Missions. _ I We would like specially to mention tho success attending the Ladies' Guild, whose efforts during the year nave added about £IOO to the funds of the church, but it would be difficult indeed to estimate the great good done by the Guild. We are pleased to report that tin; church membership is in a very healthy state. The total receipts for the year were £192 18s Bd, and the payments £lB4 13s 6d, leaving a balance at bank of £8 5s 2d The statement of affairs discloses a current deficit of £25 15s lid, exclusive of £79 repayments to the Building Society, £l7 of which is now due and payable. Our chief item of receipts wa3 church anniversary collections £ll9 0s Bd. During the year we repaid £3l to tho Building Society, also £4O to i. Trustee, be.ng tho balance of £IOO kindly loaned to the Trust funds. Your Trustees hope as a result of the special effort being made this anniversary to raise a sum sufficient to enable them to improve the church grounds and outside appearance of the church generally, and ask your kind cn-operation and help in this matter. In the outside branches of Masterton Methodism at Kuripuni and Solway, we are pleased to report good work and ofFer our congratulations to the officers and people in these places. In this connection I have to report the departure of Sister Constance, who has accepted an appointment at Palmerston North; we wish her success in her new sphere. She will be very much missed in many or our homes—her happy smile and kind heart made her a general favourito throughout tho circuit. We had hoped Conference would seo fit to appoint a man to work at Kuripuni and Solway, but were disappointed, and had to give way in favour of more urgent cases in the Homo Mission plan. In conclusion, we wish to thank all who have been associated with us and have in any way helped to obtain that measure of success that has been ours during tho year. We earnestly ask your support in making th'e year upon which we have just entered the happiest and most successful year in Mastcrton Methodism.