ANNIVERSARY WESLEYAN CHURCH, MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 133, 12 April 1879, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY WESLEYAN CHURCH, MASTERTON.

The Anniversary of the Masterton Church was celebrated yesterday by a tea in the Town Hall, wliicli, was liberally supplied by the ladies o{ the congregation and which was as "usual thronged with visitors,

Later in the evening an adjournment was made to the' Church for the public meeting. The sacred edifice was crowded in every part of the building, On the platform were the Rev J. B. Richardson the Rev G. Thomas, the Rov Mr Slade, Mr B, P. Porry, and Mr Rush.

Mr Rush took the chair on the motion of the Rev. J. B. Richardson and after a few appropriate prelimenary remarks called upon tlio Treasurer for his report.

Mr B, P, Perry, gave the meeting the financial results of the past year, and refering to the debt on the Church made a powerful appeal, to the congregation, to

wipe it off as it might soon be necessary to further enlarge the building, The speaker also said a few words of farewell to the Rev. Mr Richardson. They all wished him God speed. (Applause.) If the circuit had been divided they had hoped to have obtained him as a resident

Masterton, but this was not to be. lie Rev. Mr Thomas was welcome among lem, and before concluding he desired

to express the favorable impression Mr Slade had produced during his short stay among them (applause) and their best wishes for his future welfare. The Rev Mr Slade had been an advocate

for dividing the circuit, but a minister's house was first necessary at Masterton. After alluding to the financial prospects of the congregation, he warned the meeting against free thought and free thinkers and concluded by returning thanks for the kindness with which lie had been treated in the district, and testified, to the sympathy and help which had been accorded to him by his Superintendent the Rev J, B. Richardson. The Rev J. B. Richardson who followed expressed his pleasure in seeiiig many friends of other denominations present at the meeting, He thanked his Masterton friends for the kindness and hospitality

which they had always displayed towards him, and which he trusted they would extend to Mr and Mrs Thomas and to Mr Dellow who though he was unable to be with tliem that evening would be probably preaching in that building 011

Sunday next. If to their circuit they desired good appointments to be made they must make it attractive by giving a good stipend. He hoped they would try and give Mr Thomas a little more than they had given him. He had always been free from financial embarrassment but if he had

not possessed some small privateresources this would not perhaps have been the case. He. referred to the financial state-

ment given by their Treasurer. He gathered that their expenses for the coming year would be—

So that without increased effort they would-., have increased debt, He advised that the' ladies should recommence sewing meetings for the benefit of the Church. The Rev gentleman concluded his address by a few appropriate words of farewell. The Rev. Mr Thomas, who was well received, delivered a brief but earnest address on his ideal of what a congregation should be, He expressed himself gratified by the welcome which had been accorded to him.

Mr Slade said the results of their anniversary were approximately as follows

Sunday collection Tickets sold .. Taken at doors .. Subscribed.. Collection ~

£2 18 9 10 0 0 8 11 0 110 6 4 8 9

£27 !) 0

The expenses would probably amount to £2 9s, leaving a balance of £25. (Applause,) A special vote of thanks to Mrs Gapper was carried by acclamation on the motion of Mr Slade for her kind service in organising the choir and presiding at the harmonium.

The usual votes of thanks terminated a very harmonious gathering. At intervals throughout the evening, the choir rendered several musical selections with considerable effect.

Lighting, cleaning, &c. £18 0 0 Insurance 7 10 0 Interest .. 2312 0 Balance on harmonium 20 0 0 £69 2 •6. And that their income m lid 1)0Rent £10 0 0 Collection 22 0 0 • Proceeds present Anni25 0 0 versary £57 0 0