Weslevan Church, Masterton.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3184, 20 April 1889, Page 3

Weslevan Church, Masterton.

Tub annual tea oud public meeting in connection with the above was held ye3terday. About one hundred Eat down to a substantial repast, provided in the sohoolroom, Tho following ladiea presided with their usual officiency at the tables, viz,, Mesdamos Creswell, Milton, Temple, Elliott, Pybus, and Donald, and G, Roto,Pybus, Harrison, Alalloway, and Williams. The after ■'meeting was held in the Church, and ■was -presided over by Mr R. M, Galloway. Addresses were given by the Revs. Fulton, Dellow, and Rowse. ' The report and balance sheet for the past year wore read by Mr Gordon and adopted. Songa by the choir, and solos by the Roy. J, Dellow, Miiis Felling and others, contributed to the harmony of tho meeting, 'lhe usual votes of thanks wore carried by' acclamation. The following is the roport:— , ANNUAI/ REPORT WESLBYAN CHURCH, UASTERTON, 1888-9. In presenting another report and financial statement of this Trust, the Trustees would first of all express their devout thanksgivings to God, that notwithstanding the badness of the times, they havo boen onabled during the past year to pay their most important engagements and *nlp keop thoir heavy responsibilities 'yf'vtoll under control, A good deal of 'Rgjiioney has been raised by our confor which we are thankful. In regard to spiritual things, while . we praise the great head of the Church for bis continued presenoe and help in all our services, there is still much to deplore in the deadness and worldliness of many in the small attendance at the olass and prayer meetings, and also in the lack oi oohvorsion in connection with the preaching of the word. These things often pain the minds of both pastor and assistants. Nevertheless wo look forward for times of blessing and would not grow weary in well doing, Uar congregations still keep up, notwithstanding the losses we have sustained, several families haying removed to other localities during the year. Our Sabbath evening set vices . especially are largely attended by '' strangors, whom we are always glad to\see. "Whilst our worthy custodian discharges.his duty, with great oaro and attention; our members might also lend him a little assistance. We have over 150 sittings apart from tho free seats all let, and more wanted, Our large and beautiful organ is uoiv ■Ruid for, and the thanks of the congregation aro due to Miss Perry, the , and also to Mr Temple, and choir for their important services rendered.' The choir would bo glad of more assistance Our membership roll numbers 77 with about 20 communicants &c, The Sunday school is attended by about 200 scholars and . 18 toaohers. The Band of Hope, hold monthly has a membership of 'about 80, and the Mutual Improvement class, which meets fortnightly, ' numbers about 80 young and old. The ladies sewing meeting takes place fortuightly, and the thanks of 'the congregation • are due to those who have come to the assistance of trust and oirouit funds by undertaking to place some necessary furniture in the parsonage. A lengthy correspondence has takon place during \ the year between the Trustees and tho Secretary of the Loan Fund re the extending of the period allotted . for the payment of the loan instalments on the money borrowed for the parsonage. This has led to a striot investigation of all''items of income ' /: and expenditure—throwing light jkjpon several matters that seemed ''Obscure to some of the new Trustees, . • We find, therefore, that our ordinary - . trust from all sources amounts to .;■'..' £7O annually out of which we pay LSO to the loan fund, in addition to

■ insurauoo interest and expenses, inf""" eluding gas lighting oleaning &o. This is altogether 'apart from the amounts raised for circuit purposes - see balance sheet from which we ■ gather that about L6B quarterly are r«8Bd for this purpose, Our Kuripuni friends have undertaken to build a a now sohoolroom which will be put up almost free of debt. In all this we are under heavy financial straiu, but in a few years the loan will be paid and the property, free from any difficulty. With God's blessing we shall succeed.