MASTERTON WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4700, 20 April 1894, Page 3

MASTERTON WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Annua! Report The following report was presented at the annual meeting oi the Masterton Wesley an Church, held last evening , In presenting tbeir annual report the Trustees of the Church desire first of all to express their gratitude to God for the many tokens of His favour and presence vouchsafed daring the year, It is a matter for devout, thankfulness, tliali death has not invaded the ranks of the workers, nor Ins serious affliction incapacitated any from active Serviced We have lost a few excellent workers by removals to other parts of ■BB|j^ineyard; but tbeir places have either by new arrivals "It has ever been the aim of the Methodist Church to fi-d employment for every grade of worker, and this is one of the secrets of her success, We attribute much of the success attending the work of the past year to the fact that an effort has been made to get every member to undertake some work. The balance sheet about to bo submitted relieves us of the necessity of entering into financial matters here, but we may note in passing that tho sustained liberality of our people has enabled the Trustees to meet within £2l the bill for a long list of extras in connection with the renovation scheme, That amount the Trustees hope ehortly to clear off, After twelve months of church life I nnd work in (ho enlarged church building, the Trustees are convinced . of the wisdom of the enlargement scheme. The results have more tlnm met their most sanguine expectations, i and jaatified an expenditure of nearly | £4OO. The morning congregation ■U, has much improved, and in the even- \ ing the church is usually well filled. PPwNH^ftacomfort afforded by the of tlio seats lias been duly appreciated, and the income from seat rents has increased uuout 25 percent, The Trustees regret that more seats cannot be left 11 free," but until the" good time comes" when ' seat rents will be abolished -may the Lord haßten it—they respectfully request the seat holders to throw their unoccupied seats open to nil comers, and to invite them to enter and take possession. It is well to emphasize the fact that not a fraction of the sent rent income goes to tho , support of the Minister. His stipend 'p is made un by the Church collections. While it is impossible to accurately guage spiritual results,yet there are manifold evidences of the Divine working. The membership is higher than at any previous period of the Church's history. After accounting for removals and lapses, we have added eleven member to the roll during the. past year, One of the most cheering features of the work is the revived spiritual interest amongst the young men of tho congregation. It has appeared for some years that when the "Fathers "—who have for •20 and 30 years gone about this valley, preaching the word-were called home,-that they would leaveno successors, but during tbe year God has touched tbe hearts of several young men, and " opened their lipß to shew lorthHis praise." During the year tbe Circuit Quarterly Board has managed to keep out oi debt. It has paid the Minister bis stipend when due, met the connexional claims, increased the Home Mission Contribution by 20 per cent and doubled tho amount for Foreign Missions. The school made clean and comfortable, has been doing good work, and. the year past has witnessed a new departure in Christian socialism. A young ladies class has been foimed, ■ and meets in the large .class-room every Sanday afternoon, for the purpose'of awakening and deepening the interest in spiritual things. Already . there is an average attendance of • .19 or 20, with 27 on the roll. The Christian Endeavour Society has been doing good work amongst the yOungjjMjle of both sexes, not only in higher spiritual life of its members, but in developing the practical and humanitarian side of the Christian life,

•At the commencement of the pre- ■ sent jeptfi church magazine was promoted by tho two circuit Ministers of tho Wairarapa to circulato in their respective circuits anil at Eketa- ■ huna. It has made its appearance monthly, and 100 subscribers have been secured in this circuit. The Truptees cannot closo their report without calling attention to the great improvement in tho psalmody of tho sanctuary. This is largely duo to tho EclWeoying devotion of Miss William, Organist, and Mr Boagey, conductor, but without the hearty and ' intelligent co-operation of the membora of the choir, both vocal and instrumental, neither orgaoist nor conductor could Lave accomplished Trustees are therefore indebted to all the members of f choir for their faithful and ( ofliciew services, The quarterly mtilitlng has already expressed its gratification at the Conference appointttent of the present minister for a and the Trustees also desiro as heartily to place on record their satisfaction with tho appointment. Looking back upon the past V'sar; wo : are constrained to say, '/The Lord liath done jjrea'fc tblnga for us,'] thereof we are glad" and facing itotituer year of work'wo have no fear Whatever of the isßue,''for never Wert lilt) prospects of this church so bright to-d'ay. £' |F, V 7. Tejiplu, ustees-; Secretary ■