METHODIST CHURCH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 139, 18 July 1914, Page 12

METHODIST CHURCH.

ST. ALBANS CIRCUIT. The quarterly meeting was held on Tuesday evening last, when there was a fair attendance of church officers, presided over by the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse. The Rev. L. B. Neale, of Edgeware Road, was also present. The church membership was reported to be as follows:—Junior members, St. Albans 40, Edgeware Road 34, total 74; senior, St. Albans 183, Edgeware Road, on roll last quarter 116, members received from other circuits 14, new members 12, tetal 142, being a grand total for the circuit of 325 senior members. The Sunday School report was a favourable one—St. Albans, scholars on roll 155, with an average attendance of 114; teachers and office-bearers 20, average 14; Edgeware Road, scholars on roll 203, average 132, teachers and office-bearers 21, average 18. The at-

tendance at the St. Albans Sunday School was said to have shown an improvement during the last few weeks.

The balance-sheet was as follows: — Income for the quarter £l4O 19/5, expenditure (including a deficit from last [ quarter of £l4 14/3) £157 7/5, leaving a I deficit of £l6 8/- for the quarter. An appeal having been received from the -conftxenee* for financial : assisftaifee in bringing out the Cliff College student:* tc act as home missionaries, it was resolved -to donate the sum of towards the expenses. It was further resolved to give one guinea towards the territorial chaplain funds,- and also to take up a retiring collection in aid of the Local Preachers' Association. A motion was passed heartily supporting the proposed referendum of the people on the Bible-in-schools question. Mr F. Parsonson, who has been Quarter Board secretary for some years, n:ul has now left the circuit, tendered hLs resignation, which was accepted with regret, and a hearty vote of thanks and appreciation was accorded him for his past services. Mr L. Flavell was elected a society steward" and a Quarter Board secretary in place of Mr Parsonson.

A motion of protest against the proposed Gaming Bill, and the increase of totalisator permits was carried. The meeting terminated after fixing the date of the next quarterly meeting, for the second Tuesday in October.« KAIAPOI. The quarterly meeting of the officials of the Methodist Church was held on Wednesday evening, the Rev. P. W. Fairclough, superintendent of the circuit, presiding. The church steward (Mr J. H. Blackwell) submitted his balance-sheet, showing an income for the quarter of £95 14/-, and an expenditure of £99 13/1. Mr Jas. Wylie was elected hon. treasurer for the Home and Foreign Mission Fund. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring treasurers, Messrs McArthur and G. Blackwell. The reports of the Sunday School and. Church of England Society showed them to be in a very satisfactory state. A letter from the Bible-in-Schools League was received, requesting the meeting to pass a resolution supporting the platform of the league. This resolution was passed, and a copy ordered to, be sent to Cannon Garland and the Minister of Education. A resolution was passed protesting against the proposal to increase the days of racing. It was decided to co-operate with the Y.M.C.A. in their system of carrying on their work in the Territorial camps. It was agreed to hold the next meeting on the second Wednesday in October, at Kaiapoi.